Not a crime wave, but growing concern

According to city statistics, crime in University Park is not increasing. But recent events have led residents to question whether more should be done to prevent criminal activity.

Between January and August 2024, 341 Group A crimes were reported in University Park, compared to 333 in the same months in 2023. And there were fewer crimes reported this summer than last year, according to police department statistics.

Group A crimes generally include serious crimes such as assault, burglary and fraud. Other, smaller crimes are tracked by the National Incident-Based Reporting System only when arrest data is available.

While the number of serious crimes has not increased, there is cause for concern thanks to headlines and recent activity by local residents.

In September, a man identified as 46-year-old Omar Nasir was seen loitering near area schools and, in at least one case, appearing to take photographs of students.

Nasir was arrested by University Park police officers on September 19 after they accused him of jaywalking. He posted $200 bail and was released, only to be arrested again by Dallas police, this time for allegedly injuring an elderly woman who identified herself as his mother. As this issue went to press, he remained in jail on $10,000 bail.

University Park resident Ashley Cook hosted a community meeting at her home on Oct. 6 to find out how neighbors can work with police to crack down on illegal activity.

“I grew up here and we just didn’t have that many people coming to the Park Cities and committing crimes,” Cook said.

Creating crimes of opportunity, such as leaving car doors unlocked and key fobs inside, encourages criminals to return, UP Patrol Lt. Allison Smith told about 35 residents who attended the meeting.

Criminals learned the area was an “easy target,” Smith said. “If they come here and steal a car that way, they know there are others that way.”

Residents discussed changing city ordinances to restrict sleeping in UP parks at any time of the day. The parks are closed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. However, during the day, police do not have the authority to remove homeless people unless they have an outstanding warrant or are committing a crime, Smith explained.

Residents suggested increasing the law enforcement presence in Preston Center west of Preston Road and around Boone Elementary by paying off-duty officers to patrol. Those areas are both in Dallas, meaning UP officers cannot routinely patrol there, Smith said.

Resident Gareth Walters suggested offering a class or talk on situational awareness.

“I think there is a huge gap between law enforcement and civilians,” he said, explaining that people may not know how to assess the area around them. “People have blinders on because they don’t know and don’t want to get involved.”

Smith said she will bring residents’ ideas back to the University Park Police Department.

“I feel like we have some great initiatives to work with,” Cook said at the end of the meeting, “and I think it’s great that everyone is so willing to support the police.”