December 3, 2020: The City of Dallas, Dallas PD, and DART PD continue to collaborate with Downtown business partners to activate an enhanced enforcement initiative to provide increased and more visible patrols, enforce the ongoing juvenile curfew, and provide additional manpower to curtail speeding and street racing in Downtown and surrounding entertainment districts.
The enforcement initiative launched by the City of Dallas, Dallas PD, and DART PD, and with support from the Downtown business community, continues to make progress and will be in effect through the end of the year.
DPD began enforcing the juvenile curfew ordinance Labor Day weekend, which covers Deep Ellum, West End, Farmers Market, Uptown, Victory Park, and the Central Business District. The ordinance applies to juveniles under the age of 17 who are in a public place in the curfew area from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Downtown Dallas, Inc. and DPD continue the collaborative work to maintain the efforts of this initiative through open lines of communication and constant reassessment of the Downtown area. We have seen progress made towards our shared goals of keeping Downtown a safe place for all.
DPD has furthered their efforts in Downtown Dallas with:
Officers patrolling utilizing the overhead cruise lights for visibility
Increased high-visibility patrols by uniformed officers
Deployment of plain clothes officers
Downtown Dallas, Inc. continues to observe, listen, and respond to the needs and concerns of Downtown. The below highlights are enhancements to DDI services that have already been implemented and will continue to keep Downtown safe:
Daily hours for DDI Security are from 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. DDI is providing additional security coverage at Main Street Garden, Belo Garden, and Pegasus Plaza from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at each location.
Dedicated off-duty DPD officer at Main Street Garden daily (four-hour shifts). As a reminder, DDI funds off-duty DPD officers seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
City of Dallas Park Department has increased their deployment of Park Rangers to provide additional patrols throughout Downtown parks.
DDI has added 18 new full-time security professionals this year.
We appreciate our continued partnership with DPD. And remember, if you see something, say something! You can report non-emergency incidents through the See Say Now app, by texting a report to 972.440.1995, or by calling the dispatch number for DDI Security and Clean Team at 214.741.1151. Please dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
As an update to our message from October 28th about this week’s public safety plans and preparations, we have provided additional information below to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
The Dallas Fusion Center, Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Dallas Police Department Intelligence Unit, in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety and federal partners, are in contact with each other around the clock as they monitor all intelligence streams for possible threats to our region. Significant operational planning has been conducted to account for potential unrest, as well as to ensure DPD is positioned to support a safe environment for those wishing to express their First Amendment Rights.
At this time, the intelligence community is unaware of any threats to the region, including the central business district.
Many of you are understandably concerned about protecting your property, businesses, and employees. We encourage you to remain attuned to accurate information and have resources ready for activation. We do not want to create a perception of an “unsafe Downtown” by prematurely boarding or barricading property. We have worked so hard to reopen Downtown, maintain confidence in the market, ensure safety for our community, and allow the heart of our city to be the epicenter of peaceful public discourse for all. We can all continue to cultivate a positive environment.
We will reach out IMMEDIATELY if we become aware of any threats or changes to known events.
For more information about DPD and DDI preparation, please see the full message by clicking here.
Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) is proud to announce a recommitment to our Field Operations services, continuing to emphasize our priority on a “Safe and Clean” Downtown Dallas. Efforts include an enhanced safety and security program comprised of improved visibility, response, and coverage, as well as more robust cleaning, maintenance, and homeless outreach services. This strengthening of DDI Field Operations is aimed to best serve you, Downtown’s workforce, residents, and visitors.
Public Safety is always our first priority
In 2004, DDI launched the Downtown Safety Patrol to supplement as additional “eyes and ears” for local law enforcement partners, serve as a friendly face of security Downtown, and be a resource for the Downtown community. Over the past 16 years, the team has contributed countless hours and efforts on the front lines to positively influence the Downtown experience daily, including over 90,000 hours of proactive security patrols annually.
