Some Pleasant Grove residents say they fear being struck by stray bullets when they go out at night. What’s worse, they said, calls to 911 to report these and other crime instances often go unattended.
“I want to know whether (Dallas police) is short-staffed and why it takes so long to respond,” said Nelson Reyes during a recent community meeting with the Dallas Police leaders and other city and county officials.
Reyes, who’s lived in Pleasant Grove for 22 years, said he’s called 911 many times to report gunshots. “The police never respond,” he said.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie García, Dallas County Commissioner Theresa Daniel and State Rep. Victoria Neave Criado heard from about 30 people at the community meeting at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep.
García said he understands the frustration but thin police staffing limits his department’s response capacity.
“Sometimes, when we don’t show up (after a 911 call) it’s because we are responding to more serious situations, like when there’s someone injured. That’s when we take eight or nine minutes to arrive,” García said. “The problem is that we don’t have enough officers.”
At least 275 of the 3,100 DPD officers are assigned to the Southeast Division, located in 725 N. Jim Miller Rd. The department is working to hire 250 new officers to get back to 2014 levels when the force had between 3,500 and 3,600 officers.
Nonetheless, García asked residents to keep calling 911 to report shootings or other crimes. Those calls, he said, help DPD to chart where crimes are occurring.
“That way we’ll be able to know where to dispatch more officers to increase police patrolling,” García said.
“I feel your frustration; but we are growing (the force) and as we continue to do that, things will improve.”
Pleasant Grove is mostly a residential neighborhood where about 63 percent of its residents are Hispanic and 20 percent are Black.
The area attracts many renters, first-time homeowners and younger families. Businesses are growing. But at night, it’s considered by Dallas police as one of the most problematic spots for crime, especially involving guns.
So far in 2022, in the 75217 ZIP code area —which includes Pleasant Grove— more than 3,830 crimes have been reported, according to DPD data.
In 2021, 5,566 crimes were recorded, 10% less than in 2020 (6,189).
The most common crimes are robberies, vehicle theft, vandalism and car parts theft, according to DPD.
Isabel Avilés, also a Pleasant Grove resident, said some time ago a stranger was knocking at her door at night and she called the police, but they never showed up.
“I know sometimes it’s hard for you because there are more serious situations needing a response, but we are waiting for you” to respond, Avilés said during the meeting conducted in Spanish.
García said the police prioritize responding to cases involving violence.
Juanita Arévalo, president of Pleasant Grove Unidos, said meetings with the police will continue the third Thursday of each month.
“It is very important to have the most people attending so we can talk to officials, and make ourselves heard to solve the issues that concern us,” she said.
