Dallas residents gathered May 9 for a public safety symposium aimed at improving transparency between the community and city leaders, with many attendees raising concerns about emergency response times and access to public safety resources.
Dallas’ Office of Community Police Oversight (OCPO) hosted the “Public Safety Response Symposium last weekend. The event focused on educating residents about how Dallas’ emergency response systems operate and how city officials are working to improve Dallas Police response times.
Siara Obasuyi, a policy analyst with the OCPO, said the event was designed to help residents better understand the city’s public safety network and connect directly with officials.
“Our event was to educate residents and inform them on some of the public safety systems we have here at the city of Dallas,” Obasuyi said. “Our main topic was to address response time concerns.”
More than 90 people registered for the event, with between 60 and 70 residents attending, according to Obasuyi. She described feedback from attendees as “overwhelmingly positive.”
Residents heard presentations from public safety leaders, including Dallas police representatives, about how 911 and 311 calls are processed, how resources are deployed, and how technology is being used to improve emergency response efforts.
Many attendees said they were unaware of several public safety resources available to them before attending the symposium. Officials also clarified when residents should call 911 for emergencies, and when issues should instead be directed to 311 for non-emergency assistance.
Questions from residents centered on response times, behavioral health resources, and new public safety technology.
One resident voiced frustration over an ongoing public safety concern in her neighborhood. Obasuyi said DPD Major Anthony Greer personally connected with the resident after the event to discuss her concerns further.
“That is kind of what we wanted to happen,” Obasuyi said. “Not all concerns or questions are going to be addressed because we have a certain amount of time, but at least after the program they can meet with those public safety leaders.”
Obasuyi said city leaders hope to continue hosting similar forums in the future to maintain communication with residents and build trust between the community and public safety officials.
A link to two flyers in english and spanish on when to call or text 911.
A link to the public safety symposium presentation can be found here.
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