FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Monica Gonzalez
VP of Marketing and Communications
email: gonzalez@downtowndallas.com
phone: (214) 744-1270

Downtown Dallas, Inc. Announces July and August 2024 Initiatives for Safety, Cleanliness, Vibrancy

DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) today announced a variety of vibrant activities and enhancements for Summer 2024, aimed at enriching the Downtown experience for residents, workers, and visitors.

“DDI is laser focused on ensuring Downtown remains clean, safe, and vibrant for all,” said President & CEO Jennifer Scripps. “We are thrilled to unveil a series of new and improved programming and to highlight our core on-demand services available seven days a week, 365 days a year.”

DDI encourages the use of the See Say app, available on iPhone and Android, to request DDI Field Operations teams for non-emergency, quality of life concerns between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. anywhere in the Central Business District.

Summer Activations and Events: DDI has planned a series of exciting events throughout the summer at various parks and public spaces throughout Downtown this summer. Activities include:

• Live music and vendors every day (except Mondays) | Pegasus Plaza | 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Summer Storytime | Harwood Park, Wednesdays | 10 a.m.
• Goat Yoga | Harwood Park, 1st Saturday of the Month | 9 a.m.
• VIP Night Markets | Pegasus Plaza, every Saturday night | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Saturday Morning Yoga | Pacific Plaza, Saturdays | 9 a.m.

Focused Security Investments: DDI is making focused, incremental investments in public spaces that typically draw a high concentration of people throughout the week.

One of the first areas of focus this summer is Pegasus Plaza, located in the heart of the Main Street District at Main and Akard streets. Dallas Marshals funded by DDI are now stationed seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and are available to respond to calls for service as needed.

Given the unique challenges of urban environments, the DDI Security Team remains vigilant and prepared to serve with additional DDI Security officers working overtime, providing additional eyes and ears at targeted Downtown parks from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Homeless Outreach Initiatives: DDI continues its innovative “relate and refer” Homeless Outreach program in partnership with Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition and Dallas and DART police departments. DDI’s Homeless Outreach Team provides compassionate and effective engagement with people experiencing homelessness to refer them to the services they need to find housing. DDI is also a key partner in ongoing operations to rehouse people experiencing homelessness in Downtown area encampments.

Our Homeless Outreach Homeward Bound program provides bus transportation to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with friends or loved ones, facilitating reunifications and offering a pathway to stability. The program helps divert hundreds of people annually out of homelessness.

Ambassador Program: The DDI Ambassador position has been revamped to focus on public-facing customer service. Ambassadors are now equipped to engage visitors and residents, offering information about the best restaurants, retail spots, and entertainment options in Downtown. They also support the execution of DDI events in public spaces.

Safety and Cleanliness Enhancements: DDI’s Field Operations Teams, including the Security, Clean, and Homeless Outreach teams, work tirelessly to maintain the beauty and safety of Downtown Dallas. The Clean Team, recognizable by their green shirts, removes litter, graffiti, and maintains public spaces. The Security team, in blue shirts, provides supplemental safety services, and the Homeless Outreach team, in purple shirts, supports individuals experiencing homelessness.

Courtesy Walks: For those who need assistance getting to a Downtown destination, DDI offers courtesy walks upon request. This service is available to anyone living, working, or visiting Downtown and ensures safe passage to their destinations during DDI’s operating hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For more information on these initiatives and to stay updated on summer activities, visit Downtown Dallas, Inc.

About Downtown Dallas, Inc. Enhanced Services

DDI services Downtown Dallas’ public spaces, including streets, sidewalks, and parks, as well as at outdoor events and special initiatives.

If there’s a public space in the area bounded by Woodall Rodgers Freeway to the north, I-345 to the east, I-30 to the south and I-35E to the west, DDI can help with Security, Cleaning and Homeless Outreach.

DDI works closely with partner organizations that provide enhanced services for surrounding neighborhoods.

For more information, visit downtowndallas.com.

How to Reach DDI Clean, Safe, and Homeless Outreach Teams

You can report incidents through the See Say app, by calling the dispatch number for DDI Security and Clean Team at 214.741.1151, or by texting a report to 972.440.1995.

Hours of Operation:

DDI Security: Daily, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Clean Team: Daily, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Homeless Outreach: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ambassadors: Hours vary

About DDI Security

A team of security officers committed to ensuring the public safety throughout Downtown Dallas.

Security operates in a supplemental role to the Dallas Police Department, responding to non-emergency tips and helping patrol the area seven days a week.

Each year, Security responds to nearly 30,000 incidents, including more than 5,000 tips received through the See Say app.

Notify one of our uniformed Security team members in person (look for the blue shirts!)

About DDI Clean Team

A team of full-time employees dedicated to maintaining the beauty and accessibility of streets, sidewalks and public spaces in Downtown Dallas.

Clean Team removes litter, graffiti, dog waste and gum, pressure-washes sidewalks, maintains trees and plants, and conducts cleaning and repairs of benches, bike racks and trash receptacles.

Each year, the Clean Team removes more than 5,000 pieces of graffiti and stickers, 3,500 cubic yards of litter and debris, and power washes more than 3 million square feet of sidewalks.

Notify one of our uniformed Clean Team members in person (look for the green shirts!)

About DDI Homeless Outreach

A team devoted to supporting the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness in Downtown Dallas.

Through a “relate and refer” approach, Outreach team members engage individuals and connect them to resources that meet their specific needs and circumstances.

Each year, the Outreach team engages with people experiencing homelessness more than 5,800 times, leading to nearly 500 reunifications with loved ones via bus transportation.

Notify one of our uniformed Outreach team members in person (look for the purple shirts!)

About DDI Ambassadors

Ambassadors help residents and visitors make the most of their Downtown Dallas experience. They serve as a resource for the best arts and entertainment, dining, nightlife, shopping, recreation and events.

Locate one of our uniformed Ambassadors in person (look for the lime green shirts!)

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About Downtown Dallas, Inc.:

Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI), is the champion of a clean and safe Downtown and of the economic development and vibrancy of this community of diverse, unique neighborhoods. DDI:

• Mobilizes and amplifies the services of public agencies.
• Advocates for catalytic developments that strengthen Downtown.
• Provides care for the communities and public spaces it stewards.

DDI elevates the quality of life for residents, workers, visitors, and other stakeholders.