The closures come in response to recent violent incidents. There will also be an increase in the number of officers patrolling the area.
DALLAS — Dallas police will begin shutting down streets in Deep Ellum every weekend for the foreseeable future.
These closures will start at 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Deep Ellum Foundation said there will also be an increase in the number of officers patrolling the area.
The news follows a deadly Fourth of July weekend with a bloody brawl and a shooting involving Dallas police.
The historic entertainment district, known for drawing visitors from around the world, has struggled with spurts of violence business owners say threatens the area’s vibrant nightlife culture.
“Any person who comes down here on any given day can have a thousand different experiences,” said Stephanie Keller Hudiburg with the Deep Ellum Foundation.
But those experiences involving violence are not part of that. Nia Newby, general manager at late-night eatery The Biscuit Bar, said the crowds that fuel the district’s economy can also lead to problems.
“When there’s lots of crowds, big people, fights break out, sometimes there’s shootings,” Newby said. “It can range from a small little spat to a big brawl.”
The weekend street closures aren’t new — police have implemented them periodically — but business owners say they don’t seem to address the root problem. Instead of blocking paying customers, they want more active enforcement from officers already patrolling the area.
“They kind of just chill in their cars,” Newby said. “I understand trying to look for the bigger situations, but the smaller things stop the bigger things from happening.”
Keller Hudiburg said the street closures are just the beginning of a comprehensive safety plan that involves multiple stakeholders.
“It’s really a comprehensive approach and it’s asking everyone to be a part of it,” she said. “Whether it’s property owners improving lighting, whether it’s businesses improving just the way they manage their lines.” Hudiburg is asking businesses, patrons and residents to take a survey as they work to establish a community safety plan she calls 2.0.
Deep Ellum has long served as a historic hub for creativity and entertainment. The challenge now is maintaining that draw while ensuring visitors’ safety.
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