Final Count: 147 Guns

I felt that the gun buyback went pretty well. You never know what to expect.

UPDATE: The youtube clips are up right here (btw, I also had no idea that Dwaine had over 65,000 youtube hits):

No one said it was the cure-all, but you have to respect the fact Dwaine is willing to try everything to make the city safer.

In total, 147 guns were turned in the police, no questions asked.

The stories that some people told really hit home; Matthew Haag from the DMN did a good job of covering that aspect of the story.

Even though the event officially started at 9am, one woman showed up at 7am with several guns.

From 8:30 on there was a steady stream of people. Contrary to what some claimed would be brought in, all types of weapons were turned in to DPD (including a Tec-9).

And yes, my buddy Trey Garrison showed up and talked with Dwaine and the Mayor.

The event was well-attended by the media; we'll see what the actual coverage looks like.

Thanks to Stephanie, Esmeralda, DPD and the city staff that showed up to help. Thanks also go out to Charles Terrell of Safer Dallas, Better Dallas, Kroger, Schepps Dairy, Radio One (94.5 KSOUL and 97.9 The Beat) for sponsoring the event.


Check out the slideshow:

Final Count: 147 Guns

Transfer of RSS Feed is Here (BOO!)

For those of you that subscribe to Dallas Progress via feedburner or other reader tools (live bookmarks, RSS, etc) , some changes are afoot. Those of you that write blogs also know what I'm talking about.

Google bought FeedBurner, and now I have to switch everything over. I've been avoiding it for a while because it involves techy things that I loathe. I can usually teach myself anything related to technology, be it writing code or anything like that, but it's only because I hate paying for things I can do on my own.

The switch may cause you to temporarily lose your subscription.

If you can't get Dallas Progress on your feedreader, just leave me a comment on this post and I'll help you out.

Please bear with us, it should only happen once.

Transfer of RSS Feed is Here (BOO!)

The Trinity River Project - So Much Work to be Done

It's been a while since the Trinity Trust model was unveiled, but I saw it for the first time yesterday.

As you know, I was an early critic of the project. I realized that the voters have spoken and we are moving forward. But as I began to look at the project on my own, my view changed over the course of years.

At the City Plan Commission, I chair the Urban Design Advisory Committee and our task is to review 23 different areas that are associated with the Trinity with respect to zoning and design.

We are on plan #4. Again, there are 23 study areas. There's a lot of work ahead of us, and I hope to be there to see it through to the end.

Back to the model. I did my best to get the entire model on my phone, and even in panoramic view it was impossible.

Seeing Oak Cliff, West Dallas, South Dallas, and other areas together on a 40 foot by 15 foot (my estimate) wall map along with the model reminded me of the work we must get going on the City Plan Commission and in this city in general. Townview High School, Pinkston High School, Cedar Crest, Fair Park, downtown Dallas...it's all connected.

The Trinity River Project is about more than a tollroad. It's also about more than a park. It's also about positively transforming the lives of the citizens of Dallas. I hope everyone keeps an open mind and seeks to find out info on their own as this project moves forward.

The Trinity River Project - So Much Work to be Done

Press or B.S.? - What's the Motivation?

I have been aware of a group that has a problem with the Gun Buyback program that is occurring on Saturday.

If this group that is complaining about the Gun Buyback is really sincere about helping to clean up the community and about public safety, the opportunity is available to sit down with Dwaine Caraway and me and have a frank discussion about the pros and cons of this issue and others.

If their "counter-event" is just for attention and YouTube hits, there's nothing we can do for them. They can do what they do and we'll keep doing what we do.

No cameras, no media. Just two groups with opposing views sitting down and exchanging ideas.

Consider the olive branch extended.

And by the way: no public money is being used to buy the guns. Just so you know.

Press or B.S.? - What's the Motivation?

