By Kamira LaNay
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
Tom Divers, a Garland police officer assigned to the patrol division and vice president of the Garland Police Association, spoke in support of Proposition A, which he said would add 10 sworn police officers and eight emergency dispatchers.
Divers said Garland has grown to around 250,000 residents, increasing demands on the police department. He said the city currently has about one sworn officer for every 700 residents, noting that officers are often responding to calls, investigating crimes, working traffic crashes and responding to mental health emergencies. “When you and your family need a police officer, staffing isn’t just an abstract budget issue,” Divers said.
He also said more officers could help the department respond to calls, patrol neighborhoods, assist other officers and conduct proactive police work. Divers also emphasized the role of emergency dispatchers, who answer 911 calls, gather information and help send appropriate resources.
When it became time for public comments, Garland resident Carrie Yarborough also addressed the council about DART and what he described as ongoing problems with public transportation in the city.
Yarborough said he has experienced days when public transit was unavailable and argued that the city needs more reliable transportation options. He also criticized DART’s management and the city’s representatives on the DART board.
Yarborough said reliable public transportation is important because not every resident owns a car or is able to drive.
The comments highlighted two areas residents said affect Garland’s growing community: public safety resources and access to dependable transportation.
Kamira LaNay is a 2026 Journalism and Communications graduate of Morgan State University. She will spend the next year as a Texas Metro News Fellow.
