I want to welcome you to the Dallas Police Department Website. The Southwest Patrol Division is the second largest of the six patrol divisions in size and population and currently has 47 geographical beats.
I am excited about the momentum that is building throughout the beautiful, diverse communities of Oak Cliff. We have many challenges ahead of us but we can make progress in transforming our neighborhoods into safe, clean environments for all of us to live, work, and play. Working together, our goal for 2005 is to reduce murders by 20% and total crime by 10%. We can reach that goal if all of us participate in active crime watch groups or have the opportunity to start a new crime watch, and then not hesitating to report suspicious activity that could be related to drugs, gangs, or other type of illegal activity. Some of the best arrests that our police officers have made recently have been based on anonymous tips.
I encourage the owners and/or property managers of our multifamily complexes to become involved in our monthly apartment managers’ meetings. It is a great networking opportunity with interesting speakers. Learn from others the best practices that have lead to reducing criminal activity in apartment complexes.
Education, motivation, organization, and mobilization are key components in fighting crime:
Education – our Department has material on numerous crime prevention tips and initiatives that have worked nationwide. Regularly return to our website for updated information on crime prevention advice and crime statistics.
Motivation – 10% of our community is actively involved in trying to make a difference in our neighborhoods. We have to encourage and support that 10% in encouraging the rest of the citizens that this is one of the most important tools in fighting crime. You have to reduce the tolerance level for disorderly, crime breeding conditions.
Organization – the Dallas Police Department is here to help in your efforts of organizing crime watch meetings. I have promised that every effort will be made to have a member of the Southwest Patrol Division at your meetings; of course, there will be unforeseen circumstances that might prohibit attendance.
Mobilization – block parties, volunteers in patrols, safety fairs, community parades, town hall meetings and workshops are some activities that successful crime watch groups use in becoming vocal, powerful agents of positive change.
We will continue to improve upon our response time and continue the geographic responsibility strategy that we believe can impact crime. Thank you for your interest in fighting crime and the men and women of the Dallas Police Department look forward to working with all of you.
Best regards,
Deputy Chief Vernon Hale
