“Operation Crackdown” to Demolish Dallas Houses

More than 30 Dallas homes will be demolished to the ground by the end of the September as part of a blitz effort called "Operation Crackdown."

The program is sponsored by the National Guard and uses drug forfeiture money to demolish vacant houses that are a blight on their neighborhoods. Dallas city council members worked with the Guard to determine the houses to be smashed, based on input from the community.

The 30 homes are spread out throughout the city, with multiple houses in each council district. The homes are largely abandoned and neighbors say have attracted criminals who use the space for drugs and loitering.

The first home was demolished around noon Sept. 12 in Fair Park, a neighborhood that has seven houses scheduled for demolition.

"This project has so many benefits. First, it gives kids have a safer place to play, safer to walk to school. There are less drug opportunities. To knock down a house gives you an opportunity to rebuild the neighborhood," said councilman Dwaine Caraway.

"It gives you a chance to start over on fresh soil. And we can build flowers," Caraway said, referring to the hope of an improved community.

Another home in the 9400 block of Fireside Drive fell on Tuesday.

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