Dallas Police and Fire Associations Disagree on City Council Picks

The Dallas Police Association (DPA) has officially endorsed challengers to City Council incumbents in three races for the upcoming election. The association believes that districts 4, 6, and 14 require better leadership for enhanced progress. The association’s President, Mike Mata, spoke about the necessity for stronger pro-public safety leaders to continue the city’s momentum of combating crime and ensuring safer neighborhoods for residents in every part of Dallas. District 4’s Carolyn King Arnold, District 6’s Omar Narvaez, and District 14’s Paul Ridley are the current council members who the DPA wants to see replaced.

Instead, the DPA would like to see Jamie Smith, an accountant, and community advocate, represent District 4. Monica Alonzo, a former City Council member who served three terms, should represent District 6, and the former Park Board representative to District 14, Amanda Schulz. In addition, the Dallas Fire Fighters Association has also endorsed the same candidates for the same races.

Mata did not respond to requests for comment regarding the association’s endorsements. However, he did express his opinion about Narvaez’s polarizing and divisive approach within the council. Furthermore, he accused Ridley of being unresponsive to residents’ needs. The statements were made in an interview with the right-leaning website, The Dallas Express. Mata stated that the association did not endorse Arnold due to Smith’s better candidature. Unfortunately, Arnold was not available for comment.

Jim McDade, President of the Dallas Fire Fighters Association, disclosed that their endorsement against the incumbents in Districts 4, 6, and 14 depends on their accessibility. He added that the lack of communication and doing things positively for public safety led to their endorsement.

In response, Ridley laughed at the allegations of being unapproachable and challenging to reach. He highlighted his frequent efforts to engage with the community for issues that include public safety. He claimed to attend various community events, public safety meetings, and town halls on public safety concerns. Additionally, he disclosed having a public safety town hall every two months for the Downtown Residents Council, which he attends without fail.

Schulz, Ridley’s opponent, claims that he hasn’t taken the lead on public safety in schools. She intends to increase neighborhood community policing programs, strengthen the Dallas Police Department, and improve the department’s partnership with the Dallas Independent School District if elected. However, Ridley maintained that he had already done everything Schulz promised to do if elected. Additionally, he pointed out his endorsement by the Black Police Association of Greater Dallas and the Dallas chapter of National Latino Law Enforcement Organization.

The Dallas Black Firefighters Association and the Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association endorsed all three incumbents in districts 4, 6, and 14. Narvaez, Ridley, and Arnold provide solutions that involve implementing crime watch organizations, increasing fire station funding, and strengthening district relationships with public safety bodies, including constables, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, the City Marshal’s Office, and the DISD Police Department.

Early voting for the Dallas City Council elections will end on May 2, with the election day set for May 6.