The city's leadership announced the return of the Summer of Safety campaign for its fourth year, keeping Dallas safe and the young folk occupied during the long swelter of summer months. Mayor Eric L. Johnson, Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux, and other city leaders took to the Singing Hills Recreation Center on Thursday to kick things off.
Mayor Johnson, who took pride in Dallas' four-year streak of reducing violent crime, emphasized that keeping the peace is priority number one. "Public safety is my highest priority for Dallas, and the annual Summer of Safety is a critical component of the data-driven, holistic approach we take to public safety in this city," Johnson conveyed, according to the City of Dallas press release. The Summer of Safety has a proven track record, with violent crime in Dallas historically trending downwards during the summer months since the program's inception.
Johnson outlined various initiatives as part of these community efforts, including the SMART Summer reading program, the Dallas Park & Recreation Department's Teen All Access Pass, and the Mayor's Youth Sports Ticket Program. Under the All Access Pass, kids and teens between 13 and 17 can indulge in free admission to cultural and recreational hotspots. They can also get opportunities to attend various professional and amateur sporting events in Dallas, allowing for a blend of leisure and physical activity custom-made for the restless energy of youth.
At the launch, more city officials and leaders from various departments, like City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert and Dallas Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins, chirped similar tunes of support and optimism. DISD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Pamela Lear and Dallas Public Library Interim Director Heather Lowe both made remarks endorsing the mayor's campaign, signaling it as a loud-and-clear testament to the city's commitment to its youth.
