To

the Downtown Dallas community:

Late Wednesday, the Dallas Police Department (DPD) announced the first in what we expect will be
many arrests related to the K2 issue that has caused tremendous impact on our Downtown
neighborhoods. Yesterday morning, video of the suspect in the Hoff carjacking case was released. And
just this morning, another K2-related arrest was made. We applaud DPD for their responsiveness to
these issues and urge continued aggressive pursuit to send a message that Downtown will not tolerate
this type of threat to our community.

It was that same message of no tolerance that was heard Monday night as we came together to
discuss collective action toward addressing public safety. I thank everyone who attended to provide
valuable feedback, which our team at Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) has assembled and will continue to
work with you to effect positive change. I also would like to thank Council Members Philip Kingston,
District 14, and Adam Medrano, District 2, for their participation and ongoing diligence with public
safety issues.

Residential growth is the key to Downtowns future. Just 20 years ago, there were 200 people living
Downtown. Now, there are over 9,000 residents living in the core and over 45,000 living within 2.5
miles. Downtown residents are the talent pool corporations are chasing. Residents are birthing new
businesses and giving life to our streets. We must protect this growth by first and foremost protecting
the safety of our citizens. As such, DDIs number one priority is always public safety, recognizing that
without meeting that basic human need, everything else we are working toward is for naught.

Our goal Monday night was primarily to open lines of communication as a starting point for future
collaborative action. We also wanted to share some information that is often unknown to ensure the
community is fully aware of the resources available. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate
some of that information, followed by a summary of priorities from Mondays meeting.

DDIs role in public safety is threefold:

We are an advocate. In partnership with the community, we leverage our relationships and expertise to
make recommendations, create programs, and influence agencies that have the capacity, policy, and
regulatory control and enforcement power to directly address public safety issues. This includes our
partners such as the DPD, City of Dallas, DART, the County, and the State. We make it a priority to effect
change, work collaboratively, and hold these organizations accountable for actions that are in the best
interest of the entire Downtown community. In this capacity, we have directly influenced:

DPDs creation of First Watch shift, which added a dedicated patrol of 25 officers to the Central
Business District overnight between the hours of 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. (2015)
State legislative changes elevating Burglary of Motor Vehicle offenses from a misdemeanor to a
felony. (2009)
Amendments to local law to create a no tolerance policy on panhandling in Downtown, making
it illegal to panhandle in specified zones, including the Central Business District, Deep Ellum,
Victory Park, and Uptown. (2011)
Agreements with all Downtown liquor and convenience stores to not sell high-alcohol content
single beer and wine. The Downtown Safety Patrol conducts bi-weekly audits at each location to
ensure stores are adhering to the agreement. (2010)

Creation and ongoing operation of the Impact Offender initiative with the District Attorney,
DPD, County Jail, and judges to ensure career criminals are held on bond, prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law, and that plea bargains are not an option. (2010)

We are a facilitator and a vehicle for communication. We work in tandem with neighborhood groups
such as the Downtown Residents Council, Downtown Dallas Neighborhood Association, CBD
Neighborhood Coalition, and others in adjacent neighborhoods to not only communicate our own
initiatives, but also promote cooperation. Because of our diverse membership and partnerships with
other like-minded organizations, we are able to connect conversations between residents, the business
community, and agencies like DART, City of Dallas, and the County. The Downtown community is no
longer segmented - all of these interests come together to advance our neighborhoods.

If you are not already plugged in, here are some ways to get involved:

DDI directly manages communications to Dallas Emergency Response Team (DERT) members
including notifications of emergencies, street closures, DART issues, special events, critical
incidents, and weather alerts. DERT members are primarily property managers and security
directors for each Downtown residential and commercial building.
DDI and our Downtown Safety Patrol work directly with businesses, corporations, hotels, and
merchants to provide escorts for their employees and patrons upon request, offer safety tips,
and conduct safety audits and seminars.
DDI has multiple information resources for residents, businesses, and those generally interested
in Downtown. We produce communications ranging from things to do to the latest
development news, as well as the latest information on critical issues facing our community.
Follow us on social media, and you can also sign up according to your interests for newsletters
and communications on our web site.

We proactively work every day to maintain a safe neighborhood Downtown. DDIs number one priority
is public safety. From creating the Downtown Safety Patrol (DSP) more than ten years ago to our
programs related to lighting and vagrancy, over two-thirds of our budget is allocated to public safety and
maintenance initiatives.

The DSP is on patrol and available Sunday - Thursday 6:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Friday/Saturday
6:30 a.m. - midnight. The DSP dispatch number is 214.741.1151. Officers are available for
escorts and to supplement the DPD.
DDI employs an off-duty DPD officer during DSP hours of operation.
We fund the Homeward Bound program, which reunites homeless individuals with their
families. Since its inception in 2008, over 2,000 individuals have been reunited with family.
Each year, DDI fulfills equipment requests from DPD including bicycles, bait car equipment, and
additional technology to enhance officers ability to be effective Downtown.
DDI established an ongoing task force comprised of DPD, DART Police, El Centro, Greyhound,
and DSP that addresses current issues like the most recent K2 epidemic to ensure a multipronged approach to our most critical threats.
DDI created the Lights Out initiative, whereby our DSP checks 1,500 lights Downtown every
two weeks. Lights found to be out are reported to Oncor and the City of Dallas, with an
agreed repair time of no more than three business days.

