Dallas City Council Member Cara Mendelsohn called Sunday for a review of police staffing and preparations after three shootings in Deep Ellum killed four people and injured 15 others within about 75 minutes. She said the city's October 13 hiring report listed 3,447 sworn officers, which is 553 below the 4,000-officer minimum voters approved under Proposition U.
Mendelsohn's request covers staffing levels, deployment locations, threat intelligence, crowd management, traffic control and coordination with businesses and private security. She said the review should look at warning signs and preventive measures and should not focus on blame. She also praised responding police and Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel and suggested state help, such as the Texas Department of Public Safety or the Texas Rangers, if needed.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said at a Sunday news conference, "We were fully staffed out here." He said police had planned for Halloween falling on a Saturday and praised officers who ran toward gunfire and gave lifesaving care. Asked how much staffing had increased, Comeaux said he could not give a percentage. He said the department held planning meetings throughout the week.