We’ve received a few complaints this week about “excessive” traffic enforcement in the Cedar Springs area by Dallas police. One citizen who got nailed for talking on her cell phone in a school zone said police on motorcycles are “swarming” the area of Cedar Springs and Throckmorton Street.
“I think they’re over there to hassle the gays,” she wrote. “The cop who ticketed me put it this way, ‘The city council told us we had to give more tickets in this area. We just do what they say.'”
Another writer said cops are hanging out in the Walgreen’s parking lot and pulling people over for failing to come to a complete stop on Oak Lawn Avenue before turning right on Cedar Springs.
“I don’t know how much longer the DPD will be enforcing traffic violations so heavily on Cedar Springs but I just thought some people might like to know so they can keep their heads up while driving around Cedar Springs to avoid a ticket,” he said.
You’ve now officially been warned.
There goes my cop fantasy! PIGS….
As usual, your Dallas Police Department hard at work writing tickets instead of catching violent criminals.
If you don’t want to get in trouble with the police…
don’t break the law…
=P
the upside is with more police around that should deter violence, right?
This is hardly newsworthy.
It’s against the law to talk on your cell phone in a school zone.
To the “One Citizen” who is complaining without giving their name should have know that.
Tickets are written all over Dallas and many other cities in the country.
You got caught and you think it sucks but don’t go crying that it’s a ‘gay’ thing.
Do you know the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf?
People bitch b/c there’s not enough police presence in Cedar Springs and now they’re bitching b/c there’s too much. Take the damn traffic ticket and grow a pair. It could be worse. You could one of the unfortunate victims of aggravated robbery that take place on a weekly basis in the area.
I read these posting and I crack up. They’re targeting gays, they’ve got nothing better to do. They should be catching criminals instead of writing tickets. Get a grip people and here’s the true story.
Spending many evenings in Oak Lawn I sit at Buli’s cafe and other businesses in the area and see a number of people who almost get run over while trying to cross in the crosswalks. In addition we’ve seen computers and cell phone stolen, and have all heard about the stories of people being robbed.
Myself along with reps from the neighborhood asked to meet with the Dallas Police and City council reps and we did last week. We asked the police to step up traffic enforcement and also asked them to have more police presence in the area especially nights and weekends. We knew this would bring in comments against the city and against the police. The fact is this. If you’re going to be hanging out in Oak Lawn or driving through Oak Lawn you had better start paying attention to the laws, including Traffic Laws.
Those of us who hang out in Oak Lawn have asked for more police protection because of crimes that have been taking place. Those of us who want to enjoy the area and keep it safe like having a stronger police presence in the area. The police won’t hassle anyone, straight or gay if you’re not breaking the law and driving safely. It amazes me that the quoted person could only say they’re “targeting gays” and couldn’t spit the words, “I broke the law” out of her mouth.
I know my friends and I are going to enjoy the stronger police presence in the area. Stay tuned, because you’re going to see more of them. We’re even working on having them join us for First Wednesday one month so that business owners, and patrons can meet them and talk to them about safety issues.
Thanks Dallas Police.
United Community Against Gay Hate Crimes has met with the Northwest Division Police and the city Council women about the gay district along with the Neighborhood Watch Assoc. to re-introduce the police back into the area because of a number of complaints about the assaults and thefts in the community. I am the founder of the organization and a witness to brutal attack on July 17 a little after midnight on Dickason where Jimmy Lee Dean was beaten within an inch of his life. No one responded to what happen until I form an organization to bring about awareness in the community about what happened that night.
Now that we have a chance to make our community safer some of you we are complaining about the police being there and targeting you because you are gay. The police are NOT stopping you because you are gay, if you are speeding or driving in a school zone using your cell phone you are breaking the law! That is a traffic law you are breaking, but what happens if you run over a small child or even another gay person while disobeying the traffic laws?
We are taking a strong stand against the crimes and unlawful activities happening in the community and I would hope that ALL of us would want something done about it.
You take the risk of being attacked while walking from your car to one of the bars for entertainment. If you make it there and have a good time and find yourself walking alone or even with someone you still have a greater chance of being attacked late at night because this is when we see a lot of these crimes take place. So let’s look at the police presence in a positive light and allow them to do the job our tax dollars are paying them to do, PROTECT US and keep ALL of us safe.
If you have any questions or concerns you can email me at ucaghc@yahoo.com or if you really want to get involved meet with us on Tuesday nights at the Bronx on Cedar Springs at 7pm.
Thank you Mike Lo Voulo for getting involved with the organization to help take our streets back in the community.
I’m not going to say that this is a story of the cops selecting Cedar Springs to police traffic violations because it’s the gayborhood. That clearly isn’t the case. Apparently some in the community feel that more police in the area is the solution to the crime problem around the strip.
Having more police in the area is a selfish and elitist position. Selfish because we are not trying to reduce crime by identifying and confronting what makes people commit crimes. The police presence on Cedar Springs is simply keeping crime out of the neighborhood but at the expense of others. Because nothing has been done to reduce crime we are effectively unloading our problems onto other people.
Inviting the police into our community is also elitist. Many of those that might be stealing our phones or bothering us for change while we sip on our cappuccinos at Buli are GLBT young people. Fleeing from small town Homophobia USA they get to the big city with very little money to discover few opportunities and a LGBT community that is hesitant to help them.
So instead of thinking of these “criminals” as human beings with real issues in their lives that lead them to break the law, we call in the cops so we don’t have to look at and deal with them.
So, yes, crime is a problem but if you want to work towards solving it don’t take the knee jerk and easy response by calling in the police. Reducing economic disparity, building drug rehab centers, establishing an LGBT welcoming homeless shelter/center, fighting against homophobia are all much more sensible ways to fight crime without being selfish and elitist.