Cutting the DA's Budget is a Big Mistake

This article, which talks about the Dallas County Commissioners pushing Craig Watkins to cut money and staffing in his office, is quite troubling.

When crime goes up and families can't get closure because violent offenders can't get prosecuted, most of the commissioners will be AWOL and silent. They will let Craig take any heat for having to release violent offenders. Craig is doing work that is nationally recognized; why stop the progress?

Cutting back on essential needs like felony prosecutors is the wrong move. In the article Craig suggested cutting car allowances for himself and others; but will Commissioners cut their car allowances? No. Commissioners recently increased their salaries and car allowances. That's the first thing that should be cut; they already make more than $120,000 per year. In contrast, the Mayor and City Council get zero money for car allowances.

There are so many quotable items in the article, but a couple really stand out:

The cuts, Watkins said, "would decimate us to the point where we would have to ask: 'Which criminals do you want us to prosecute?' "

and this one:

County Commissioner Mike Cantrell suggested that Watkins begin his cost cutting by eliminating one of the three prosecutors from each of the felony courts. Those who remain, he said, can manage the jail population "the same as we're doing right now."

The 51 prosecutors assigned to the 17 felony courts each handle more than 300 cases a year, the district attorney's office said. Other cases are handled in those courts by units that focus on crimes like child abuse, gangs, organized crime and family violence.

First Assistant District Attorney Terri Moore said in the article that prosecutors already work hours of overtime for free because the office is understaffed. "This place is a legal sweatshop," she said. "How dare they talk about making it worse?"

Commissioners are always crowing about having the lowest taxes in the state; but at what cost to crime victims and the general public is this so-called accomplishment achieved? If you do that, you also should brag about the backed up courts, the lack of staffing, and the long length of time that it takes for a crime victim to get justice through the system. Doesn't make much sense, now does it?

In my opinion, the District Attorney's office and prosecutors are also a public safety component just like police and fire departments.

When talking about the potential deficit that the City faces, Mayor Tom Leppert and other city council members have said that they won't support any cuts in police and public safety. It's time for the County Commissioner's court to do the same.

Cutting the DA's Budget is a Big Mistake

Dwaine Caraway Filing is Official

Today, Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway officially filed for reelection for City Council District Four.

There are no challengers. I doubt anybody else running could draw 10%.

Some additional things are also in the works, like the entire redesign of the website. Look for it soon. Tell Dave Levinthal at the DMN that we are coming for our A grade.

Dwaine Caraway Filing is Official

The One Article You Must Read this Month

District Attorney Craig Watkins is on the cover of D Magazine's March Issue. I've known he was going to be on the cover for a while, but I figured I'd keep it under wraps as long as I could. No more.

In writing a feature article about Craig, Zac Crain did one of the best pieces I have read in some time. Articles like this are why D Magazine remains relevant; they look at all angles of the issue when writing feature pieces. They're willing to travel any and everywhere for a story (I remember when we had Rod Davis deep in the hood for his pit bull story), and not just write hit jobs from the comfort of their laptop like some writers in this town.

Zac wrote this piece over the course of six months. Instead of writing an article that is mostly based on personal opinions of other writers and anecdotes cobbled from other magazines, Zac wrote something that is awardworthy in my opinion.

The article includes great photography from Elizabeth Lavin, including the cover shot and another with Craig's barber and mine (the best in the city), Troy King of Testosterone Barbershop on Murray Street in Deep Ellum (it's true, you can get a good fade in Dallas without driving to Far North Dallas or Desoto).

Enough said. Buy the mag, read the article, and let me know what you think.

The One Article You Must Read this Month

A Mayor and Council that Shows Leadership

Sometimes, watching items like the Convention Center Hotel unfold can be an event in itself.

Why are people shocked that we are pursuing this venture? When Mayor Leppert campaigned, he talked about the same issues that he's working on now. In his inauguration speech, he talked about the Trinity River project, the Convention Center Hotel, and other issues. Everyone acts surprised, but in fact the Mayor is simply carrying out what he promised.