DSP, Clean Team, and Crisis Intervention partner weekly to clear and clean up encampments
within the Downtown Improvement District. They engage homeless and direct them to
appropriate services.

Because of our position and history as a steward for the Downtown community, Monday nights
meeting was critical. It is the type of communication shared that evening that shapes our programs and
directs our partnerships with other agencies. In our role as a facilitator, it was our intent to first open a
direct line of communication between residents and the DPD. As was discussed at the meeting, we will
hold several more sessions, collectively assembling a transparent and specific action plan. As an
advocate, we will take that plan and, along with the community, hold all parties involved accountable.
Finally, as an active participant in public safety efforts, we are identifying additional initiatives that we
can directly undertake that are within the mission and capacity of this organization to act immediately.

With regard to specific takeaways from Monday night, we have assembled a list of what we heard as
priorities. Again, I want to make the point that the intent is to move forward collaboratively, and that
DDI is serving as a facilitator to plan with the community. Additional work will be done quickly to
assemble short term and long term solutions into a community action plan. It is also worth noting that
Downtown Dallas, Inc. empowers and encourages its entire executive staff to collaborate and make
decisions and recommendations on our behalf, as was done Monday night. Most do, or have, lived
Downtown, and care deeply about these revitalization efforts and have specific expertise to address
many of these issues.

From Monday nights meeting, weve initially identified the following priority actions:

1. Residential Property Safety Audits: DDI will reach out to residential property managers over the
next 45 days to offer coordination assistance to conduct DPD-led safety audits of their buildings,
including parking garages. This will include an emergency access plan for police and fire and
recommendations from DPD to improve personal safety of residents.

2. Residential Property Code Amendments: Public policy leaders will explore the possibility of
amending building code for multi-family properties to raise standards for lighting, security and
access.

3. Ongoing Community Collaboration: DDI will coordinate quarterly meetings (more often as
needed) to serve as a forum for public safety collaboration. Additional invitees to add to the
base of residents at the first meeting will include: DART; The Bridge; Oncor property owners,
managers, and security directors; merchant businesses; and other concerned employers. The
next meeting will be held on February 15 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Alto 211, 8th Floor. The
agenda will include an update on progress on this initial action list, as well as a refinement of
the community action plan.

4. DART and DPD Communication: Several concerns over the communication between DART and
DPD were expressed, including statistical reporting and call response. DDI has convened a
meeting with DART and DPD the first week in February to facilitate identifying and solving these
issues.

5. Neighborhood Crime Watch: DDI will host a series of workshops beginning in the next 30 days
led by the DPD to offer Downtown-area neighborhood groups, building associations, and the
overall community the opportunity to develop and establish a neighborhood crime watch
program, building off of the success of the established Farmers Market Crime Watch.

6. Lighting and Sidewalks: Though significant progress has been made to improve lighting and
walkability, dark spots and broken sidewalks still exist in Downtown. Short term, DDI will work
with residents to identify quick win projects that can be implemented quickly with available
resources. DDI will also engage Oncor in the conversation. Longer term, the Downtown Dallas
360 plan is addressing many of these infrastructure issues to assist in setting priorities for future
bond funds. DDI has engaged an engineering firm to assess all sidewalks in the CBD. This
information will be used to prioritize sidewalk repairs as funding becomes available.

7. Merchant Safety Seminars: Over the next 30 days, DPD has offered to visit with Downtown
merchant businesses to provide safety tips for employees as well as security audits of their
establishments. Contact us if you have interest in this program and we will connect you with
DPD coordinators.

8. No Panhandling Campaign: DDI will reinvigorate its panhandling awareness campaign that is
aimed at educating the public as to better ways to give, as well as the no panhandling law.
Businesses may request the DDI No Panhandling posters by emailing
info@downtowndallas.com.

9. Lasting Solutions to Address Panhandling, Vagrancy, and Homelessness: These are three distinct
issues that require a comprehensive approach including regulation, enforcement, and social
services. DDI encourages public policy leaders, related agencies, social service providers, and the
community to refocus on solution-based planning that looks at the entire city as a whole.

Again, please mark your calendar for the next Downtown Public Safety Forum to participate in the
further development of this community action plan. Several of these items are already progressing,
and updates will be provided in the interim as well.

I hope to see you on Monday, February 15th, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Alto 211, 8th floor.


Thank you,



John F. Crawford, President & CEO and the entire Downtown Dallas, Inc. team

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About Downtown Dallas, Inc.

Downtown Dallas, Inc. is the primary advocate, champion, and steward for Downtown, effecting change
by developing strategies, setting targets, and mobilizing resources that:
Stimulate a vibrant and sustainable Downtown environment
Improve infrastructure
Enhance economic competitiveness
Create a culturally inclusive urban center
Position the area as a global destination

Our program areas include: public safety; capital improvements; maintenance; economic development;
public policy; planning/transportation; and marketing. For more information, visit
www.downtowndallas.com