DALLAS — Eric Johnson took the oath of office on the stage of the Winspear Opera House on Monday morning to become the 60th mayor of Dallas.
“A new day for Dallas means a new day for civility at City Hall. We can attack problems without attacking each other,” Johnson told the crowd.
The new mayor said public safety is one of his top priorities.
It was also on the minds of many people Monday morning after law enforcement officers shot and killed an active shooter outside the federal courthouse in downtown Dallas, about a dozen blocks away and just a couple hours before the new mayor and council were sworn in.
Johnson said he wants police Chief Reneé Hall to “strengthen partnerships” with state and local law enforcement to add more officers to Dallas’ streets. The city has had a spike in murders recently, and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are already assisting Dallas police.
The mayor said he met with DPS Director Steve McCraw in Austin last week and was assured state resources would assist Dallas during its crime wave like they did in San Antonio last year.
The last council developed factions and had become better known for its divisiveness rather than working together on issues like finding money to increase the police force and the terrible condition many city streets are in.
But with six newly elected council members, there was a sense of optimism and unity at the inauguration.
One of the biggest civic questions now is how the police department can increase its staffing to levels it reached over the last decade. Lower pay and benefits drove many veterans to retire. Morale remains low at the police department and the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization’s Dallas chapter called on the chief to resign.
Incoming councilman David Blewett, District 14, said he thinks there’s money in the existing budget to hire new officers. Councilman Adam Bazaldua, District 7, and Chad West, District 1, said they wanted to examine the issue.
They’ll have a chance to do that at tomorrow’s budget briefing.
Johnson said his agenda also includes civility, eradicating corruption, improving education, developing a skilled workforce, and creating a data-driven city,
“There is no place in government for corruption,” Johnson continued and said he would shepherd a rewriting of the city’s Code of Ethics. Former Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway went to prison for corruption last month.
Johnson credited one of his school teachers and said expanding full-day public Pre-K and affordable childcare are also on his to-do list.
“Over the next four years, there will greater support from the mayor’s office for improving public schools,” the mayor added.
Two outgoing councilmen were noticeably absent at the event. Councilman Scott Griggs, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Johnson, and Philip Kingston did not attend. Both self-styled watchdogs frequently clashed with Mayor Mike Rawlings and some colleagues.
Councilman Chad West, who replaced the term-limited Griggs on council, said Griggs had a death in the family.
Also, in attendance Monday morning, were Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown, Chief Hall, state Rep. Rafael Anchia, and Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach watching his daughter and councilwoman Jennifer Staubach Gates, among others.