Is it fun getting beat up on a daily basis? No, it probably isn't. But he's doing what he said he would do. He also has a City Council of whom the majority supports that vision.

Not many people are willing to say it, but these are items that were kicked down the road by the previous administration.

We should've had a Convention Center Hotel years ago, but thankfully it is now being addressed. Some people that are against the hotel believe that hotel jobs are beneath them and dismiss the jobs saying that they "aren't high paying jobs." Don't we have a responsibility to create jobs for all levels of income? Maybe some look down their noses at workers in the service industry, but I value their contributions and hard work.

The economic development committee, which is comprised of 8 council members, has been briefed on the hotel since the Fall of 2007. I'm glad Councilmen Allen and Caraway reminded the audience of this fact yesterday. I don't see how people that can say this issue is being rushed along. At some point, you have to make the big decisions.

The Mayor's inauguration speech also talked about green building, saying that green standards and requirements need to be established if we're going to be a world-class city. And it's on the books.

It's the difference between chasing headlines and following up on what you start. That's what leadership is about.

A Mayor and Council that Shows Leadership

Hotel Agreements Approved

The City Council voted 10-2 (2 had a conflict, 1 absent when vote was taken) to approve the development and operating agreements for the Dallas Convention Center hotel. Omni will be the hotel operator, and Matthews Southwest will develop the center.

Hotel Agreements Approved

Hotel Request Denied...and what Debate are they waiting for?

Before the anti-hotel folks could even begin crowing about their attempt to get an injunction against the hotel moving forward, a funny thing happened.

Their request was denied. That didn't take long.

Fox News The Dallas Observer keeps writing that Anne Raymond is waiting for a debate with Mayor Leppert.

I've been saying for some time that Mayor Leppert is waiting to debate Harlan Crow on the issue. Why won't Fox News the Dallas Observer report this fact that has been known for months? They still act like she's waiting for a debate that's never going to happen.

I was also listening to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson on the radio yesterday. According to Congresswoman Johnson, the whole point of the city issuing the hotel bonds is so the city can issue the bonds at at a lower amount of interest. The savings is 4-5% over the whole life of the bonds.

She also said that we're not going to be in this shape forever, meaning that we need to move forward so this city can reap the benefits of revenue from having such a setup. Such a move has always made sense to me.

Hotel Request Denied...and what Debate are they waiting for?

More Tax-Credit Apartments?

Now that the moratorium has been lifted on tax-credit applications in Dallas, the floodgates are starting to open. The City Council is now considering applications for 13 such complexes.

I know there are different types of units; I do support single room occupancy (SRO) units in moderation as a part of the solution to address homelessness in Dallas. I also generally support senior housing units as long as services for the residents are being provided.

I have the biggest problem with tax-credit apartments that are not focused on a specific niche of residents. Some are even marketed as single-family home rental developments.

The oldest tax-credit apartment complexes have created a glut of units in some neighborhoods. On top of that, many of the newer tax-credit (non-senior) complexes have occupancy rates of 90% or less. That should tell you that we have enough units in certain areas.

I hope that any tax-credit projects that get approved have comprehensive security plans in place. In addition, new tax-credit complexes should be based on tearing down old units and replacing them with new units, and weeding out the thugs as residents are transitioned to newer places.

Some of the highest numbers of crime in Dallas can be found in the oldest tax-credit complexes. It's not because DPD isn't working as hard as they can; it's because a lot of the owners are comfortable with taking their guaranteed rent and not investing in their property in terms of physical structure or safety.

Here are some examples of the oldest tax-credit complexes in Dallas, based on when the complexes joined the tax-credit system.

