DALLAS (KRLD) - The mayor of Dallas wants to know why the city has such a high crime rate and what is being done about it.
In a strongly worded letter sent to the city manager on Tuesday, mayor Eric Johnson says he has not received a clear explanation for what's driving the increase in crime or how the police department plans to stop it. He calls the crime rate "patently unacceptable".
Dallas Police Association President Mike Mata agrees with the mayor's assertions and says it's not just a matter of manpower.
"Every major city is fighting a manpower problem. The entire police profession is fighting a manpower problem. But other cities have found ways to fight crime and reduce it. You will never get rid of it, but you should have a holistic plan on how to reduce it," Mata says.
Recently Chief Renee Hall told KRLD part of the solution is getting the community more involved.
"We still operate like we did in the 1990's. Right now, we have police officers doing what non-sworn people should be doing in our department. Departments all across this country have moved to non-sworn. We are probably some of the last individuals to do that," she says.
The mayor wants the violent crime reduction plan by the end of the year and wants a full presentation to the city council in January.
KRLD reached out to the city manager for comment. His office declined.
