Downtown Dallas Residents Rally Around Police Officers

The relationship between residents of downtown Dallas and the officers sworn to protect and serve them hasn’t always been an easy one. In fact, it took a lot of outcry and shaming of city officials and a lot of issues put on blast via Twitter and Facebook to get Dallas Police to start focusing on the kind of quality-of-life issues that were affecting the people who live, work, and play in our city center.

None were more vocal than Tanya Ragan, a Dallas Farmers Market business owner and resident. She frequently called out Dallas City Council members and Dallas Police to enforce some of the alcohol sales and public consumption ordinances that were being largely ignored by some retailers in her area. Plus, the rampant panhandling.

Four panhandlers in front of @7eleven 10:45pm #DeepEllum. Boozing & Harassing customers. @VoteAdamMedrano #enforce pic.twitter.com/a7m3tF2xb3

— Tanya Ragan (@TanyaARagan) August 5, 2015

Her relentless campaign, with the help of some city officials, got attention. And it eventually got better with enforcement from Dallas Police. Since then, Ragan has been a staunch supporter of our police officers that patrol and work in downtown Dallas. In fact, the relationship between residents has largely improved thanks to a series of town hall-style meetings in which DPD and city officials listened to the concern of downtown Dallas residents.

And after last night’s sniper fire that claimed the lives of five Dallas law enforcement officers and wounded seven officers and two civilians, the people who live downtown are ever more grateful for the brave actions and response of Dallas Police. About 100 Dallas police stood by approximately 800 protesters, marching against police violence in other cities, protecting them and guiding traffic along the wide downtown streets. They posed for pictures — all smiles, even — shook hands, and posted updates on social media on the peaceful rally.

Men, women, boys & girls gathered @ Belo Garden Park for the demonstration re: recent police involved shootings. pic.twitter.com/gah2Q3tqG6

— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016

#Demonstration in #Dallas pic.twitter.com/YZXXPAOoBn

— Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) July 8, 2016

And then the gunfire broke out and downtown went from a peaceful place with a well-managed demonstration and plunged into chaos, with protesters running from sniper fire, crouching behind cars for cover, sheltering in the apartments of downtown Dallas residents until gunfire subsided, and hiding behind buildings. Some even shielded children as they ran from the shots ringing out between the buildings. Dallas, all of a sudden, turned into a “war zone.”

Tony Street is owner of the Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse in the West End and is also in charge of drawing new members to the West End Association.

“We’ve been trying over the past 15 years or so, fighting, fighting, fighting to change the perception that this is not a safe area,” said Street, whose staff was hunkered down inside the restaurant until well past midnight.

“Something like this sets us back, honestly. Now we have hundreds of people, they walk out of their hotels and all they see is a war zone and it’s very embarrassing, honestly.”

But after today’s prayer vigil downtown Dallas, more and more residents of our urban core are looking for ways to support Dallas Police officers, their fallen, and the families of this violent act.

“Everybody’s singular focus is what they can do to help DPD,” Dallas City Council member Philip Kingston told the Dallas Morning News, adding that they want to know, “how they can take care of the officers, how to donate blood, how to help the fallen officers’ families.”

That outpouring of acts of kindness and love is what is buoying this city, a concept reinforced by Mayor Mike Rawlings during today’s noon prayer vigil at Thanks-Giving Square. He is asking all of Dallas to be kind and loving to one another no matter if they are black, white, or blue, to eschew hateful rhetoric, and to understand that we must unite under the ideal that we can call out violence and misdeeds and still be committed to supporting our police officers.

At the vigil, downtown Dallas residents were handing out cold bottled water to Dallas Police, and many downtown and nearby restaurants and businesses are offering free meals and other support to grieving officers who still have to put on their uniforms and report for duty despite the crushing circumstances.

If you’re looking to join in the support, Dallas Police and DART Police have put together two memorials for residents to visit. You can also consider donating blood on Monday, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Red Cross headquarters on Harry Hines. The original blood drive attracted an overflow crowd, which is heartening after such a devastating event. You can also donate to the Assist the Officer fund, or to the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation.

Otherwise, keep your faith in downtown Dallas, and go hug a Dallas Police officer. They sure could use the love.