Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia has warned that his department will not tolerate repeat violent offenders.
According to CBS 11 News, Garcia made the warning while speaking during a May 5 address about crime and recidivism.
“If they (repeat violent offenders) want to wreak havoc in our city, we’re not going to have it,” Garcia said. “They also need to know that we are very good at what we do, and if they want to continue to do it, they’ll end up back where they’re at.”
During the address, Garcia referred to the case of 24-year-old Darius Wilson. After being released on bond for a previous armed robbery incident at a fast-food restaurant in Dallas County, Wilson was convicted of robbing a man at a retail center in Allen. The 24-year-old was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Seth Abramson, another violent offender, was arrested by Richardson Police and booked into the Dallas County Jail in 2021. After being released on bail, Abramson was arrested this March for allegedly firing fourteen shots at Dallas Police officers.
“I see people who are on bond recommitting, and not in six months to a year span,” Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price told WFAA News in an interview. “I’m talking about a month or weeks.”
Commissioner Price lays part of the blame at the feet of Judges who he believes are letting violent criminals back into the community by setting lower bonds.
Price added that some judges are not adequately reviewing their cases before setting bonds.
“You’re the judge,” Price said. “You’ve got access. You can make a determination if you are doing your job.”
Dallas Police Association President Mike Mata, who was also present during the address, said he supports bond reforms for non-violent offenders because it creates rooms in jail for those who have committed violent crimes. Mata, however, is not in support of letting out violent criminals on lower bonds.
According to the Dallas Police Department Fugitive Unit, around 43% of those arrested for violent crimes like aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault were released before the year’s end. Approximately 17% of those went on to commit another crime.
“It’s that fact and figure right there — when you have 17% of the people that commit a crime get released and go out and re-offend another violent crime, well that’s your problem right there,” said Mata.
