Dallas and the Impact of Trump's Crime Rhetoric
The city of Dallas had already increased its police numbers before President Donald Trump's announcement on crime.
A nonprofit organization called Dallas HERO claimed that the city was descending into anarchy, despite the fact that violent crime rates were falling.
Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people
is what Trump said at an Aug. 11 press conference, announcing the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. and Chicago.
Locals fear that this push for more police could be used as a playbook for other cities.
This article is co-published with WFAA and ProPublica as part of an initiative to report on power in Texas.
Author's summary: Dallas increased police presence before Trump's crime rhetoric took hold.