Like any long-standing program, after evaluation, listening, and understanding Downtown’s current needs, DDI recognized an opportunity to reinforce our priority on a safe and clean Downtown under the leadership of DDI’s Senior Director of Public Safety, Albert Sanchez, whose experience includes 10 years and sergeant rank with the Dallas Police Department. As of October 15, 2020, the now-renamed Downtown Dallas, Inc. Security team (formerly Downtown Safety Patrol) has been staffed to its highest levels to date, graduating a new class of 10 additional officers earlier this month, and recruiting for another to be in training next month, to bring the total number of officers Downtown to 55. Officers will also be more visible, dawning new royal blue uniforms, brightly wrapped and lit micro-vehicles (gem cars, T-3s, and bikes), and strategically placed security stations will be visible in Downtown parks.
The DDI Security team training program is robust, resulting in highly trained, licensed security officers. The officers complete a Texas DPS required certification course in addition to a DDI-designed training program that includes expert-led courses in situational awareness, de-escalation training, crisis intervention, mental health and substance abuse, and DPD led law-enforcement. In addition, VisitDallas assists with hospitality training, along with customer service and Downtown culture curricula.
Mr. Sanchez stated, “Increasing the number of DDI Security officers to historic levels and enhancing our team’s professional appearance will significantly expand our visibility and position us to create a Downtown ‘where all feel welcomed and inspired to dream big,’ which is the mission-driving statement our team has adopted.”
In addition to regular patrol seven days per week in every area of Downtown, DDI Security responds to calls for assistance directly to dispatch and alerts submitted in our See Say Nowapp and by text. The team is also available to provide courtesy walks during hours of operation. To provide additional security to our Downtown parks, officers proactively patrol each park greeting visitors and reminding everyone of the park rules.
A Safe and CLEAN Downtown
At Downtown Dallas, Inc., we work every day to improve the quality of life for everyone in Downtown Dallas, and that means keeping our streets maintained to the highest of standards.
DDI also funds the Downtown Clean Team, a group of 17 full-time employees dedicated seven days a week to keep the Downtown streets and sidewalks clean by picking up litter, maintaining the parks, removing graffiti, and assisting with many public improvement projects in Downtown Dallas. In 2020, the Clean Team expanded not only the number of employees but also hours of operations, allowing more hours of service since the program was created. And since the pandemic began, the Clean Team has enhanced the aforementioned services and now sanitizes high-touch items in the public space and parks such as tables, benches, playgrounds, and trash receptacles.
DDI has recently doubled our power washing efforts. This enhancement will ensure roughly 500,000 square feet of sidewalks are washed monthly. Power washing services are provided throughout Downtown with a focus on pedestrian corridors and parks.
With the addition of new public spaces and parks, the Clean Team plays a vital and essential role ensuring all spaces are clean, well maintained, and welcoming to all users.
As part of our enhanced services, you will now see the Clean Team out and about in brand new green polo shirts, brightly colored trucks, litter vacuums, GEM cars, and push carts to enhance their visibility.
Homeless Outreach
The mission of our homeless outreach program is to be a steward of Downtown Dallas by implementing a strategic and innovative approach to street outreach, in combination with supporting the homeless solutions community in their efforts to end homelessness. Developed from a pilot program two years ago, DDI’s program focuses on consistent quality engagement to relate to homeless individuals, then refer those individuals, based on specific needs, to applicable service providers for long-term solutions.
Our entire Homeless Outreach team can be found throughout Downtown, engaging with the homeless population in purple polo shirts and a branded purple GEM car.
The team is comprised of an Outreach Manager, Outreach Coordinator, and a Street Outreach Specialist. They are skilled conversationalists with a passion for identifying root causes and building a roadmap out of homelessness for each individual. Through DDI’s program, the team is on track to engage in over 5,000 hours of street outreach annually.
Thanks to the collaboration with the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions and many other partner organizations listed below, we have been able to have a positive impact.
Partnerships:
UT Southwestern Department of Family and Community Medicine – intern program dedicated to building sustainable and innovative programs within DDI’s Street Outreach Program
The Cardboard Project – collaboration to close the digital divide among the unsheltered homeless and scale virtual street outreach. They provide professional emails and virtual voicemails to help our homeless friends gain employment and other services.
