Downtown Dallas Inc. Launches Public Safety, Homeless Outreach Campaign

Downtown Dallas Inc. is on a mission to maintain an attractive business and entertainment district by empowering a “field operations team” to keep the city clean and safe.

DDI President and CEO Jennifer Scripps announced DDI’s “Dedicated to Dallas” public awareness campaign at a June 7 press conference. 

“What makes downtown so vibrant is our people, and that is especially true at Downtown Dallas Inc.,” she said. “When it came to finding new and impactful ways to tell the story of who we are and what we do, the answer was right in front of us. We decided to feature the faces of the dedicated, compassionate, and effective people who take care of our streets, sidewalks, parks, and public spaces. They truly bring out the best in the community.”

Dedicated to Dallas Campaign

The campaign aims to raise awareness about DDI’s partnership with the city and downtown stakeholders to enhance safety and report non-emergency incidents requiring security, a “clean team,” or homeless outreach services. 

“Hero images” of DDI Field Operations Team members at work are now on display on digital billboards throughout downtown.

Residents are encouraged to report non-emergency incidents — like graffiti, sleeping in public, smoking in parks, panhandling, and litter — through the SeeSay smartphone application. Reports are managed by the appropriate member of the field operations team. 

DDI Chief of Public Safety and Field Operations Larry Gordon, a 27-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, oversees that effort.

“Downtown is a neighborhood unlike any other in Dallas,” Gordon said. “It has a concentration of more than 14,000 residents, 120,000 workers, and millions more visitors annually. My team members take pride in proactively serving Downtown Dallas’ public spaces, including streets, sidewalks, and parks, as well as outdoor events and special programs.”

And while publicizing volunteers and employees who patrol the area is a worthwhile venture in ensuring public safety, DDI also puts its money where its mouth is. 

DDI contributed $500,000 in 2021 to support the Dallas Rapid Rehousing initiative and collaborated with city officials to close downtown encampments and rehouse the homeless. 

Public Safety

Dallas City Council Districts 2 and 14 encompass portions of downtown. 

While District 14 has a comparatively low crime rate, D2 — which includes the Deep Ellum nightlife scene — has one of the highest crime rates in the city. 

DDI operates within the Downtown Improvement District, bounded by Interstate 345 on the east, Interstate 30 on the south, North Stemmons Freeway on the west, and Woodall Rodgers Freeway on the north. 

An annual “Summer of Safety” operations plan was launched in conjunction with “Dedicated to Dallas,” offering things like salsa lessons, movies in the park, yoga, and live music at downtown venues Main Street Garden, Pegasus Plaza, West End Square, Pacific Plaza, and Carpenter Park.

Heather Walker, Visit Dallas vice president of client services, said the local tourism industry is on track to recover from pre-pandemic levels this year. 

“The good work of DDI’s Field Operations Team members helps us to ensure we deliver on the promises we make when we sell Dallas as a premier convention destination,” Walker said. “We are particularly excited about their Ambassadors team, which serves as a resource for visitors to make the most of the Downtown experience.”