Several people walked out of a meeting between South Dallas residents and several city leaders on Monday.
The meeting was held at the Dallas police South Central headquarters. The meeting, promoted by Councilman Tennell Atkins, also featured Dallas school board member Lew Blackburn and Police Chief David Brown.
Residents at the meeting said they are upset at what they see as a lack of police presence in the neighborhood. Residents complained of drug pushers, prostitutes and teen vandals in the area.
Brown, who grew up in the neighborhood, said he expected the meeting to be vocal. He told residents they need to call 911 more often if they see crime. He also urged them to get involved in cleaning up their neighborhood.
"They don't attend crime watch," he said. "They don't call 911 so it's going to be difficult for us to respond to their concerns without them getting involved."
The residents were also concerned about plan to put a Dallas Can Academy in the area. The school helps at-risk high school students. Some residents said they feel the new school in the area would increase crime.
"All we're asking is that you're going to make sure to help us with those kids at 12 o'clock and at 4 o'clock," resident Robert Smith said.
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The meeting ended just after 8 p.m. with residents and leaders promising to continue the discussion on fighting crime in the area.