The Bridge – created a Fellowship program that provides homeless individuals in the transition unit at The Bridge an opportunity to join the DDI Street Outreach Team. The Fellow’s role on the street outreach team is to use his/her personal testimony to connect and encourage the unsheltered homeless to seek resources that ultimately will end their homelessness.
Homeward Bound Reunification Program – DDI funded program connecting unsheltered homeless individuals to a stable support system via the purchase of Greyhound Bus tickets
“A clean and safe Downtown is the foundation of a strong core,” said Kourtny Garrett, President & CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc. “DDI’s further investment in these programs is a direct result of the continued growth of Downtown over the last decade-plus, and I’m proud of our ability to remain nimble and respond to immediate as well as future needs.”
How to Reach Us
You can report incidents through the See Say Now app, by texting a report to 972.440.1995, or by calling the dispatch number for DDI Security and Clean Team at 214.741.1151.
DDI is working closely with law enforcement, private security directors and neighborhood partners to prepare for potential unrest tied to the national election. We are unaware of any credible threats and local officials predict a peaceful election in Dallas. DDI will deliver accurate, real-time information and advocate for the highest levels of safety for all in our community. I am sharing with you an overview of information and guidance we have to date*:
The Dallas Police Department is working with state, local and federal partners to support election site security and accessibility.
All sworn Dallas Police personnel will be required to be in uniform and maintain a constant state of equipment readiness during the election period in case the need for an immediate response emerges. Response and Mobile Field Force Teams have been identified and are refining their training.
The City of Dallas will activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
As a supplemental resource, we will increase the number of DDI Security officers per shift before, during and after Election Day and will be in constant contact with law enforcement. We will also continue the enhanced ENP (off-duty Dallas Police) program implemented last month and the DDI Clean Team will operate at maximum staffing.
DDI will also continue providing real-time emergency response alerts via the DERT (Downtown Emergency Response Team) system, social media and emails, and collaborating with neighborhood and district organizations in and around Downtown. Please continue to utilize our dispatch at 214-741-1151 or the See Say Now app (on Android and iPhone) to report safety or maintenance issues to our field teams.
If you are implementing preparedness strategies for your building/property, please share those plans with Martin Cramer, cramer@downtowndallas.com, so we can best coordinate all of our resources.
Many of you are understandably concerned about protecting your property, businesses, and employees. We encourage you to remain attuned to accurate information and have resources ready for activation. We do not want to create a perception of an “unsafe Downtown” by prematurely boarding or barricading property. We have worked so hard to reopen Downtown, maintain confidence in the market, ensure safety for our community, and allow the heart of our city to be the epicenter of peaceful public discourse for all. We can all continue to cultivate a positive environment.
To that end, you may have seen DDI’s recent “We Are Downtown” campaign, including pole banners, window graphics, and social media promotion, encouraging support of our businesses and inspiring community pride. Additional window graphics and signage are in production as we speak. We encourage you to work with our team to help spread this message.
All DDI management will continue to be active 24/7, communicating with law enforcement and private security, and remaining available to answer stakeholder calls immediately.
We can’t predict the future, but we can influence the outcome by being alert, prepared, and positive.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Downtown Dallas.
Together, We are Downtown.
*This message contains information that has been confirmed as of 10/28/2020. Please stay tuned to our communication channels for updates.
You may notice that Downtown Dallas’ beautiful and bright skyline may look a bit different over the next 10 days, due to the efforts of an international Lights Out initiative to protect birds as they migrate across the U.S.
Many Dallas Leaders have joined this growing movement to dim “unnecessary” tower lights in Downtown Dallas-led by a coalition of local Dallas constituents including former first lady Laura Bush and institutions like the Dallas Zoo and Perot Museum and scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Colorado State University.
According to organizers, every spring and fall, nearly two billion birds travel through Texas. This massive passage of birds – one of the largest on the planet - occurs at night, conflicting with nighttime illumination. Light attracts these migrating birds, making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings. Upwards of one billion birds die in collisions with buildings in the US annually, according to Lights Out Texas, and Texas may be particularly hazardous due to high illumination in large cities and higher-than-average bird migration volumes. Dallas ranked #3 of the 125 most populous U.S. cities for exposing migrating birds and Houston #2. Dallas is one of four Texas cities certified as Bird Cities, and Mrs. Bush, along with Ambassador Jeanne Phillips and Deedie Rose urge community participation for Dallas to join an international Lights Out effort.
