By Tanya Eiserer
The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS — Dallas police are planning to spend about $1.6 million on overtime to increase their presence on the streets as part of a summer crime initiative aimed at keeping the city’s criminal element at bay.
The department launched the initiative June 6, and it will last until Aug. 24. Top police commanders briefed the City Council’s public safety committee on the plan Monday. Through the end of May, violent crime is down nearly 11 percent. Police officials said they hope the initiative can help them maintain the reduction and build on it. During the summer, police typically get more calls.
Property crime was almost flat, down about 1 percent, and total crime was down a little more than 2 percent, statistics show.
Officials say they will also be targeting more than 20 hotspots with the Operation Disruption task force.
“We want to make sure that we saturate those areas,” Assistant Chief Daniel Garcia said.
Police also will be focusing on the entertainment districts, conducting citywide curfew violation crackdowns and going after underage alcohol consumption.
The vice unit will be cracking down on places that have problems with juvenile violent crime, underage drinking and illegal cigarette sales to minors.
Police officials said that during the first two weeks of June, crime is continuing to trend downward.
Copyright 2008 The Dallas Morning News