Apartment Complex Name - Address - (date joined system / date built)
Red Bird Trails 3636 W. Red Bird Lane (1992 / 1985)
Woodhollow 4424 Woodhollow Drive (1992 / 1970)
Surrey Row 7272 Marvin D Love Freeway (1989 / 1988 )
Diamond Creek - 3402 S. Buckner ( 1992 / 1985)
Crestridge Apartments - 6417 Ridgecrest Road ( 1991 / 1985)
Manor on the Park - 3122 Park Lane (1990 / 1965 )

If apartments are to be built in southern Dallas, they should be market-rate apartment complexes. As I talk to developers within my role as a plan commissioner, I try to hammer this point home. Living in such a complex, I can tell you that our complex is fairly safe but we are held hostage in some ways by the other complexes in the area. We are looked at as good pickings because we are perceived as being more affluent than other people in the area.

I understand that some complexes may have a percentage of lower-income units, and I have no problem with that as long as it's part of a bigger plan. But I do not support arbitrarily dropping hundreds more units into areas that are already saturated with such complexes. Enough is enough.

More Tax-Credit Apartments?

Dallas or New York's "Right to Vote?"

I saw the petition carriers yesterday. How could I miss them - these people had no respect for walking right through the middle of our meeting yesterday while we were trying to conduct city business. Same for whomever took the pictures of them walking through our meeting.

When you look at the financial reports, this effort is funded by a group based in New York that paid people to fly down and get signatures. Some of the people that are on the original petition request have barely voted themselves.

Now the reports come out that they were holding these signed petitions for weeks to get leverage against the City for hotel business. What a joke.

There are other unions in town that support the hotel, like SEIU and others.

I'm not anti-union. My Mother was in a union, the Communication Workers of America (CWA). When strikes came down, we had to go without. Sometimes the strikes went for a long time, but we made it.

However, this effort is something I cannot support. There's a right way and a wrong ray to conduct business. And by the way they have conducted themselves so far, we can see where this is going.

I hope the majority of Dallas voters see it the same way.

Dallas or New York's "Right to Vote?"

Murderer of Oak Cliff Woman gets Life

A little more than a year ago, I wrote about the disappearance of Lakendra Lawrence.

The DMN had a write-up that said that her killer was convicted and got life in prison this past week.

Lakendra's case was on The First 48 last week and it was really upsetting to me. It reminded me how I felt when I was following her family's ordeal.

This could've been my sister, my cousin, my friend. It could've been someone in your family. The family is left with nothing but memories.

Thanks to Lt. Craig Miller and the rest of his homicide unit at DPD for helping to give this family closure.

Sometimes, these things are hard to release from my mind. I still have one of Wyshina's pictures that I have to give back to her family. I keep a picture of Juanita Payne posted on my wall to remind me why I got into public service in the first place.

All of these beautiful young women killed before they had a chance to live out their lives and dreams. Think about that for a while.

Murderer of Oak Cliff Woman gets Life

Flea Market Faker

Thanks to Granny Geek, for she has outed a fake garage sale operator in the Cliff.

This was happening last summer, but Granny says they're back with a new and improved setup. The quote and pic is from her blog.

Well, there’s a new and bigger van making the rounds of the neighborhood this year. You’ll notice that this van has a roof rack, so that it can transport even MORE goods. Note the rug.

I know people from the city read this blog, so be on the lookout.

Flea Market Faker

Morehouse Information Session - TONIGHT!

The Office of Admission and Recruitment at Morehouse College invites you, your parents and friends to an information session.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dallas Marriott-Las Colinas
223 West Las Colinas Blvd
Irving, TX 75039 (map)
972-831-0000

You will have the opportunity to speak with Kory Hawkins, Assistant Dean of Admission and Recruitment about admission requirements, housing, financial aid, scholarships, and student life.

Morehouse Information Session - TONIGHT!

City Council Campaigns

Today is the first day that petitions for City Council can be turned in. Each District has a specific number of signatures that you need to enter your Council race.

This should be interesting. There's a big difference between filing for a campaign treasurer and actually running.