Specifically, the effort calls for buildings to turn off or dim their lights from September 29th – October 10th, from midnight to 6:00 a.m.
So as you see parts of our skyline dim, look more closely for signs of our winged friends passing through!
For DDI’s building members, if you plan to participate, please be sure to email Shalissa Perry, perry@downtowndallas.com, so you will be included in future communication.
Downtown Dallas’s volunteer resident group has created this flyer to educate the public on the benefits of giving to local charities instead of panhandlers. Giving to local charities also stretches your dollar further. Check it out and see how you can do the most good!
Thank you to the City of Dallas, Dallas PD, and DART PD for collaborating with Downtown business partners to activate an enhanced enforcement initiative to enforce the juvenile curfew and provide additional manpower to curtail speeding and street racing in Downtown and surrounding entertainment districts.
DPD began enforcing the juvenile curfew ordinance Labor Day weekend, and enforcement of the order will continue for the next several weeks covering Deep Ellum, West End, Farmers Market, Uptown, Victory Park, and the Central Business District.
The ordinance applies to juveniles under the age of 17 who are in a public place in the curfew area from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday. Some highlights from the citywide Labor Day weekend efforts included\ the temporary removal of scooters, 12 towed vehicles and 1 stolen vehicle recovered and 141 traffic and 182 spectator citations related to street racing. This initiative will continue this weekend and remember, if you see something, say something!
September 4, 2020: The Dallas Police Department (DPD) is collaborating with the City of Dallas’ Downtown business partners to take a proactive approach to ensure all residents and business owners are safe by conducting a special initiative to enforce the juvenile curfew and providing additional manpower to curtail speeding and street racing.
DPD will begin enforcing the juvenile curfew ordinance on Friday, September 4, 2020. Enforcement of the order will be in place for the next three weeks covering Deep Ellum, West End, Farmers Market, Uptown, Victory Park, and the Central Business District.
The ordinance applies to juveniles under the age of 17 who are in a public place in the curfew area from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) continues to observe, listen, and respond to the needs and concerns of Downtown. The below highlights are enhancements to DDI services that have already been implemented or will be implemented next week.
PUBLIC SAFETY + HOMELESS OUTREACH
Daily hours for the Downtown Safety Patrol are from 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. DDI is providing additional security coverage at Main Street Garden, Belo Garden, and Pegasus Plaza from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at each location (168 hours of weekly additional security presence).
There is now a dedicated off-duty DPD officer at Main Street Garden daily (four-hour shifts / 28 hours per week). Also, DDI is providing additional DPD patrols and resources weekly in Downtown. As a reminder, DDI already funds off-duty DPD officers seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
City of Dallas Park Department has increased their deployment of Park Rangers to provide additional patrols throughout Downtown parks.
Safety Patrol is adding 18 new full-time security professionals.
Homeless Outreach Team has grown to three members (Manager, Coordinator, and Street Outreach Specialist). This team dedicates over 80 hours a week to meaningful engagements with individuals experiencing homelessness. Within the last 45 – 60 days, DDI’s outreach team has successfully connected 17 individuals experiencing homelessness to long-term service recovery programs.
We have launched the Homeless Fellowship Program by hiring an individual who is sheltered at The Bridge Transitional Unit as an independent contractor to join the DDI Street Outreach Team during engagements with shelter-resistant individuals.
DDI continues to work with the City, surrounding neighborhoods, and scooter operators to address concerns related to scooter operations throughout the area. DDI is hopeful that additional information regarding scooter operations will be communicated next week.
CLEANING + MAINTENANCE
Daily hours for the Clean Team are 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Clean Team has added three new full-time positions.
Clean Team continues to provide sanitization of high-touch items in the public space and parks such as tables, benches, playgrounds, and trash receptacles.
