Public safety remains our top priority. As your Chief of Police for the City of Dallas, I made it a priority to be embedded with our officers and observe firsthand the conditions surrounding New Year’s Eve celebrations across our city.
While it was encouraging to see so many residents and visitors come out to celebrate responsibly, it was also clear that the volume of vehicle congestion on our roadways created challenges, particularly in areas where emergency vehicles must be able to move quickly and without obstruction. Any situation that delays first responders is a concern.
At the same time, overall call volume citywide was down compared to last year, which reflects the hard work of our officers and the cooperation of the public. Even so, the congestion issues we observed make it clear that we still have work to do.
This experience provided valuable insight. It highlighted areas where we can and must do better, through improved planning, coordination, and communication.
The Dallas Police Department will work collaboratively with city leadership, local businesses, property owners, event organizers, transportation partners, and regional law-enforcement agencies to explore parking and transportation alternatives and viable partnership opportunities that reduce vehicle congestion and strengthen public safety during large-scale events.
Our goal is simple: to ensure residents and visitors can enjoy celebrations safely while preserving clear access for our first responders. This will require shared responsibility and collaboration with those who play a role in hosting or supporting major events.
Dallas is a world-class city, and our public safety strategies will continue to evolve alongside it. I am committed to learning from this experience and working together with our partners to strengthen our approach, so future celebrations are not only memorable, but remain safe for everyone.