By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-906419.mp3
Dallas, TX – Dallas police begin "Operation Triangle" today. KERA's BJ Austin says it's the department's summer crime initiative.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown says crime always rises during the summer.
Brown: What happens from June until the end of August is all the activities increase: obviously in our entertainment districts. People stay out much longer because it's much warmer. And some of our most violent crime increases.
Chief Brown says officers will concentrate on open-air drug sales, and known drug houses. Gang unit officers will adjust shifts to work overnight, when most violent crime occurs.
Brown: We have to be in the right areas, at the right time, on the right days of the week. And that's some of the things our summer crime plan will address.
Chief Brown says another important focus of Operation Triangle will be property crimes; especially residential and car burglaries. The Chief says property crime accounts of 87% of all Dallas crime. The third leg of the triangle is "public disruption" - neighborhood code issues, prostitution, homelessness and panhandling.