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Plans for a citizen oversight or review board at the Fort Worth Police Department are expected to be shared this fall.

Will Fort Worth Get a Citizen Review Board to Oversee the Police?

By Jacob Vaughn

Jul 22, 2021

The Fort Worth Police Chief said he sees few benefits in a civilian police review board. Others only see benefits.

The Dallas Police Department spends millions on overtime each year

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Wants to Beef Up the Police. Critics Say It's 'Propaganda.'

By Steven Monacelli

Jul 21, 2021

Just a year ago, protesters around the country, including in Dallas, rallied around the slogan. It was on the tip of everyone’s tongues: “Defund the police.” Conservatives were outraged. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed a slate of so-called “back the blue” bills in the Legislature, and in Dallas, budget discussions...

The number of applications for Dallas' annual expunction expo dipped down to 575 in 2020 because of the pandemic. This year, the program came roaring back with over 1,300 applications in just one week.

In Dallas County, a Program Offers the Chance to Clear Your Record

By Jacob Vaughn

Jul 20, 2021

Dallas County's Expunction Expo is on its fifth year and has a record number of applicants hoping to get their records expunged.

Often, it only took this group of robbers a few minutes to hold up a cell phone store and walk out with cash and thousands of dollars of merchandise.

How the Feds Took Down a Crew Robbing Phone Stores in North Texas and California

By Jacob Vaughn

Jul 17, 2021

After 15 minutes inside a Fort Worth cell phone store, a group of robbers walked out with cash and electronics, hopped into a grey Nissan Altima and left the scene. Store employees were left on the floor with their hands zip-tied behind their backs. The robbers knew what they were doing. They’d done it many times before.

Dallas Cred is made up of people from the communities they serve, and many of them know the consequences of violence first hand.

Dallas Cred Wants to Interrupt Violent Crime Before It Ever Happens

By Jacob Vaughn

Jul 15, 2021

Dallas Cred doesn't intervene in active violent situations. Instead, their job is to interrupt patterns that lead to violent behavior and wreak havoc on communities.

A program that keeps undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions detained in local jails is snaring those without records.

Local ICE Partnerships Are Supposed to Target Criminals. In North Texas, They Rarely Do.

By Michael Murney

Jul 14, 2021

During a meeting with several sheriffs of border counties this past weekend, Gov. Greg Abbott said he wants the state to give more money to bankroll local law enforcement in enforcing immigration laws. "Our goal is not to release them," the governor said. "Our goal is to jail them." Enforcing immigration...

Marvin Scott III's family and attorney Lee Merritt spoke at a press conference following the release of the video depicting his death

'Bad Dream': Marvin Scott III’s Family Not Ready to Give Up After His Death in Jail

By Steven Monacelli

Jul 13, 2021

Marvin Scott III, a 26-year-old Black man, died in Collin County Jail this March. The video of his death was recently released.

The Dallas Police Department is expected to answer 90% of calls within 10 seconds. But in June, a report to City Council showed that DPD was only answering 66% of calls within that time.

Trouble in Dallas: The 911 Call Center Still Facing a Staff Shortage

By Jacob Vaughn

Jul 10, 2021

Exacerbated by the pandemic, continued staffing shortages at DPD caused by non-competitive pay and attrition led to falling performance levels at the 911 call center. And they haven’t gotten much better since.

In this file image, an inmate can be seen locked up in a prison

With State and Local Law Agencies’ Help, Feds Again Nail Texas Prison Gang Aryan Circle

By Patrick Strickland

Jul 8, 2021

The Aryan Circle, believed to be the second largest prison gang in Texas, has a long history of violence, including murder, and other crimes, authorities say.

To date, eight citations have been issued to three or four businesses in Deep Ellum, according to the city.

The City Wants a Quieter Deep Ellum, but Local Businesses Are Pushing Back

By Jacob Vaughn and Alex Gonzalez

Jul 8, 2021

As business owners began getting warnings from code enforcement about noise, it seemed to them that the rules had changed. They didn’t, but the people enforcing them did.

