As previously reported in The Dallas Express, runaway crime has hung the mantle of Crime Boss of the Month around the neck of Councilmember Gay Donnell Willis, with non-stop, month-after-month increases in crime, making District 13 a hotbed of lawlessness.
Willis’ Dallas Express Crime Score for September was largely driven by increases in the more heavily-weighted categories of criminal activity — violent crimes like homicide, robbery, and assault, which rank higher in value than gambling offenses and public intoxication.
District 13 saw 150% more robberies and 30% more assaults in September of 2022 compared to last year. Along with two more homicide offenses, the gains hiked up Willis’ Crime Score and left district residents increasingly victimized by violence.
These notable increases in crime in her district during September dragged her across the finish line, beating out the likes of Adam Bazaldua of District 7 and Tennell Atkins of District 8, who each had two additional homicides under their belts as well.
Willis’ district’s descent maps onto a broader trend of significant spikes in homicides and robberies over last September, as previously reported in The Dallas Express.
But that’s not all. Drug crimes and larceny also spiked in the last year, with District 13 clocking 12 more drug offenses and 20 more reported thefts this September than in the previous. Double-digit increases in these “lighter” categories certainly didn’t do Willis any favors, helping to secure her the dishonor of being named Crime Boss of the Month for the second month in a row.
It is unclear whether increases in these categories have anything to do with Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot’s policy of not prosecuting most marijuana offenses or thefts under $750, much to the chagrin of Dallas police.
Still, without some help from the district attorney’s office, it’s not hard to imagine that Willis could retain the title next month and maintain her uninterrupted streak of month-over-month increases in crime.