In a new study on the danger of nightlife across America, Texas has unfortunately landed in the top 10 rankings.
The Lone Star State ranked 10th in “nightlife danger” with a risk score of 60.19 out of 100, according to a report released by Boston-based law firm Jason Stone Injury Law.
The study considered a range of public safety data, including assaults, drug violations, and fatal crashes tied to social events at nighttime across the United States.
Texas joins states like Tennessee, Delaware, and Nevada in the upper tiers of the most dangerous places for a night out, with Tennessee claiming the top spot.
The study factored in nine different factors, ranging from the rate of aggravated assaults and other violent offenses to fatal crashes involving alcohol or drugs. Notably, Texas’ inclusion in the top 10 was driven in part by its high rates of alcohol-related vehicular fatalities.
Tennessee, which topped the list with a risk score of 65.86, recorded a staggering 352.46 aggravated assaults per 100,000 citizens and 2.09 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents involving intoxicated drivers.
For Texas, the findings come at a time of increased debate around public safety, particularly as cities like Dallas try to balance economic growth with the need for a growing police department amid resource limitations.
An example of local public safety concerns is the recent case involving Trevon Woodard, a parolee with a history of assault and burglary, who was arrested for attacking bride-to-be Canada Rinaldi in Dallas’ Deep Ellum on March 23. Rinaldi, who was celebrating with friends, suffered a concussion, a broken nose, and missing teeth and required eight stitches when she was out celebrating her upcoming wedding with friends and family.
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, while the citywide rate decreased by 14% during the same period.
“These statistics paint a concerning picture of the risks many Americans face during nights out, as certain states have significantly higher rates of assaults, thefts, and alcohol-related crashes that can turn a social evening into a tragedy,” a spokesperson for The Stone Law Firm said of the nightlife study.
The study used data from 2023 and 2024, analyzing offenses like pocket-picking, “intimidation,” and purse snatching alongside police staffing levels and traffic fatalities.
The number of police officers per capita was one of the most heavily weighted factors in the law firm study, accounting for nearly a quarter of each state’s risk score.
Taking it back to the local level, Dallas continues to face ongoing challenges in handling crime across the city, with insufficient action being taken to resolve the shortage of police officers needed to tackle the problem.
Voters approved Proposition U in November 2024 to help remedy these issues by mandating the city to employ a minimum of 4,000 police officers. Nevertheless, Dallas has failed to meet this requirement and continues to lack the needed officers for compliance, prompting Dallas HERO to send a notice of claim to City Hall for disregarding the mandated changes, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.