Residents of Dallas’ Highland Hills neighborhood are asking for stronger action after a series of shootings has left people worried about their safety. On Tuesday, Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert and District 8 Councilwoman Lorie Blair visited the neighborhood to hear directly from residents and see the area where many of their concerns have been focused.
The visit comes after a September 12 shooting near Highland Hills that left five people injured and 25-year-old Zariea Brown dead. Police said six victims were taken to a local hospital after the shooting in the 5900 block of Highland Village Drive. Five were reported in stable condition, while Brown later died from her injuries. The circumstances and motive remain under investigation.
For residents who have lived in Highland Hills for years, the recent violence has added to concerns they say have been building for a long time.
Anita Harris, a longtime resident, described frequent shootings and fights in the neighborhood. She said the problem has been particularly concerning around her apartment complex, commonly known as “The Pinks.”
Residents say gunfire has occurred at different hours, including overnight, leaving some older residents afraid inside their own homes. Harris said she has repeatedly asked for more help and worries about how she would respond if gunfire erupted nearby.
During Tuesday’s walk through the neighborhood, city officials spoke with residents about the locations where they believe additional police attention is needed.
Comeaux said investigators are working on several cases and indicated that police are getting closer to solving some of them. He also said the department plans to increase its presence in the area in an effort to prevent additional violence.
Blair said officials first need to understand where the gunfire is coming from and why shootings continue before developing a response that addresses the underlying problems.
Tolbert also emphasized the importance of city officials being in the neighborhood rather than relying only on information from their offices. The visit, she said, was intended to give city leaders a better understanding of what residents are experiencing on the ground.
The September shooting remains one of the most serious recent incidents in the area. Police have said the suspects were not immediately identified and that the investigation was continuing. Anyone with information about that case can contact Dallas Police Detective B. Billings at 214-671-3083 or by email at [email protected].
Residents now want to see whether Tuesday’s visit results in a sustained response. Some longtime residents remember when Dallas police maintained a dedicated patrol around The Pinks and are asking officials to consider bringing a similar presence back.
For people living in Highland Hills, the issue is not simply about responding after another shooting occurs. They want to see a consistent police presence and a longer-term effort to address the repeated violence before another family is affected.
