DALLAS—The Dallas Police Department is expanding its Starlight crime-fighting program, which uses software and cameras to prevent crimes at convenience stores, gas stations and other retail outlets, CultureMap Dallas reports.

As NACS Daily reported last year, the police department launched the program in November 2019 as a six-month pilot to increase collaboration between police officers and local businesses. Initial installations were at two 7-Eleven stores and the Ferguson Food Mart and Texaco Gas Station, at Ferguson Road and I-635.
The Dallas Police Department said the pilot program has reduced crime at those locations by 35% since its inception and has led to a nearly 40% reduction in calls for police services, CultureMap Dallas reports.

“The technology has also improved efficiency by giving our officers additional insight when responding to events at participating locations,” Dallas Chief of Police Reneé Hall said in a statement. “They know what to expect before they arrive on the scene, so they can resolve incidents quickly and spend more time in the community, where they have the greatest impact.”

The cameras are connected to the Dallas Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center and show what’s happening in real time. Each store is equipped with cameras, signage and a blue light to indicate that the store is being monitored by the DPD.

Four additional locations in the city are slated to join the program, including an American Dollar Plus Store, EZ Trip Food Store and two Chevron gas stations.