There is still no opponent for Dwaine Caraway in District Four, and frankly I would be shocked if there is one. However, we remain ready.

If you're an incumbent, your campaign is based on what you've actually done while in office. Nobody really listens to "your plan" anymore unless you have proven results; it's about achievement. Some people run for the right reasons, and some don't.

It's on.

City Council Campaigns

Significant Southern Dallas Blogs

Around the time when I started Dallas Progress, there wasn't much in the blogosphere that focused on Southern Dallas other than blogs operated by print media. Shawn Williams started Dallas South Blog in the same month, and we often joke about how folks thought we might be at odds or in competition. In reality, we have cheered on each other from Day One and have always hoped to see more blogs that focus on our part of town.

Shawn has covered prestigious events such as the Democratic Presidential Debate in Austin, the Democratic Convention, and others. I've been blessed to be a member of President Obama's National Urban Policy Committee, and serve on various boards and commissions (although I was doing that before I started writing). The best part: the great people with whom I have been able to interact as the readership has grown.

What can't be disputed is that we started this thing in our part of the city.

One thing that Shawn and I have in common is that we chose to live in Southern Dallas. In the 2 1/2-plus years since we started, several significant blogs have popped up from Southern Dallas residents. Here are a few:

Rufus Shaw (RIP) was the first blogger based in southern Dallas. He wrote for DallasBlog "the way he saw it, South of the Trinity."

Change the Wind: Written by Rev. Gerald Britt of Central Dallas Ministries.

Janet Morrison's Community Dialogue: Janet Morrison of Central Dallas Ministries has devoted her life to the education of underprivileged youth in South Dallas and Roseland Homes. Without Janet I never would have met Wyshina Harris (RIP) and Sylvia Harris, for which I am eternally grateful. Their energy and determination have kept me going.

Let's Go to Work: Tiffinni Young is a lifelong southern Dallas resident, former Dallas Park board Member, and a candidate for Dallas City Council District Five.

Making South Dallas Home: Written anonymously by "Camron's Mom," a resident in South Dallas. I'll keep her real name to myself, but I see her as one of the future leaders in that area.

Ms. Betty Politic: Betty Culbreath is the only African-American to have chaired the DFW Airport Board, the City Plan Commission (twice), and the Dallas Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Her activism in this city is legendary.

Our ASA Family's Meaningful Relationships - Written by participants of the Turner Courts/Roseland After-School Academy that is operated by Janet Morrison of Central Dallas Ministries. Whenever I think of slowing down, one visit to the ASA gives me all the motivation I need.

Thoughts of an ADHD Drama Queen: A look at being newly married, pop culture, and life in general. She will someday write a book or movie script based on this blog and her life, and we will love it.

Significant Southern Dallas Blogs

It's Lunch Time, Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

I'm glad the juvenile curfew ordinance is being reviewed by City Council's Public Safety Committee and will likely be strengthened. According to news reports, juveniles made up more than 20% of the burglary arrests in Dallas last year.

Here are the facts:

• 2008 Juvenile Arrests for Burglary: 187.
• 2008 Adult Arrests for Burglary: 868.
• Juveniles made up 22% of all Burglary arrests in the city in 2008.
• Of those 187 arrests, 63% occurred during school hours during the week.

Juvenile curfew needs to be strengthened and enforced. While some parents aren't aware of their kids activities, some parents need to shake the "it's not my baby" syndrome and face facts. Well, your baby is breaking into houses and acting up while you're at work.

It's just like the voice-over insert that Dwaine helped to bring back to Channel 8 news when they say, "it's 10 o'clock, do you know where your children are?" Maybe for some parents, they should ask themselves that same question at 10 AM as well.

It may sound harsh, but the responsibility for the delinquents needs to be shifted back to the parents instead of society. It's a small percentage of kids, but they're causing a good share of the crime during the day.

It's Lunch Time, Do You Know Where Your Children Are?