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Dallas’ Smallest District Sees the Biggest Jump in Crime

Chad West
Councilman Chad West | Image by Chad West Twitter

District 1 has the smallest population of the Dallas City Council’s 14 districts, at 77,916 residents (District 14, Dallas’ largest, has a population of 106,927). Yet District 1 has frequently outpaced its larger counterparts when it comes to increases in crime, illustrating the greatest growth across multiple categories in 2022.

As a result, District 1’s representative, Councilman Chad West, was named The Dallas Express‘ “Crime Boss of the Month” for June, the third time he has received the distinction in the last six months.

In January, West told The Dallas Express that he does not believe criminals pay attention to council district boundaries. He added that he supports the Dallas Police Department’s efforts to reduce crime across the city and to assist with reviewing police policies.

Last year, West formed and appointed members to a District 1 Public Safety Advisory Committee, which provides feedback to him on criminal issues in the district and related policies. Thus far, those efforts are not working, according to crime stats.

Chad West Sees a 54.9% Increase in Crime Score for May 2022

District 1 saw 169 more crimes committed in May of ’22 than in May of ’21, giving the region a Crime Score increase of a staggering 54.9%, the most massive increase in Crime Boss history.

The Dallas Express, The People’s Paper, believes that important information, such as crime rates and trends in the city, should be easily accessible to you. Dallas has more crime per capita than hotspots like Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and New York, according to our data from the FBI’s UCR database.

That is why the “Crime Boss of the Month” is a monthly title given to the Dallas City Council member whose district has experienced the greatest percentage increase (or most minor decrease) in crime.

West has served on the Dallas City Council as a member of District 1 since June 2019 and is now the mayor pro tempore. District 1 includes the Bishop Arts District and West Oak Cliff.

Overview of Dallas District 1 Crime Score by Category

A total of 562 crimes were committed in District 1 in May ’22, a whopping increase from 393 in May ’21 with 169 additional crimes. Half of the 30 crime categories saw growth, ranking District 1 first for the most significant crime jump in the city that month.

Residents living in the City of Dallas District 1 got some good news in April, as Motor Vehicle Theft dropped nearly 25% in March of ’22 compared to March of ’21. The unwelcome news for June, however, is that the category made a speedy “recovery” last month: Motor Vehicle Thefts led the district in reports for May, up from 115 in ’21 to 176 in ’22.

“Auto theft has increased citywide,” West told The Dallas Express in April. “The Southwest Patrol Division is using bait cars when they are available and is attempting to interview every person that is arrested for UUMV (Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle).”

More unwelcome news is District 1 saw a major increase in Larceny/Theft Offenses, Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property, Drug/Narcotic Violations and Robberies, Public Intoxication, and Burglary/Breaking & Entering. Reports in each of these categories ballooned when comparing May of this year to May of last, with increases of 61, 41, 32, 21, 13, 11, and 10, respectively.

The Dallas Express again reached out to West’s office to inquire if District 1’s Public Safety Advisory Committee has brought the council member any new information and how the district has continued its attempts to combat crime. At the time of press, no reply had been submitted.

How did your area stack up on crime? Check out our interactive Crime Map to compare all Dallas City Council Districts. Curious how we got our numbers? Check out our methodology page here.

For more Dallas crime-related news, see how Jesse Moreno, Dallas City Council member, was named Crime Boss of the Month for November.

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3 Comments

  1. Jben

    West Oak Cliff. Is anyone surprised?

    Reply
    • D.E.

      3rd generation resident of Oak Cliff (But now the last one left living here,even in the City of Dallas itself?) That part of it really isn’t that bad,his district actually has most of the ‘nicer’ parts of The Cliff? (Stevens Park,Kessler Park,Wynnewood North etc) Try out Oak Cliff east of 35,down close to the VA Hospital,the apts in the Kiest/67-Kiest/Polk-Polk/67 corridor,the large apt complexes around Westmoreland & Kiest,much of S.Oak Cliff or the apt complexes down around Red Bird Mall out sometimes?? And no,I’m not defending him,he’s weak & ineffective,but still he’s a lot better than King or Thomas in the neighboring districts of #3 & #4. (I live right where all three districts meet,but sadly I’m in #4 by a few blks?) Though that really doesn’t say much,either??

      Reply
  2. Gloria guzman

    This is not a surprise. There is not a strong Police presence from what I have observed. Not unless you call them and then I am not sure what is done. Sometimes not too much I am sure.
    There are gunshots at night, loud music partying and dogs barking (of late it has been quiet) Maybe bc of complaints? There never seems to be communication from Chad West’s office. I get my city council news from DIst 13 Councillman’s,Gay Donnell.. and before that it was Jennifer Staubach Gates as she was a personal friend. I hear more from Mayor Johnson than anyone else. During Covid if I called the councilman’s office there was no answer or if there was I was fluffed off and never recd any communication same as now. I am sure I am not alone.

    Reply

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