MoneyGeek analyzed over 10,000 fatal Texas crashes from 2017-2019, which includes nearly 4,000 roads in the state.

Stemmons Freeway Has the Deadliest Stretch of Road in Texas

By Jacob Vaughn

Jul 5, 2021

A quarter of the fatal accidents were drunk driving-related, according to the report. Additionally, the report found that Dallas is home to three of ten deadliest five-mile stretches in Texas.

In this file image, attorney Lee Merritt is demanding the arrests of the officers involved in the death of Marvin Scott III.

In Allen, an Armed Right-Wing Group Tried to Intimidate Marvin Scott III Protesters

By Steven Monacelli

Jul 1, 2021

Protesters calling for action on Marvin Scott III's death haven't been involved in any property destruction or violence, but that didn't stop right-wing militiamen from showing up armed at their demonstration.

Eddie Garcia has been Dallas' top cop for around four months now.

New Police Chief Eddie Garcia Wants to Spark Change in Dallas

By Jacob Vaughn

Jun 30, 2021

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said the city's public safety issues didn’t get here overnight. They won’t go away overnight either.

The stage was set for the Boone Family tragedy a long time ago as Texas was on course toward the privatization of its foster care system.

Amari Boone Should Still Be Alive Today. But He Died in Foster Care Last Year.

By Jacob Vaughn

Jun 25, 2021

A lawsuit filed by Boone’s parents claims an investigation into his death found deadly practices by the ACH Child and Family Services contractor Our Community Our Kids and its employees.

The change follows others that have recently taken place in Dallas and throughout the country.

Belo Garden Will Be Renamed, but Dallas Is Still Full of Confederate Iconography

By Jacob Vaughn

Jun 23, 2021

Belo Garden will now be Civic Garden. But, there are still marks of the Confederacy and racist figures all over the city.

Despite there being a safe distance between Dunn and the truck, the officer unholstered his gun and shot Moreno several times, killing him. With no one left driving, the truck collided with a nearby parked car.

Lawsuit: Poor Police Training in Farmers Branch Led to Shooting Death of Johnny Moreno

By Jacob Vaughn

Jun 21, 2021

The case was eventually brought before a Dallas County Grand Jury which indicted Dunn for murder. The criminal case is still ongoing and awaiting trial.

RIGHT Care showed positive results and was recently expanded, but when Tearyne Almendariz called the team, there was no one to send out to the scene.

Dallas Expanded a Rapid Mental Health Dispatch Program, but Some Want Longer Hours

By Jacob Vaughn

Jun 17, 2021

They operate seven days a week, 16 hours a day between two shifts. One shift runs from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and the other runs from then till 11 p.m.

A Texas-based militia supporter planned to detonate explosives Amazon data centers in Virginia, court documents say

Wichita Falls Militia Supporter Pleads Guilty to Plot to Blow Up Amazon Data Center

By Patrick Strickland

Jun 12, 2021

North Texan Seth Aaron Pendley, who participated in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, pleaded guilty to planning to blow up an Amazon data center earlier this year.

The new council members will be sworn into their two-year terms June 14.

Dallas Mayoral and Police Association Endorsements Failed This City Council Election

By Jacob Vaughn

Jun 8, 2021

There's a progressive stronghold in the new council to take on issues like affordable housing, economic development, public safety and homelessness.

The recent change in its pot policy is part of Amazon’s goal of being “Earth’s Best Employer,” in the wake of labor issues and efforts to unionize.

Amid Hiring Spike in Dallas Area, Amazon Announces New Drug Testing Policy for Pot

By Jacob Vaughn

Jun 7, 2021

The company said pot use will now be treated the same as alcohol use.

Police

Report: DA Policies Decreased Weed Offense Referrals

Drug Bust Uncovers $1.6 Million

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