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Enhanced security to patrol Uptown Dallas after recent strings of shootings
There will be more visible security in Uptown Dallas following a string of recent shootings.
DALLAS - There will be more visible security in Uptown Dallas following a string of recent shootings.
A private security company has been hired to patrol the neighborhood seven days a week.
Dallas police have investigated several crimes there in recent months. People who live nearby report hearing gunshots nearly every night.
There’s been growing concern among residents and businesses after several high-profile shootings have injured innocent bystanders in the neighborhood.
There is very recent evidence of the concerns being addressed by Uptown Dallas Inc. Executive Director Kathy Stewart.
"We have been listening to the Uptown community now for several months, and we want them to know we hear them," she said.
Just last week, an innocent bystander was critically injured when he was shot in the head during a fight between two other groups outside a pizza restaurant.
Innocent bystander shot in head during Uptown Dallas shootout
In September, another bystander was hit in the chest by random gunfire as a man standing on McKinney Avenue fired at a vehicle.
Man hit by stray bullet in Uptown Dallas recovering from collapsed lung, broken ribs
In June, a woman was shot as she was getting off work when a fight spilled out from a nearby bar.
Woman hit by gunfire after argument spills out of Uptown Dallas bar
Uptown residents say hearing gunshots has become the norm, especially on nights and weekends.
"So in response to that, we began to look at what we could do, what initiatives we could do that would help make a difference," Stewart said.
Uptown Dallas Inc. has contracted with private security company Tier One to provide two patrols in marked cars from about 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week.
"We wanted to be present in the day and in the late afternoon and then mostly in the late night," Stewart said. "It's just important for our wide range of reasons to be present more hours during the day than we have been."
The extra security will add to measures already in place, like off-duty police officers.
The organization also brought on a new director of public safety last year who is a former Dallas police officer.
And the neighborhood group is partnering with Dallas police and the city to make security more visible in the area.
"So that people will know that they're here and then they can be a resource to some of our business owners," Stewart said.
Residents can expect to see the new security in the coming weeks. No exact start date has been announced.
There will also be a virtual neighborhood crime watch meeting with Dallas police next Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m.