Dallas Police, Mayor Tout Success of Operation Justice Trail With Fugitive Arrest

A four-month police operation in Dallas that went after the city's most violent and repeat criminals ended on Tuesday with an arrest that Chief Daniel Comeaux and Mayor Eric Johnson saw.

Operation Justice Trail aimed to locate and apprehend individuals with lengthy criminal records who were on the run, and it was one of Comeaux's first major projects as chief earlier this year. Between April 1 and August 31, the Dallas Police Department worked with the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force to arrest 349 individuals and clear 583 outstanding warrants, according to the government. The authorities had previously arrested the fugitives more than 1,900 times.

Comeaux said, "It just shows that the people we are going after and taking off the streets are the ones who are going to keep committing crimes."

On Tuesday, Comeaux and Johnson worked with Dallas' Fugitive Unit to catch Christopher Alexander, who cops said was one of the most dangerous criminals in the city. Before Alexander was arrested, police used flash bangs and drones to monitor him while the mayor watched.

He said, "You are getting rid of the worst of the worst here, so I appreciate you doing that."

People often refer to the city's plan as "hotspot policing," but Johnson defended it by saying it is a more innovative and more data-driven approach. "This is smart policing; they are going after crime where it is happening, and it is working," he said.

"We want to be known as the most proactive police department in the United States," Comeaux said. The chief shares that Austin aims to be the safest, largest city in America."

The success of the operation coincides with Dallas leaders' consideration of a new city budget. Johnson said that City Manager T.C. Broadnax's suggested budget includes an extra $60 million for the fire and police departments. The mayor stated that the money will provide Comeaux with the necessary tools to continue making progress.