Dallas City Wire

Violent crime in Dallas is on the rise, and Susan Fountain has an idea what is behind it.

Fountain, a member of the state Republican executive committee, said criticism of police officers and calls to reduce funding are damaging public safety and that the rise in homicides this year is vivid proof.

“Our murder rate has gone up. Our violent crime rate has gone up,” Fountain said. “And attacking our police officers will not address that.”

Susan Fountain | Twitter

She is uncertain if the COVID-19 pandemic is a major reason in the rise in violent crime, adding, “I think it’s pure speculation.” 

But she said the imposition of “martial law” that has forced people to remain at home, often raising tensions in homes, could be a reason.

“I can certainly see where domestic abuse has spiked,” Fountain said. “I worry about the kids shut in with people who could harm them.”

She said the coronavirus pandemic will cause children to grow up in fear and the full ramifications won’t be known for years.

In mid-November there were seven shooting deaths in a 24-hour period. While the Dallas Police Department responded by putting more officers on the street, Gov. Greg Abbott also sent in added assistance.

“The rise in violent crime in the city of Dallas is unacceptable, and the Texas Department of Public Safety will assist the Dallas Police Department in their efforts to protect the community and reduce this surge in crime,” Abbott said in a statement. “Every Texan deserves to feel safe in their own community, and the state of Texas will continue to provide the city of Dallas with the resources they need to crack down on this heinous activity and protect Dallas residents.”

Fountain noted that in 2019, while running for mayor, Eric Johnson said there was not a serious crime problem in the city.

“He doesn’t say it anymore,” she said.

The mayor has changed his tune. On Nov. 18 he stood in front of City Hall and addressed the issue.

“The violent crime in the city is out of hand. I’m tired of it. I’m sick of it,” Johnson said. “This is not a joke. This is not a game. This is not about being on television. This is about ending the needless and senseless taking of lives in the city.”

Fountain wishes the Dallas City Council would come to the same realization.

In June, 10 of the 14 members of the Dallas City Council signed a letter asking City Manager T.C. Broadnax to reduce police funding. On Sept. 23, while keeping the public safety request intact, the council did cut $7 million from the department’s overtime budget.

District 7 Council member Adam Bazaldua, whose represents South Dallas, has been an outspoken advocate for reducing the police budget. Fountain said this view is particularly wrongheaded as residents of that part of the city want more police protection, not less.

“How can you have a normal neighborhood in that kind of environment?” she asked rhetorically.

Fountain noted people are buying more guns, convinced they need to protect themselves because police cannot respond in time.

“I do not believe we’ve ever had enough police officers to address crime,” she said.

Fountain represents District 16 on the Texas Republican Executive Committee. She is actively recruiting candidates to run for the Dallas City Council as all 14 seats are up in 2021.

Fountain said she wants candidates who support law and order and will show fiscal responsibility to step up. She has been in contact with some potential candidates.

“I’m interested in people who will follow the rule of law,” Fountain said.

The deadline to file for the election is Feb. 12. Fountain invites potential candidates to contact her.

First, she wants to see the Dallas Police Department get a leader who will realize the problems that exist and tackle them head-on.

Broadnax said the next police chief — current Chief U. Reneé Hall announced in September she will depart at the end of 2020 after three years at the helm — must tackle the problems of rising violent crime, but also must be “politically astute.”

“That doesn’t surprise me at all,” Fountain said.

She said Broadnax and other public officials seem more concerned with appeasing “the noisy few” and calming protestors than listening to Dallas residents who want police officers on the street.

They are dealing with violent crime, open drug dealing and property crimes that destabilize their neighborhoods. Broadnax is not responding to those voices, in her view.

“I don’t believe he is doing a good job,” Fountain said. “He sets the time. He has all the keys.”

Broadnax earns more than $400,000 per year — nearly three times as much as Abbott. Fountain said it’s not money well spent.

The main issue is public safety, and Fountain said this must be a major point of discussion in the 2021 election and that the city must not rely on the state to provide protection.

“It doesn’t make sense to go outside your normal channels,” she said.

That’s why Fountain is calling for qualified candidates to step forward and run for the council.