Michael, when you respond to this could you please do us all a favor and keep on topic.
Well, I don’t consider myself an elitist. I probably make 1/3 the salary of most of the residents in this area. All I want is to be able to cross the street to go to the bank without some idiot driving crazy on the strip. I also want to be able to walk to Krogers without some guy following me home after I make my purchases. This is what happens when you LIVE in Oaklawn. Yes there are many underlying issues that need to be addressed but don’t call me selfish b/c I care about my safety.
Blake, I agree with you 100 & when you speak of reducing economic disparity, building drug rehab centers, establishing GLBT shelters/centers and fighting homophobia. As a matter of fact my paid job and all of my volunteer work in the community deal with every subject you touch on. As a volunteer Community Development Commissioner for District 2 with the city of Dallas I review Federal Budgets (Community Development Block Grants), hold public hearings, and make recommendations to the City Council on where those funds would be best spent within Federal guidelines to combat economic disparity, run drug rehab centers, build and operate shelters, and assist those living in poverty and low income better themselves and their neighborhoods. With the economy the way it is, it scares me to see how little money will be in the budgets for these programs this year and in the coming years.
The part that I do not agree with you on is the “elitist” comment. None of us who went to the meeting are elite or live in an elitist world. We’re not just talking about car break-ins and homeless begging for money. We’re also talking about professional pan handlers who I watch drive into the neighborhood beg for money and leave in their cars to drive home.
We’re talking about people who work, shop, play, and live in our community being confronted with guns in their faces and backs to turn over their money. We’re talking about people running red lights, speeding and coming close to hitting pedestrians. We’re talking about waiters and waitresses who work and live in the area who walk to and from work with money from tips in their pockets being assaulted. We’re talking about people like Jimmy Lee Dean who was robbed and then had his head smashed against the curb while continuing to have his head kicked in while being called all sorts of nasty names…a nasty Gay Hate Crime.
These types of problems are why we have police. The crimes I’ve witnessed, and the crimes friends and acquaintances have been victims of haven’t been crimes caused by people who left homophobic communities or been thrown out of their homes because they are GLBT.
The only way to control crime and to take our streets back and make them safe is to get involved with programs like Crime Watch, 10/20/70, and others. Although I’d love nothing more than to see more community centers, food kitchens, and substance abuse programs in our city and in Oak Lawn to deal with the problems you speak of, I also want safe streets from violent crimes that are taking place. The police just can’t work in neighborhoods and only fight certain crimes while letting other laws be broken.
Blake,
Your response sounds as “knee jerk” as your accusation. And after reading the reply from Mike who is involved with the community by doing volunteer work etc.. it is obvious your presence is missed in Getting Involved. You send a strong message in a blog to the Dallas voice but what of your time to get involved and do something where it really matters in the areas you are cirtisizing, The LGBT community does not need another arm chair critic, it needs people to get involved and be seen. Additional law enforcement in the Oak Lawn area is a welcome site and sends a message filling the void of the presence of people NOT getting involved such as yourself.
Pointing fingers as they always say “When you point your finger at someone or something remember there is still 3 more pointing back at YOU”
I am SO GLAD to see a stronger more visible police presense on Cedar Springs. I spend lots of time and not to mention lots of money at the bars, shops and restaurants on Cedar Springs. I do have to comment on what Blake says of being selfish and elitist to have more Dallas Police. What the heck is so selfish and elitist about that? I too am very glad to be able to withdrawl from the ATM machine and not get robbed while doing so. Hell, let the Police do their jobs. It’s interesting Blake that you would question what a majority of patrons find to be a great idea. The idea is….to “try” and stop crime and traffic violators. Try is all we can do. Crime is everywhere as is traffic violations. Sticking to the topic as I think everyone has in their respective responses, it looks like you completely went OFF TOPIC! Notice the title of the article, “Police reportedly cracking down on traffic violations in Cedar Springs area’. Have you ever tried crossing the street? Have you ever had your laptop computer stolen from you while using it and others around? Have you ever had your car broken into while enjoying cocktails and happy hour with friends? If not, than pretty much don’t worry about it. Until it happens to you then you’ll understand. As for sipping on cappuccinos…blah…blah…blah, get back on topic Blake.Police should patrol OUR neighborhood. It’s all we have and you best believe we want more and more Dallas Police patrol. I pay my taxes and we as a Gay community pump in so much money in the Cedar Springs area.If you miss the stop sign on Oaklawn and Cedar Springs and get a ticket, so beit! It says STOP! I have seen many upon many of idiot drivers speeding through Cedar Springs while other pedestrians try to cross the street. What do you want to read in the Voice next week?Someone was hit by a car going 50mph on Cedar Springs and was killed.Maybe your knee jerk response should be maybe to patrol the streets of the Gayborhood and start making a difference instead of condone us for trying to do something about it.Any police officer whether in Dallas or Arlington is going to issue you a citation if you miss a stop sign. It’s the law. Blake, please chill a bit. Drive at posted speed limits and look both ways before you cross.Police are here to make sure you follow the law and oh yeah, “PROTECT” us from criminals as well.Hope I stayed on topic sir!
I was on the balcony on JR’s and watched as the same cop issued citation after citation, sometimes to people waiting to make a left turn on Throckmorton. This is going to be bad for business because once word gets around, people will avoid driving on Cedar Springs for fear that even a perceived violation will get them pulled over. Let me be clear: if you’re speeding, you’re breaking the law and you should get a citation. But this sting is doing more than issue speeding citations.
Secondly, I will have a serious problem with this whole thing if the cops are just there during the day and continue to ignore the area at night, WHEN THEY ARE ACTUALLY NEEDED.