By Daniel Keene
As a Dallas-Fort Worth native, I've always been keenly aware of the differences between Dallas and Fort Worth, especially when it comes to safety. Dallas’ reputation was always that of the bigger and more dangerous neighbor – and for good reason. This contrast has only sharpened as our metroplex has exploded in population over the past few years. This growth has made DFW a magnet for business, but with limited resources, business owners like myself have to make strategic decisions about where to invest. Where will we open our next store? Where will we buy real estate? For many, including myself, safety is a paramount concern, and unfortunately, Dallas’s crime statistics paint a troubling picture that significantly impacts these decisions.
Let's be blunt: Dallas has a serious crime problem. Compared to Fort Worth, the difference is staggering. Dallas experiences 7.7 times more crime overall, 58 times more vehicle thefts, and 11 times more assaults. Although Dallas is only 35% larger than Fort Worth, these figures far exceed what might be expected from size differences alone. These alarming statistics not only diminish the quality of life for residents but also push the city's police force to its breaking point. While Dallas and Fort Worth allocate similar portions of their budgets to policing, the overwhelming volume of violent crimes in Dallas leaves its police force overworked and under-resourced. The city currently spends a colossal $42.5 million on our police force. Despite plans to hire 250 more officers, the ballooning overtime budget reveals that the force still struggles to manage the sheer number of calls. Moreover, despite the city's growth, Dallas maintains a police force that is significantly smaller than it was in 2014 and is expanding at a pace that lags far behind the increase in residents.
Contrast this with Fort Worth. Walking around the Stockyards feels safe, even late at night. Deep Ellum in Dallas, however, despite its redevelopment, feels sketchy almost any time of day. The excitement around Deep Ellum has slowed due to the increase in crime, while the Stockyards in Fort Worth is set for a billion dollars in investment, building on significant developments like the Drover Hotel and surrounding shops.
As a local Dallas business owner, the impact of crime on investment decisions couldn't be clearer. Higher crime rates in Dallas drive businesses, especially small ones, to seek safer havens like Fort Worth or suburbs like Frisco and Plano. The economic toll of crime is huge. Theft, property damage, and safety concerns for employees and customers ramp up operational costs and create a climate of fear and uncertainty that stifles economic growth. Right now, there are parts of Dallas where investment is not feasible or simply not as appealing as other, safer areas. If the city continues down this path, these no-go zones will expand, pushing more resources to safer, low-crime areas leaving the city’s investments in infrastructure, quality of life, arts and culture worthless. On the contrary, Fort Worth's reputation as a low-crime city means where the city invests its likely to see significant long-term revenue in property tax.
So, what can Dallas do? Unfortunately, Dallas is behind the eight ball when it comes to safety. More resources, beyond those allocated by its peers, need to go into policing. In the 2024 budget, the growth in the policing budget actually shrinks as a portion of the entire budget. This won’t decrease the crime disparity, and as the city continues to grow, this gap between the two cities will likely widen. The city must allocate more resources towards a stronger and better-equipped police force to address the concerns of business owners and residents primarily by hiring more police officers. This is not just a responsibility it has towards its citizens but also essential for maintaining the economic growth we currently experience. It's time for Dallas city officials to take decisive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and businesses and to improve the reputation of Dallas for the better.
