Mayor Eric Johnson lauds ‘Operation Shut Down Corner’ partnership in Hamilton Park

DALLAS — Mayor Eric Johnson on Friday lauded the work of “Operation Shut Down Corner” to stop violent gang activity that has terrorized the historically African American northeast Dallas neighborhood of Hamilton Park.

The United States Attorney’s Office this week announced the arrests of 20 individuals — many of whom already had violent criminal histories — in connection with the operations of a well-known violent street gang in the Hamilton Park area. In addition, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced the seizure of 37 guns and 220 pounds of drugs — including cocaine, fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, methamphetamine, and marijuana — in connection with the case.

The investigation was led by a task force of federal law enforcement agencies in partnership with the Dallas Police Department.

“This is the kind of cooperative work that can have a major impact on public safety in our city,” Mayor Johnson said. “Together, we are continuing to send a clear message: We are no longer going to allow our communities that have been plagued by violent crime to be terrorized. And Hamilton Park is a wonderful neighborhood full of people who deserve to be kept safe from gangs and violent drug dealers.

“I am grateful to the Dallas City Council, Police Chief Eddie Garcia, and our federal partners for making public safety this city’s top priority. The tide is turning in Dallas, and with continued cooperation like what we saw in this case, we will achieve our goal of becoming the safest large city in the country.”

Mayor Johnson serves as a member of the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, which is advising Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz on the nomination of a new U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has a history of working with the city to fight crime in Dallas neighborhoods.

“I have impressed upon Senator Cornyn and Senator Cruz the need for the next United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas to continue and expand our partnerships to reduce violent crime,” Mayor Johnson said. “Both senators understand clearly the need for our next United States Attorney to be a collaborator who is committed to public safety. We must look at using every available tool to stop violent criminals from terrorizing our neighborhoods, and the federal government can play a significant role in helping to make Dallas and its 1.4 million residents safer.”