North Texas Communities to Celebrate National Night Out During Uncertain Times for Dallas PD
Share News:
As National Night Out approaches on Oct. 1, neighborhoods across North Texas are planning festive outdoor events in the name of awareness — but there’s a lot of discomfort when discussions turn to public safety in the ninth-largest city in America.
Less than a month ago, Dallas Police Officer Darron Burks, a former schoolteacher, was executed while sitting in his patrol vehicle in Oak Cliff.
A resident-led charter amendment that many think is a setup to either create a $175 million budget shortfall or invite a litany of lawsuits calls for the immediate hire of 900 new officers.
And on Thursday afternoon, just as I’d sent an email reaching out to the DPD public information office for some feel-good quotes about National Night Out, the news broke that Chief Eddie Garcia is retiring and headed to Austin for an assistant city manager position.
Dallas Councilwoman Paula Blackmon and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua hopped on social media to thank the chief for his three-plus years of service in Dallas and speculated his departure may have something to do with the controversial HERO amendments, which will appear on the ballot in the November charter election.
Council members tried to thwart the HERO amendments, adding their own charter provisions to protect themselves against legal action, but the Texas Supreme Court ruled against the City in early September, saying the propositions “contradict each other, and the ballot language as a whole will confuse and mislead voters,” according to WFAA.
In a public statement, Mayor Eric Johnson and Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said Chief Garcia was the “right leader at the right time for the Dallas Police Department.”
“We shared a vision for a safer Dallas that relied on proven strategies and a relentless approach to fighting crime, and we worked together to prioritize public safety at City Hall and turn the tide against violence in Dallas neighborhoods,” the statement reads.
The chief’s departure comes about four months after Garcia pledged to stay in Dallas until 2027, the Dallas Morning News reported last week. Garcia starts his new job as the top Austin official over public safety on Nov. 4 but a last day in Dallas was not announced.
Johnson and Tolbert said in the wake of the chief’s exit, their “shared mission is clear.”
“We must work together with the Dallas City Council, city staff, and our public safety personnel to build upon our incredible successes,” the statement reads. “And we must begin a search for a new chief who can help us achieve our goal of making Dallas the safest major city in America.”
National Night Out Events
A Dallas police spokesman declined to comment on Garcia’s departure and said there are no current plans for a National Night Out event at police headquarters on Botham Jean Boulevard.
Neighborhoods can register their National Night Out events with DPD to ensure an officer is in attendance, but often subdivisions prefer to keep their gatherings family-style block parties with neighbors, rather than opening them up to the public or media, DPD Senior Corporal Brian Martinez explained.
With that said, we did find one NNO event advertised for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Willis Winters Park Pavilion in Dallas.
Those who live in Dallas neighborhoods should keep an eye on social media for event announcements, Martinez added. Dallas City Council members also occasionally host gatherings for National Night Out that are advertised in their district newsletters. Zarin Gracey advertised one such NNO event in his district at 4150 Independence Drive.
National Night Out Events in the ‘Burbs
Lancaster — A huge celebration is planned in Lancaster on Oct. 1, featuring food, music, giveaways, and of course, a bounce house. According to the Lancaster NNO webpage, the event is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness: By bringing residents together, NNO helps raise awareness about crime and drug prevention strategies, making neighborhoods safer for everyone.
- Generate support for local anti-crime programs: Participation in NNO events encourages residents to get involved in local anti-crime initiatives, fostering a collaborative effort to reduce crime.
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships: NNO provides an opportunity for neighbors to get to know one another and build a sense of community, while also strengthening relationships with local law enforcement.
- Send a message to criminals: The collective participation in NNO activities demonstrates to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and determined to fight back against crime.
The centralized location for Lancaster National Night Out and start time of the event had not been posted at press time.
Wylie — A National Night Out event is planned for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Olde City Park in Historic Downtown Wylie.
Collin County — The Collin County community’s National Night Out includes public safety displays and activities, free hot dogs, chips, and drinks, bounce houses, pony rides, face painting, Back the Blue stickers, helicopter landing (pending availability), and a brief fireworks display at the evening’s end, according to the City website.
“Our goal is to unite the community and raise awareness of crime prevention in Wylie,” said Community Relations Officer Alexandra Waters. “We continue to promote a strong community network of active, involved citizens, working hand in hand with the police to keep the crime rate dropping lower and lower.”
Plano — Plano celebrates National Night Out, encouraging neighbors to connect with each other and with local law enforcement.
“The primary purpose of National Night Out is to get neighbors to leave their front porch lights on, showing their support with their local police departments in the fight against crime,” Plano officials said in a press release. “Neighbors are encouraged to get out of their houses and meet other neighbors in the area and get to know them.”
Is your neighborhood celebrating National Night Out with festivities? Let us know in the comments.
