Dallas voters made their voices heard on Election Day, November 5, and Mayor Eric Johnson affirmed on Thursday that the message was received — loud and clear.
Johnson’s highly anticipated State of the City address highlighted the recent passage of two significant ballot initiatives, known as the Dallas HERO amendments. They included propositions U and S, which mandate hiring nearly 1,000 additional police officers to bring the force to 4,000, allocate funds to pensions, and make it easier for residents to sue the city.
“Dallas voters sent a resounding message to City Hall. Our residents told us loud and clear that they want more police officers on their streets and a city government that is more responsive, more accountable and more transparent,” Johnson said. “And City Hall must listen.”
Johnson emphasized that the measures reflect voter demand for enhanced public safety and greater accountability in city government, urging City Hall to heed these priorities. Many council members and former mayors opposed the citizen-backed public safety propositions, fearing the financial investment may rob funding for other pet projects.
Proposition S grants Dallas citizens “standing to bring a lawsuit against the City, entitles them to seek declaratory and injunctive relief, and waives the City’s governmental immunity from suit and liability claims.”
While Proposition U amends the charter to “require the City to spend no less than 50% of the annual revenue that exceeds the previous year’s annual revenue to fund the Dallas Police and Fire Pension and increasing starting salaries for Dallas police officers and require the City to have at least 4,000 officers.”
Johnson, in an interview with CBS Texas prior to the State of the City address, said the financial commitment to hire new officers was “workable.”
“It does force us to put our money where our mouth is on public safety and I don’t think that’s a bad thing,” he told the network.
In addition to acknowledging the HERO amendments in his speech, Johnson underscored the key role public safety plays in ensuring Dallas’s vibrancy.
“It’s actually quite simple, if Dallas isn’t safe people won’t want to live work or even visit here, no matter how beautiful our parks or how smooth our streets. In order to be a city of genuine opportunity, Dallas must be safe first and foremost. And thanks to our police department, Dallas is safe,” Johnson said, noting homicides are down 30% from a year ago.
He said the ultimate goal is for “Dallas to be the undisputed safest big city in America.”
Johnson highlighted the dedication of police officers as central to the city’s public safety achievements, honoring fallen officer Darron Burks, who was “executed” in the line of duty this summer.
“I pray that Dallas never forget his sacrifice, that we always remember his name and that we are forever inspired by his example,” the mayor said.
Johnson touched on several other key initiatives, including improving city parks and hiring a new city manager, stressing the need for the new leader to prioritize public safety and efficient use of tax dollars.
“The state of our city is stronger than ever,” Johnson said. “Dallas is excelling.”