DPD Cracks Down on Nonviolent Crime
By ASHANTI BLAIZE
Updated 7:40 PM CST, Fri, Nov 20, 2009
Dallas police have launched a new initiative targeting property crime.
Crime in the city has decreased by 7.5 percent from last year, but half of all crimes committed now are burglaries of businesses, homes and vehicles.
The Jefferson Corridor in Oak Cliff is one of the areas police are targeting. Business owners said they know firsthand how property crime affects the neighborhood.
"If you have to worry about your car -- even if the meal is great -- there will be something in your stomach thinking, 'Well, is my car going to be OK when I get out?'" said Juan Sanchez, of El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant.
Operation Impact is made up of 100 Dallas police officers aimed at preventing nonviolent crimes by catching people in the act.
"First day's activity, we ran nine warrants. We fully executed nine warrants," Deputy Chief Brian Harvey said.
Officers from DPD's patrol, narcotics, gang and traffic units will work together to increase patrols in areas across the city.
"I think it's, in a way, a little bit overdue, because car vandalism and car theft actually hurts businesses -- you know, restaurants, retail stores -- and if the police can start something like this, it would really help," Sanchez said.
Operation Impact runs through the end of the year.
First Published: Nov 20, 2009 5:21 PM CST
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