Audio By Carbonatix
Two days ago we received an e-mail from a “william@bubblelifemedia.com” that insisted, “The gang activity at NorthPark sounds like an escalating problem thats not under control yet and could get worse.” The missive also contained a link to this page at something called Park Cities iPhone Reporter (I dunno — a D offshoot, maybe?) that insisted DPD’s stepped up its patrols at NorthPark Center and that it’s “no longer a safe place to drop off the kids for a movie or shopping.”
Apparently, we weren’t the only ones to get the e-mail: During Mayor Tom’s adios, Dallas Police Department spokesperson Janice Crowther sent out a missive in response to “multiple inquiries in the last twenty-four hours from
the media” that insists “there is no discernible organized gang presence” at NorthPark. Crowther also writes: “Reported crime at the mall is actually down since the first of the year as compared to the same time last year.” The entire calm-down-y’all follows.
Safety at North Park Mall
There have been multiple inquiries in the last twenty-four hours from
the media regarding safety at North Park Mall. These inquiries were
apparently spurred by an e-mail from a mall patron who noted an increase
in young people at the mall and increased police presence as well as
from an informal conversation about the situation with off-duty officers
there. Please know the following:North Park officials report an increase in the number of young people at
the mall, particularly around the movie theaters. The report we have
from patrol and gang unit officers is that there is no discernible
organized gang presence there. The Dallas Police Department’s gang unit
did go to the mall during the week of the Super Bowl as a routine
measure. They made one arrest. They then did a follow-up but found no
compelling reason to continue monitoring the mall on a regular basis.Reported crime at the mall is actually down since the first of the year
as compared to the same time last year. There have been 14 reported Part
1 crimes (not counting shoplift cases) compared to 21 last year. And the
overwhelming majority of the offenses both years involve thefts of or
from vehicles in the parking lot. There have been two robberies and one
aggravated assault reported in the mall so far this year. While those
certainly are a concern, they closely parallel the number and kinds of
crime seen in previous years and by no means suggest an up-tick in
offenses at the mall.In late January additional off-duty Dallas officers were hired by the
mall in anticipation of an influx of visitors coming to Dallas for the
Super Bowl. The mall decided to keep hiring additional officers,
particularly on weekend evenings, as a precautionary measure.It is always a best practice to be vigilant of your surroundings whether
it is walking in your neighborhood or shopping at your favorite
locations. North Park security and the Dallas Police Department will
continue to work to keep the mall a secure and vibrant shopping area
where the public can go with confidence of being safe.