DDI is providing funding to double the frequency of our power washing contractors’ efforts, and will be purchasing additional power washing equipment for Clean Team to begin utilizing on an on-call basis starting in September. As a reminder, DDI already provides over 250,000 square feet of power washing each month; this enhancement will ensure roughly 500,000 square feet of sidewalks are washed monthly. Pressure washing services are provided throughout Downtown with a focus on pedestrian corridors. Additionally, Clean Team will begin daily washing of hot spots as needed.
DDI has purchased and is installing 16 park rules signs that are being deployed to Pacific Plaza, Main Street Garden, Pegasus Plaza, and Belo Garden. Expect to see increased enforcement of park rules.
These are just a few of the enhanced services you will see from DDI immediately. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming plans and enhanced programs next week! As always, report issues as you see them right from your phone on the See Say Now app, available on Android and iPhone. You can also reach dispatch at 214.741.1151. Have ideas or feedback? Email us at info@downtowndallas.com.
June 6, 2020, 12:35 p.m.: The City of Dallas just announced that the curfew has been lifted. Additional details are provided by clicking here.
As a reminder, there are several protests confirmed for today and tomorrow as well as throughout next week for the Downtown area. We also continue to see pop-up and movement activity that is not scheduled that may require brief street closures for the safety of the protesters and community.
Belo Garden Park – Dallas Stand Up For Justice
Saturday, June 6
2pm – 4:30pm
1014 Main St.
(NEW) Katy Trail – Justice March
Saturday, June 6
3:00pm – 6:00pm
Katy Trail
Jack Evans Headquarters – National Injustice Peaceful Rally
Sunday, June 7
11am – 2pm
1400 S. Lamar St.
Praise and Worship in Downtown Dallas
Sunday, June 7
11am – 2pm
133 N. Riverfront Blvd.
Deep Ellum Brewery – Peace March/Protest
Sunday, June 7
6:00pm – 8:00pm
2823 St. Louis St.
Dallas City Hall – White Coats for Black Lives
Wednesday, June 10
5:30pm – 6:30pm
1500 Marilla St.
Dallas City Hall – Mothers and Fathers Against Police Brutality
Thursday, June 11
8:00am – 10:00am
1500 Marilla St.
June 2, 2020 – Today, the City of Dallas expanded the zone in which there is a curfew from 7:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Please see additional information released May 31, from the City of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department:
Mayor Johnson has signed an emergency declaration giving City Manager Broadnax & Chief Hall authority to institute a curfew from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The boundaries are Oak Lawn to the north, Riverfront to the west, Corinth to the south, and Peak to the east including Downtown, Deep Ellum, the Farmers Market, Cedars, Uptown, and Victory Park. The expanded area now includes Trinity Groves and West Village. City of Dallas is working with organizations and partners in these areas to communicate with their residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. DPD has further asked to stress situational awareness and honoring the curfew, particularly allowing employees who are working Downtown ample time to leave before 7:00 p.m.
The City of Dallas and DPD continue to respect and protect the rights of peaceful protesters gathering within our city. DPD will have a presence protecting peaceful protesters, residents, and business owners, patrons, and employees; managing traffic; and vigilantly looking to remove or control bricks or anything else which may be used to harm people, vandalize or destroy property, or aid in other criminal mischief.
If you observe concerning activity, particularly if it is not a part of scheduled demonstrations, citizens are asked to use the iWatch app to provide images and video directly to law enforcement. Business owners and residents are strongly urged not to take matters in to their own hands and to call 9-1-1 if they continue to see violence, destruction of personal property, vandalism, or other criminal mischief.
City of Dallas and DPD encourages all residents and visitors to be mindful of the curfew and comply to ensure we may continue to keep residents, business owners & employees, peaceful demonstrators, and first responders safe. Residents or employees who live or work in the curfew area should be prepared to show proof of residency or work credentials if they need to travel in or out of the area while curfew is in effect.
Gov. Abbott has declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Texas, activating the National Guard. Between 120 and 150 National Guard officers in Grand Prairie are available if needed.
We are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dallas residents are safest at home and urged to continue exercising personal responsibility and practicing safe social distancing.
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