AT&T CEO John Stankey has been in the crosshairs of Dallas residents following recent reports that the company’s leaders have opposed new laws aimed at revitalizing and securing downtown Dallas.

The company’s head has opposed some new laws to help fight crime in Dallas, despite AT&T’s own concerns over rampant copper theft, homeless encampments, and surging crime rates.

The specific laws in question are House Bill 4078 and its Senate companion SB 2594. Both propose a sweeping overhaul of how Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) in major cities like Dallas are managed and funded, as previously covered by DX.

Backed by a collection of bipartisan political leaders, the bills promise a 250% increase in PID funding and a restructured board with “broader” representation. This would allow city, county, and state officials—along with big local property owners—to shape how funds are spent. Hopefully, the push would create a new focus on public safety, sanitation, and support for the homeless in DFW.

AT&T, headquartered in downtown Dallas and long considered a pillar of the city’s business corridor, has publicly decried the crime crisis gripping the area. Last year, the company began offering rewards for tips on copper wire thefts after outages left vulnerable residents without emergency access, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

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AT&T Texas’ Vice President of External Affairs Michael Peterson warned at the time that such crimes “imperil the lives and livelihoods” of their customers. The company would go on to offer a $10,000 reward in 2024 for information on copper thefts in Dallas after a large theft temporarily shut down their networks.

Yet Peterson quietly lobbied against the proposed PID reforms, an effort that some in the city may say contradicts AT&T’s public stance on improving downtown safety.

The rising crime in downtown Dallas has not only frustrated city officials but has also taken a toll on AT&T’s employees. According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group commissioned for Downtown Dallas Inc., violent crime in downtown Dallas surged by 42% from 2019 to 2023, exacerbating fears among workers and residents alike.

One AT&T employee, Lisa Diane (@mslisadiane on X), voiced these concerns publicly, stating, “This is Why AT&T is leaving Downtown Dallas there just looking for us a Building🏢 I want even Got out to eat during lunch time anymore because of the crime in Downtown Dallas.” Diane’s comment reflects a growing sentiment among downtown workers, who feel increasingly unsafe amid incidents like the one she referenced—a violent attack by a homeless man on a woman.

This incident, coupled with the significant uptick in violent crime, underscores the urgency of addressing safety concerns that may be driving major employers like AT&T to reconsider their presence in the area.

The Dallas Express reached out to Stankey for comment on the company’s opposition to HB 4078 and whether it aligns with AT&T’s stated concerns for public safety and business stability in downtown Dallas. As of the time of publication, after multiple attempts to contact the company’s leaders, no response has been received.

Supporters of the bill, including State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano), who authored HB 4078, argue that the measure is designed to empower PIDs to do more of the work AT&T and others have said is desperately needed: enforcing cleanliness standards, boosting visible security around the city, and addressing homelessness in a way that restores downtown’s reputation as a safe economic hub.

For now, a question lingers: If crime, theft, and disorder threaten AT&T’s network and customers, why would the company work against a bill that aims to fix the root causes?

With downtown Dallas’ future teetering on the edge of instability, many residents and business owners deserve an answer.