Virtual meeting to address Deep Ellum safety concerns

People who live and work in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas have new frustrations about violent crime. They are pleading for action.

DALLAS - People who live and work in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas have new frustrations about violent crime. They are pleading for action.

Those residents and business owners are invited to a virtual meeting Tuesday to discuss a recent safety plan that was introduced for the district.

The plan includes things like extra surveillance cameras, a "no cruising" ordinance and an effort to clear out the crowds after the bars close.

Dallas police will have a representation there. A city council member will also join the discussion that will center around a recent uptick in violent crime.

Jon Hetzel is the president of the Deep Ellum Foundation. He says business owners and police worked together to come up with the plan.

"The plan is robust. It includes feedback and input," he said. "We are committed as organization to make sure Deep Ellum is the safest entertainment district in the country."

Rapper T-Pain recently moved a scheduled concert from Deep Ellum to Grand Prairie after saying he felt safety concerns were hurting ticket sales.

Hetzel says the safety plan tries to address violence from multiple angles.

"We are establishing a public safety command center in the district to allow force multiplier effect through cameras," he said. "The other is to address homelessness in a compassionate way."

Cameras are a key part of the plan — and lots of them. So far, 25 have been installed. Another 35 will be installed by the end of the year.

But one man, Mark Kirk, owner of Vinty Clib, said he's skeptical of relying too much on cameras.

"Is a camera going to help you if you're getting shot or you're getting robbed or you're getting beat up? Is the camera going to jump down and help you? No," he said. "They need a way better strategy."

Hetzel said the plan will also include code enforcement making sure businesses are following the city's rules. He said most of the crime is happening between 1:30 and 3:00 a.m.

"I find it quite safe," Hetzel said. "We do have our incidents, but we are very busy with people and traffic. A lot is a nationwide problem."

Krik said the safety plan may not go far enough. Others said they’re just glad to see a police presence in Deep Ellum.

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"You put a cop here, you put a cop there. Put four cops on every street so a cop can see another cop. We’re good. That will deter people from fighting, etc.," said Mark Kirk, the owner of Vinty Club.

"I’ve never had a problem," said Luke Wuesthoff, who lives in Deep Ellum. "Every time I’ve been out in the nightlife, I’ve had a group of friends and whatnot that make it safer when you’re with a group. But that’s cool that they’re trying to improve safety."

Two people were killed, and three others were injured in a shooting earlier this month.

That happened just hours after the safety plan was released. There have also been several other recent shootings in Deep Ellum.

Tuesday’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. at www.facebook.com/events/1098722320712313/.