Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux is vowing to keep the department’s downtown crime-fighting strategy in place, saying violent crime has fallen to levels not seen in years.
At a Glance
- Downtown Dallas violent crime has dropped to a multi-year low under a 2025 patrol overhaul
- Priority 1 emergency response now averages two minutes in the Central Business District
- 90 fugitive arrests, 66 felony arrests and 20 guns recovered downtown so far this year
- Why it matters: Faster response times and concentrated patrols could be expanded city-wide after a 12% drop in violent crime across Dallas
Comeaux credits the creation of a dedicated downtown patrol division launched in 2025, combining mounted units, bike officers and foot patrols into one tightly mapped zone. The department will soon add officers in Polaris utility vehicles to increase mobility.
“It’s showing improvement,” Comeaux told News Of Fort Worth. “I just want everybody to know the facts, and downtown is safe. It’s safer than it’s been in a very, very long time.”
Faster Response Times
The Central Business District now posts the city’s quickest 911 response, averaging two minutes for the most urgent calls. Comeaux said the gains came from shrinking the geographical area each downtown unit covers.
“One of the things is we shaped the area and a smaller geographical area for them to respond to calls,” he explained.
City-Wide Expansion
Dallas police are studying whether the same zone-based approach can cut response times in other neighborhoods.
“We’re also doing a study throughout the city where we might be able to reshape some of the channels to make response times better,” Comeaux said.
By the Numbers
Downtown enforcement totals for 2025:
- 90 fugitive arrests
- 66 felony arrests
- 20 firearms recovered
City-wide, violent crime fell 12% in 2025, continuing a five-year downward trend.
Commitment to Presence
Comeaux did not say whether he has shared the downtown data with Gov. Greg Abbott, but pledged to keep the enhanced patrols in place.
“I can tell you as long as I’m the chief here, they’ll be here,” he said.
Cameron R. Hayes reported this story for News Of Fort Worth.
