Dallas residents are invited to engage with the City's public safety departments, offering them a chance to understand how these departments operate and provide feedback on potential improvements.
A key issue likely to be raised is the Dallas Police Department's response times to calls.
“Our Public Safety Response Symposium is geared to educate and inform residents on some of the internal operations that several public safety departments are doing to address those concerns,” Siara Obasuyi, Policy Analyst for the Office of Community Police Oversight (OCPO), said.
The goal is to have a conversation with the public to create a safer and more responsive city. Obasuyi said community input will be valued and possibly implemented to help tackle some of the issues that residents have brought up in the past, and concerns they'll likely discuss at the symposium.
“We’ve been hearing concerns about response times for a while,” she said. “After working with departments for several months and reviewing data, we realized there was a gap in education and communication.”
The symposium will feature opening remarks from Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux, followed by presentations from public safety leaders. Attendees will hear from officials within 9-1-1 dispatch, 3-1-1 services, and DPD, including insights into new technology aimed at improving response times.
Obasuyi emphasized that officials will create a space for dialogue at the symposium.
“We want residents to understand what’s happening internally, but also have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and engage directly with the departments serving them,” she said.
The event will also include representatives from emergency management and crisis response teams, who will discuss how behavioral health calls are handled and what resources are available.
While concerns like response times may vary by neighborhood, Obasuyi said the symposium is designed to address those differences.
“We’re expecting to hear concerns that are specific to different districts,” she said. “This is about working together with the community to find solutions.”
The symposium is scheduled for May 9 at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center at Fair Park. It will start at 10 a.m., but doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for a light breakfast and refreshments.
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