A Dallas-based nonprofit committed to reducing violence in the city is launching its #SpringIntoAction Summer of Healing campaign to tackle the expected surge in violence during the summer.
Urban Specialists, helmed by local activist and former gang leader Antong Lucky, is taking to the streets next week to canvass neighborhoods in a bid to discourage violence.
“Entrepreneurs, business leaders, OGs, service providers, we’re just calling out the whole city. Let’s just walk in our neighborhoods and show love,” Lucky said to NBC 5.
While violent crime ticked down in 2022, murders were up more than 20% year over year in the first four months of 2023. The Dallas Police Department has been dealing with a significant staffing shortage, lacking the roughly 500 officers needed to effectively police the city, especially the downtown area.
Downtown Dallas regularly logged substantially more crime than Fort Worth’s downtown area, where dedicated police units and private security are deployed.
According to the Urban Specialists website, “[The organization] is built on the proven experience of over 23 years promoting strong families, helping to strengthen communities, and advocating for peace by working diligently we ensure that change makers are equipped with the necessary tools to curb the violence plaguing urban communities.”
In addition to engaging in block walks this summer, the nonprofit also wants to advocate for resident-driven initiatives like conducting wellness checks for youth and parents, organizing creative activities beyond sports, and extending operating hours at community centers.
“We can’t save all of them,” said Terrence Randolph, a Cedar Crest neighborhood resident and Urban Specialists member, according to NBC 5. “We can save however many we save, but at the end of the day we’re trying to stop the killing.”
The #SpringIntoAction Summer of Healing campaign starts on Friday, June 30, with its “Community Peace Canvas.” Organizers and volunteers will convene at Dallas Police Headquarters on 1401 Botham Jean Blvd. at 5 p.m. Block walkers plan on canvassing South Dallas along Southern Oaks Boulevard.
“It’s on us to make our community safe,” Lucky said, “We can’t wait on nobody to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to come save you.'”