DART approves $32M for security, mental health support expansions
DART approves expansion of security, health resources
DART has approved an expansion to its security systems and mental health resources just days before three North Texas cities decide whether to leave the service. FOX 4's Lori Brown has more.
DALLAS - Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is touting a multi-million move that they say will expand its security and mental health support.
The move comes just days before voters in three North Texas cities will decide whether to withdraw from DART service.
DART expands security
What's new:
Tuesday night, the board approved spending $32 million to keep the expanded security presence going for one more year. The transit agency first added 100 security officers with federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act. The service's chair says now is the time to make the additional officers a permanent part of DART's budget.
DART Board Chair Randall Bryant says when the system added the extra officers four years ago, it brought crime down by 20 percent. The board says they are aware people are worried about safety on their trains and buses, and it's time to ensure permanent fixes to those issues.
Man tased by DART passenger in self-defense, later arrested on drug charges
Video captured at a Dallas DART station shows a passenger using a stun gun on a man in self-defense. The man was later arrested on narcotics charges after admitting to have smoked PCP earlier in the day.
Bryant says when the board approves its next 20-year financial plan in September, he wants this additional security included in the plan.
Bryant also said that whether people use DART or not, the region as a whole still reaps the benefits of the service.
What they're saying:
"The commerce and the activities that happen around the city in this region are benefited by one less car, and the air quality for generations to come is benefited by one less car," Bryant said. "So, no matter if you are in a member city of DART, if you utilize DART, if you don't utilize DART, your life is benefited by the work that we do here at DART."
DART mental health program
Dig deeper:
The board's vote will also fund DART's mental health program.
The initiative called "DART Cares" connects vulnerable riders with mental health services through a partnership with parkland health.
The funding will go to embed mental health clinicians alongside DART police to respond to individuals experiencing homelessness or a mental health crisis on the train.
The goal is to reduce the use of trains as shelters by connecting people with actual shelters.
DART launches Cares program to help homeless riders with mental health issues
The recently formed DART Cares team consists of a licensed behavioral health clinician from Parkland Health, a DART police officer and Dallas firefighter paramedic.
DART member city votes upcoming
What's next:
Addison, University Park and Highland Park are all holding elections on Saturday, May 2, to decide if voters want to withdraw from service.
If voters want to withdraw, service in their city would end immediately.
The three cities make up 3.7% of DART's budget.
DART would end services immediately in cities that vote to leave
Cities who choose to leave DART would immediately lose access to those services, the company said.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the DART Board of Directors.