First of all, hope your new year is off to a great start.
As you know, Dallas is beginning 2023 as a city on the move and on the rise.
The biggest news to report today is that Dallas has officially recorded a second-consecutive year of violent crime reduction — an extraordinary achievement in the face of rising crime in cities across the nation.
Since I took office in 2019 amid a significant spike in violent crime, public safety has been the top priority. Now, thanks to a commitment to both data-driven policing strategies and community-based solutions, fewer lives have been wrecked by violence in this city.
Take a look at how things have been going over the last two years:
Murders are down 16% since 2020.
Aggravated assaults are down 5% since 2020.
Robberies are down 29% since 2020.
There is still significant work ahead, and it’s vital to continue to increase police hiring and retention, which can help further reduce crime and provide quicker responses.
But behind the people of Dallas, a resolute Dallas City Council, and the tireless work of the men and women of the Dallas Police Department, this city can continue to make strides toward the goal of making Dallas the safest major city in the United States.
Looking ahead
The last few years haven’t been easy for many people. The pandemic, natural disasters, supply chain issues, and high inflation have challenged cities around the world.
But entering 2023, there is a lot to feel good about in this city. Dallas has navigated through all the difficulties and emerged as America’s “Comeback City.”
Dallas is the economic engine of the fourth-largest and fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation. This city has attracted major business relocations and added $14 billion in new development over the past four years. And the Dallas City Council finally agreed to cut the property tax rate to its lowest level since 2007.
Voters also recently supported a ballot proposition that will help fund the revitalization of Fair Park, the modernization of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, and the remaking of a long-dormant section of downtown Dallas.
But even on the issues where this city is enjoying its greatest successes, it’s critical to avoid complacency moving forward.
As I wrote in The Dallas Morning News last weekend, this city’s residents deserve more than “good enough.” Click the headline below to read the column.
“Good enough” is essentially a disease that destroys a city’s potential. It’s what allowed Fair Park and the convention center to fall into disrepair in the first place. And it’s what has allowed some city services to fall short over the years.
To be clear, it’s important to celebrate progress and milestones. And there have been plenty of those. But excellence must be the goal every single day. That’s the attitude that this administration will continue to bring into 2023.
Honoring excellence
Being in a job like this, especially with this form of government, is a team sport. No one person can stand alone.
Dallas is a strong city because its people are strong. And to move forward, Dallas needs philanthropists, generous volunteers, elected leaders, public servants, and people who can tell the story of this city.
Thankfully, Dallas is blessed with a mosaic of such people who come through time and time again and help make this city a better place.
And that’s why, just before the holidays, I honored five extraordinary Dallas residents with the first-ever Mayor’s Distinguished Service Awards.
Previously, Dallas didn’t really have an award for residents who have served and represented the city well and honorably over multiple years. The Key to the City is intended primarily for distinguished visitors to Dallas and for singular, extraordinary achievements.
This new award instead honors the notable service and significant contributions of Dallas residents to the City of Dallas over several years.
The first five honorees were:
- Lyda Hill, a prominent Dallas philanthropist
- Kay Bailey Hutchison, the former United States Senator and former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO
- Eddie Bernice Johnson, the long-serving U.S. Congresswoman from Dallas
- David Kunkle, the former Dallas Police Chief
- Harry Robinson, Jr., the founder of the African American Museum at Fair Park
It was an incredible honor to recognize the service of these amazing residents and to discuss all they’ve done for the city. Be sure to check out NBC5’s coverage of the award ceremony by clicking here.
That’s all for today. Take care of yourselves and each other, and make 2023 your year!
Until next time,
