In a series of tense meetings over the past month, reports have emerged that downtown Dallas landowners are frustrated with the actions of Dallas’ downtown PID leadership.
Jennifer Scripps, the CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc., is under particular scrutiny as violent crime has risen in downtown during her tenure, coinciding with the departure of several major brands.
In a landmark report commissioned by DDI, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reviewed crime and economic factors and reached troubling conclusions.
These conclusions came amid several notable events, such as the panic at a recent cheerleading convention downtown that saw parents and children fleeing the convention center, the high-profile departure of Bank of America, and the national news coverage of Neiman Marcus’ announcement of their intent to leave the city. Neiman’s decision has since been stayed as city leaders very publicly swept in where downtown’s leaders had failed.
Passages in the BCG report contain remarkable conclusions, surely rattling some city landowners, and include the following:
- A 42% increase in violent crime downtown.
- Parks and downtown landmarks are hotspots for crime.
- Motor vehicle theft has more than doubled.
- Property crimes are an increasing percentage of crimes.
- Repeat offenders are on the rise.
- Arrests are down.
- Quality of life violations increased by 20% in the past year, with 60% of these crimes occurring in our public parks.
Amidst this recent increase in crime, landowners downtown are caught in the middle. They are represented by Scripps of the downtown PID, a noted status quo advocate.
Reports indicate that Scripps is actively opposing a legislative reform aimed at providing organizations like hers with increased funding for security and beautification, as well as enhanced accountability from local stakeholders.