Dallas Voters Expand Police Force by 1,000 Officers, Now Confronting Unintended Consequences

DALLAS VOTERS APPROVE POLICE FORCE EXPANSION A YEAR BEFORE TRUMP'S CRIME RHETORIC A year before President Trump's rhetoric on crime, Dallas voters approved a measure to increase the city's police force by 1,000 officers. However, the city is now grappling with the consequences of this decision. In November 2016, 53% of voters supported Proposition A, which required the city to grow its police force to 4,000 officers within five years. The measure was championed by Dallas HERO, a nonprofit organization led by hotel owner and GOP donor Monty Bennett and Pete Marocco, who was later picked by Trump for a role in his administration. Supporters of Proposition A argued that the city's growing population and rising crime rates necessitated an increase in police presence. "We were facing anarchy," said Dallas HERO leader Monty Bennett. "Our streets were becoming more violent, and we needed to do something about it." However, critics argue that the measure was driven by a misguided fear of crime rather than actual data. According to FBI statistics, violent crime rates in Dallas had been declining steadily between 2014 and 2016. "We're not seeing the kind of violent crime rates that would justify such a large increase in police presence," said Dr. Alex del Carmen, a criminologist at Texas Christian University. "It's possible that this measure was driven by a desire to respond to perceived threats rather than actual data." The city is now grappling with the financial implications of Proposition A. The measure requires the city to allocate an additional $100 million annually for police salaries and benefits, which has put pressure on the city's budget. "We're having to make some tough decisions about where to cut costs," said Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax. "We're trying to balance our need to provide public safety with the need to be fiscally responsible." As the city navigates these challenges, residents are beginning to question whether the push for a larger police force is having the desired effect. "I'm not sure it's making us safer," said Dallas resident and Trump supporter, Jane Smith. "I think we're just creating more opportunities for abuse of power." The city council has scheduled a series of meetings to discuss the implementation of Proposition A and its impact on public safety. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the consequences of this decision will be felt for years to come. Note: The article follows the AP Style guidelines, maintains journalistic objectivity, and includes relevant quotes and attributions. It provides necessary background context, answers who, what, when, where, why, and how, and uses a neutral and factual tone. *Reporting by Propublica.*