Dallas city councilman calls for more action against random gunfire

Councilman Maxie Johnson's calls come as DPD patrol officers work new special assignments to patrol for and respond to random gunfire.

Dallas city council member Maxie Johnson is renewing calls for action when it comes to responding to random gunfire in his district. Johnson’s calls come three months after Dallas City Council tasked Dallas Police to come up with more solutions for random gunfire.

It’s a concern that the councilman mostly hears in southwest Dallas, but Johnson says random gunfire in District 4 is now coming dangerously close to those who live there.

"My own daughter was lying in her bed, and a bullet came through the wall and went through the mattress," Johnson said.

Johnson is now demanding immediate, visible action to help protect his district.

"Some of the community members have told me that when they call 311 and call 911 and do what we asked them to do that sometimes, police officers do not even show up until the very next day, which is concerning for me. I've spoken to Chief Comeaux about this, and he's looking into this matter as well," Johnson said.

"It's not any better, sometimes I feel like that it's worse," Ola Allen said.

NBC 5 spoke with 20-year Marsalis Park resident Ola Allen last fall, several months after DPD started testing a new gunshot detection system. Allen was encouraged, but now says her hopes of hearing less random gunfire have been shot.

"My community basically is 67% seniors, and when I say seniors, I mean like 79 through 100, and they are afraid," Johnson said.

District 4 is among the top three areas where Dallas police get the most calls for random gunfire. The Southwest Division has had 967 calls so far this year for random gunfire.

This week, NBC 5 learned that Dallas Police patrol officers are now working special assignments to patrol for and respond to random gunfire incidents in certain areas.

Thursday, Chief Daniel Comeaux had a new warning for felons firing off shots in Dallas.

"If you've committed a felony, and you're carrying a gun, I am calling the U.S. Attorney to put you in jail, to keep you in jail," Comeaux said.

Firing a gun in Dallas carries a penalty of up to $4,000 in fines and one year in jail.

Comeaux’s warning comes weeks before DPD is set to roll out new gunshot detection technology, including drones that can respond to random gunfire calls in under two minutes, which could help with the challenge of when offenders quickly leave the area or go inside after firing shots.

Johnson says his district has now started a public safety steering committee, coming up with more solutions. He says they are ready to see results.

DPD says its officers respond to random gunfire calls when witnesses call 911 and when gunshot detection systems activate.

DPD encourages people to continue to call when they hear gunfire; those calls are tracked and resources are deployed based on that data.