Downtown Dallas is spiraling — and the numbers prove it.

In July 2025, downtown Dallas’ crime score was nine times higher than downtown Fort Worth’s.

In July 2025, downtown Dallas’ crime score was nine times higher than downtown Fort Worth’s, according to a new analysis by the Metroplex Civic & Business Association (MCBA).

The MCBA report reveals stark contrasts in crime rates between the two city centers, with Dallas reporting:

  • Six times more thefts
  • Eight times more assaults
  • Thirty-three times more drug violations

The comparison excludes crimes not tracked by both cities, ensuring an apples-to-apples analysis.

“The July numbers highlight a clear disparity in public safety between downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth. When a city center experiences six times the thefts, eight times the assaults, and thirty-three times the drug violations of its neighbor, it impacts residents, businesses, and economic vitality. Our role at MCBA is to provide clear, comparative data so local leaders and policymakers can make informed decisions that improve safety and quality of life,” said Julie Strum , Chief Operating Officer of the Metroplex Civic & Business Association.

Same Region, Two Different Outcomes

Dallas and Fort Worth share the same North Texas economy, weather, and regional challenges. Yet their downtown crime numbers couldn’t be more different.

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Fort Worth’s cleaner record isn’t an accident. City leadership has prioritized police presence, consistent enforcement, and policies aimed at keeping public spaces safe for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Dallas, by contrast, has struggled with persistent theft, violent crime, and drug-related activity in its downtown core — despite years of promises, budget increases, and “revitalization” plans from City Hall.

The Population Gap Is Closing

The numbers can’t be explained away by size alone. While Dallas remains slightly larger overall, the gap is narrowing quickly as Fort Worth’s population growth continues to outpace Dallas year after year.

Yet despite becoming more comparable in size, Dallas’ downtown still suffers a crime score nine times higher than Fort Worth’s — making it clear that local policy and leadership choices are at the heart of the disparity.

City Hall’s Responsibility

Dallas leaders have long talked about tackling downtown crime, but results are scarce. The city’s approach has relied heavily on short-term initiatives, fragmented enforcement, and policy debates that drag on for months — while residents and businesses watch conditions decline.

This leadership gap extends to police compensation. As recently reported by The Dallas Express, the city’s proposed pay plan risks failing to meet voter-approved minimum standards under Proposition U, with rates that fall short of regional competitors. Recruitment and retention challenges compound the downtown crime problem, making it even harder to put enough officers on the street to turn conditions around.

Fort Worth has shown that consistent police presence, accountability for repeat offenders, and strict enforcement of public order can keep crime rates far lower, even in a busy downtown environment.

A Broader Problem

Dallas leaders have long talked about tackling downtown crime, but results are scarce. The city’s approach has relied heavily on short-term initiatives, fragmented enforcement, and policy debates that drag on for months — while residents and businesses watch conditions decline.

This leadership gap extends to police compensation. As recently reported by The Dallas Express, the city’s proposed pay plan risks failing to meet voter-approved minimum standards under Proposition U, with rates that fall short of regional competitors. Recruitment and retention challenges further compound the downtown crime problem, making it even harder to put enough officers on the street to reverse the trend.

Fort Worth has shown that consistent police presence, accountability for repeat offenders, and strict enforcement of public order can keep crime rates far lower, even in a busy downtown environment.

Bottom Line

The MCBA numbers show downtown Dallas’ crime crisis is not a one-off — it’s the result of leadership decisions, enforcement priorities, and policy direction.

Until Dallas’ elected officials adopt strategies that have worked elsewhere, like Fort Worth, residents can expect more months where downtown’s crime score is not just higher, but many times worse than its neighbor.