Kidnappings in Dallas are appearing to more or less stay on track with the figures logged last year, with the majority of victims being categorized as either black or Hispanic.
According to the City of Dallas victim demographics dashboard, there have been 34 kidnappings in the jurisdiction as of March 22, only one less than the 35 incidents clocked during the same period last year.
Some 47.1% of the kidnapping victims this year have been Hispanic or Latino, while 35.3% have been black. Irrespective of race, 79.4% of such victims were female, and the overall median age of victims was 24.5. The youngest victim was 15 years old, and the oldest was 50.
Council Member Omar Narvaez’s District 6 in northwestern Dallas has logged the biggest number of kidnappings out of all the Dallas City Council districts, with seven incidents recorded. The council district with the second-highest number of offenses is Council Member Adam Bazaldua’s District 7 at five.
The only two council districts not to log a kidnapping this year have been Council Member Carolyn King Arnold’s District 4 and Council Member Tennell Atkins’ District 8, both of which are located in southern Dallas.
Kidnappings are categorized as a “crime against person” by the City of Dallas. Black and Hispanic individuals have been comprising the overwhelming majority of victims of such crimes, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Budgeting only $654 million for the Dallas Police Department this year, Dallas City Council members chose to spend less taxpayer money on law enforcement than other high-crime jurisdictions like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City.
DPD has been dealing with an ongoing staffing shortage. The department only has around 3,000 officers patrolling the streets at present, despite a City analysis advising roughly 4,000 would be more appropriate.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the police shortage has had an impact on Downtown Dallas, which routinely outpaces Fort Worth’s city center when it comes to assaults, drug crimes, and motor vehicle thefts. A dedicated neighborhood police unit and private security officers patrol the latter.
