Dallas is also known as the D city and is considered to be the heart of Texas. It has a well-developed economy, a large population and modern infrastructure. But like any other large city, Dallas has its problems. One of the most important is a fairly high level of poverty and crime. Anyone who plans to visit the D city should know the dangerous places to avoid. Read more on dallas-yes.
Crime rate statistics in Dallas
The most authoritative source for researching crime statistics in Dallas is the resources of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to their publications, more than 60,000 offenses were recorded in the city in 2022 alone. Taking into account the number of city residents, this is approximately 46 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants.
For comparison, in Texas itself, the average is only 28. Thus, the criminal situation in Dallas does not look rosy at all. If we also take into account that the city of D is ranked 42nd in the list of the deadliest cities in the world according to the results of research by the American television and radio network CBS, it seems that you should not come there at all.
However, the results of social surveys regularly conducted among local residents can dispel the horror of the statistics. In 2023, the analytical company Niche.com asked Dallas residents if they felt safe. The overwhelming majority of citizens said yes. Some of them noted that this is solely due to the fruitful work of law enforcement agencies. Responding to crime is as important as fighting it.
The most dangerous areas of the city
The Dallas Police Department has divided the city into targeted action areas (TAAGs). The neighborhoods at the top of the list have the highest rates of crime, drugs and poverty. Therefore, it is important to know their location and features.
- Five Points. The most densely populated and most dangerous neighborhood in the city. For many years, it has been a leader in terms of crime rates. The Dallas Police Department even created a new task force to increase the number of patrol officers in the area. It is worth noting that the neighborhood is dangerous not only because of criminal incidents. Many deaths occur at the difficult intersection of Highway 352 and Scyene Road in the area.
- Ross-Bennett Grid. This neighborhood has become home to robbers and street drug dealers. In 2016, there was a 20% increase in crime in three months. Because of this, Ross-Bennett Grid is called the most violent place in Dallas.
- Forest Lane and Audelia Road. Burglaries, street robberies, armed attacks – all of this has caused residents of this area of the city to be extremely cautious and take care of their lives.
- Sand Branch. In the media, you can often see that this neighborhood is called “forgotten.” But it’s not completely empty, it’s just that the poorest citizens live here. They live off social insurance and disability payments. Poverty has driven them to the point where they are capable of any conflict to get some extra money.
- Fair Park. A neighborhood with a high level of crime and tension. It is impossible to live there if you have aspirations for a better future. The danger from criminals was made worse by packs of stray dogs. In May 2023, a homeless woman was found in an abandoned building and mauled to death by the dogs.
- Jim Miller Road. This area is called the “black eye” of the city. Because tons of garbage is transported along the roads of the neighborhood, homeless people gather here. It’s easy to attract their attention if you’re even a little different from them.
Dallas gangs
Dallas was home to many notorious gangs. For example, documents from 1910 show that the Piranio family lived on Main Street. They were better known as the Dallas Mafia. From generation to generation for many years, every member of their family was involved in criminal activities.
Drug trafficking, casinos, brothels – all of these belonged to members of the Dallas Mafia. In addition, they also had their own construction business, where racketeering against employees flourished. The history of the city’s mafia came to an end in the 1970s. But they were replaced by no less terrible groups.
The so-called Venezuelan gangsters are committing lawlessness. First, they illegally crossed the border, and then began to wreak havoc in one of the city’s neighborhoods, Villa Dallas. It used to be an ordinary residential neighborhood, but in a matter of months the gang turned it into an exclusion zone. Couples try to avoid it in every way possible to prevent their children from being in danger.
In 2023, Venezuelan gangsters brutally beat a man, an ordinary resident of the Villa Dallas neighborhood. They filmed their crime and posted it online. The video shows them putting a shirt over the victim’s head and kicking him all over his body.
This terrible “movie” was seen by thousands of citizens. They said that they recognized the people who committed the crime: these were the leaders of the Venezuelan Gangsters – Aron, El Pibe and Chito. All of them are considered professional criminals with many years of experience in illegal activities.
How to stay safe in Dallas: safety measures at home and outdoors
The city’s law enforcement agencies regularly hold educational talks to inform people about the need to take care of their own safety. This also applies to those who do not plan to live in dangerous neighborhoods. It is not possible to avoid the gang presence in Dallas altogether. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules that will help you feel safe both on the street and at home.
The police advise not to move around the city alone after sunset. Evening hours mean the peak activity of those who like to commit lawlessness. It is forbidden to carry precious things and jewelry that may attract unnecessary attention. If you do happen to meet someone who does not inspire confidence, you should be as polite as possible and try to avoid the unwanted company as soon as possible. If a questionable person is giving you a hard time, you should let passersby know. You should try to call someone close to you or even the police.
Usually, those who have lived in dangerous neighborhoods in Dallas for many years try not to go out in the evening. They also teach certain safety rules to the younger generation. Children in Dallas know that even near school, they should not talk to strangers.
There are some measures you need to take to keep your home and its occupants safe. In Dallas, there are a lot of private organizations that deal with the protection of houses and apartments. The first thing they offer to every owner is to install video surveillance. Modern systems combine artificial intelligence settings and real-time security monitoring. The result is that the house is monitored around the clock.
The second piece of advice from the Dallas Police Department may seem simple and even somewhat ridiculous, but its usefulness should not be underestimated. Police officers advise to do the easiest thing – make friends with your neighbors. In their experience, they have repeatedly seen that neighbors can respond better than video surveillance. Their help is especially important on days when you need to go out. If they notice anything suspicious, they will immediately notify law enforcement.