Police are ramping up efforts to keep a Dallas neighborhood safe after three police-involved shootings in just weeks.
On Wednesday, 24-year-old Anthony Garcia was killed by police when an officer investigating a carjacking that took place the night before spotted the stolen vehicle on the 3500 block of Virginia Boulevard in West Oak Cliff. Garcia exited the driver's side of the stolen vehicle with a handgun and approached the plainclothes officer, who fired on Garcia, police said.
The shooting remains under investigation, and the officer's identity has not been released.
According to court records, Garcia had a violent past, and police say crime is on the rise in the West Oak Cliff neighborhood where the shooting happened.
NBC 5 spoke with many neighbors who say they've seen crime increase as well. Officers who patrol the area say vigilance is key and they're actively involved in crime-fighting efforts by building community policing programs, showing a presence at homeowners' association meetings and Crime Watch groups, and even attending recreation center meetings to specifically encourage children and young adults to make the right choices.
"Whatever we can do to not only build an assurance and fight the perception of crime, but really fighting real crime as well," said Deputy Chief Albert Martinez with Dallas Police.
Martinez says violent crime is up in the area by 14 percent.
