DALLAS – Police are ramping up traffic enforcement in parts of Oak Cliff. Dallas Police Department’s Southwest Patrol Division has launched a Speed and Drag Racing Task Force, according to a social media post by Councilman Scott Griggs.
The announcement of the task force comes days after a truck cracked into a home off W. Twelfth Street. Investigators say the vehicle involved in the crash had been racing another truck in that area and lost control.
"It crossed my mind that one of these days somebody’s going to lose it,” said Louis Vela. His home is now damaged and boarded up from the damage. “Somebody’s going to get hurt, and that’s what happened.”
Vela is among many Dallas residents who have long complained speeding and drag racing have become a big nuisance in some areas.
“It gets real bad,” said Elizabeth Partain.
Neighbors who are noticing police doing increased traffic stops along W. Twelfth Street are posting video on social media. Councilman Griggs says in the Task Force’s first day of the initiative, officers issued 29 tickets.
"They need to do that,” Partain said.
While most neighbors believe the speeding task force initiative is a good thing, back at Vela’s house there is still a big mess to clean up. He says he’s optimistic the initiative will make a difference.
”Well, it’s a start,” Vela explained. “It’s a good start. It’s going to take a little while I believe.”
Vela believes a consistent police presence will be key to cracking down on the speeding and drag racing issues.
Though sources say similar initiatives are being launched in other patrol divisions, representatives from the Dallas Police Department have yet to comment about the Task Force.