Most violent areas in Dallas (Fort Worth, University Park: apartment, condo, home)

[Swordfish]

Originally Posted by MSPMom

This map is very helpful for those of us who are new to Dallas. But it leaves me puzzled. I kept hearing that Oak Cliff and most areas south of downtown were supposedly horrible...or at least much worse than North Dallas, etc. It doesn't seem like these numbers reflect that. And, I was at a somewhat fancy dinner party over the weekend where some local folks kept saying how wonderful Oak Cliff is, despite the shady parts that should be avoided. And someone recommended we strongly consider Kessler Park. So what gives with the Oak Cliff bashing?

Realism absorbs the ideal by adding a few small imperfections. Example: it paints a few specks of mud on the white gown of the Lady in the Garden.

[cityconvo]

Another example of misinformation concerning Oak Cliff reported in the DMN.

Man found dead in southeast Oak Cliff home 9:11 AM CT | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

This is certainly a horrible incident. However, it did not occur in Oak Cliff and it is this type of reporting anything negative below I30 as being in The Cliff that feeds the image problems of this area.

Poster IWasGlad on the Morning News website puts it into context by aptly stating

"That address is NOT in Oak Cliff. It is Southeast Dallas. The Dallas Morning News seems to think that anything south of downtown is called "Oak Cliff" and any crimes commited are automatically attributed to Oak Cliff. Most Cliff Dwellers are as exsaperated as I am with the DMN. How about this: "SHOOTINGS ON THE HIGH FIVE IN NORTHEAST PRESTON HOLLOW""

[Dallas native]

Originally Posted by cityconvo

Another example of misinformation concerning Oak Cliff reported in the DMN.

Man found dead in southeast Oak Cliff home 9:11 AM CT | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

This is certainly a horrible incident. However, it did not occur in Oak Cliff and it is this type of reporting anything negative below I30 as being in The Cliff that feeds the image problems of this area.

Poster IWasGlad on the Morning News website puts it into context by aptly stating

"That address is NOT in Oak Cliff. It is Southeast Dallas. The Dallas Morning News seems to think that anything south of downtown is called "Oak Cliff" and any crimes commited are automatically attributed to Oak Cliff. Most Cliff Dwellers are as exsaperated as I am with the DMN. How about this: "SHOOTINGS ON THE HIGH FIVE IN NORTHEAST PRESTON HOLLOW""

Yea, that area is not even remotely part of Oak Cliff. It takes a village to keep an eye out on the DMN and its irresponsible journalism.

[MaryS80]

I will second that, