Deep Ellum crime: Dallas police creating new unit

DALLAS — Dallas police will improve its efforts to patrol the Deep Ellum space with a new unit devoted solely to the neighborhood, officers have introduced.

The transfer comes as Deep Ellum, a preferred leisure district east of downtown, has handled a number of shootings over the previous 12 months, together with a deadly capturing over the weekend.

Aereon Johnson, 20, was killed early Saturday morning close to Clover Street in Deep Ellum, police stated.

Police have had efforts to extend safety and patrols in Deep Ellum in latest months, in response to different shootings, however the new patrol unit will add extra, Dallas City Councilman Jesse Moreno stated.

Moreno supported the transfer for a new police unit for Deep Ellum. The new unit will get rolled out this fall.

“You’re going to see officers who are approaching people who are perhaps drinking on the sidewalks,” Moreno stated. “We want to make sure that we’re addressing violent crime, but that we’re also addressing quality of life issues that could lead up to something more violent.”

Moreno stated officers “will have a special relationship with the business owners, and we’ll be able to identify, ‘Hey, this looks out of place.'”

Deep Ellum enterprise house owners have stated they have been proactive in addressing security and safety issues within the space. Earlier this 12 months, the Deep Ellum Foundation informed WFAA that there are about 25 surveillance cameras positioned round Deep Ellum, and the inspiration additionally opened a command middle on Main Street in February, the place safety officers can watch reside cameras in numerous zones of the neighborhood.

Jeff Brightwell, an proprietor and managing associate at Dot’s Hop House and Cocktail Courtyard in Deep Ellum is thrilled concerning the new unit.  

“I think that’s wonderful news,” Brightwell said. “It’s that overall feeling of hey, this is safe and well taken care of.” 

Jeff Brightwell informed WFAA he desires extra collaboration between companies and the new police unit.  

“We can work together much more effectively and efficiently and save the department time and resources by having that,” Brightwell said. “We’ve never asked for more police, just more policing. And by having a dedicated unit down here, they learn our unique problems.”

Friday night, Randy Morris, a musician with a new Ellum band, informed WFAA that sundown means it’s time for his band to pack up and go dwelling.  

“I love being here when the sun is still out,” Morris stated. “There are some times that it doesn’t feel quite as safe at night.” 

The command middle has additionally been a hub the place Dallas Police Department, Code Compliance employees, Dallas Fire-Rescue, and homeless case staff huddle to debate enforcement methods for any given night time in Deep Ellum.  

Already, the Deep Ellum Foundation has labored on enhancing site visitors within the space, including cameras and a command middle within the neighborhood. 

Deep Ellum Foundation’s Executive Director Stephanie Okayeller-Hudiburg praised DPD’s new unit, saying in a press release: 

“This is an important step forward and we look forward to continuing to realize the vision set forth in the Deep Ellum community safety plan championed by Councilman Moreno and crafted in collaboration with DPD, DEF, DECA and the Deep Ellum community. We are not there yet and there is much work still to do. In particular, advancing proactive strategies that help us work smarter and not harder and maximize a range of resources not just including DPD’s but private and other city departments will be critical.”

Deep Ellum this summer time additionally re-launched its rideshare “flow zones” for pickups and drop-offs. Police earlier this 12 months started blockading sure roads in Deep Ellum to assist with crowd management efforts.

In this newest capturing from the weekend, police launched surveillance photos of potential suspects within the loss of life of Aareon Johnson.