The Dallas city manager and police chief met with people who live in a neighborhood near Joe Pool Lake Monday night to talk about the kidnapping and death of a four year old boy earlier this month. Cash Gernon was kidnapped from his crib May 15 and later found dead in the street.
"I live in the neighborhood. I stay ten minutes from exactly where it took place," says Dallas City Councilman Casey Thomas, who set up the meeting. "My entire neighborhood is hurting."
Police have arrested Darriyn Brown, 18. Brown has been charged with kidnapping and theft; police say a murder charge could follow.
Thomas says he set up the meeting with Chief Eddie Garcia and Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax to hear concerns from the community and answer questions.
"I think it was a matter of them telling the chief and city manager we need an increase in police presence in the neighborhood and in the community," Thomas says.
Thomas says Garcia, who became Dallas police chief in February, was there "to give facts of the case. There has been a lot of misinformation. And then to show support and empathy toward a grieving neighborhood and community."
Some who live in the neighborhood say they reported Brown to police a month ago. One said Brown was checking cars parked in the area to see if they were locked.
Others said police response times in the area were too long, and they want Dallas police to build a substation in that area.
"[Garcia] came and he owned it. Even though he's only been chief four months. He may not have known a lot about things that occurred prior to his time, but he's taken ownership of everything that's happened since he's been chief of our police department," Thomas says.
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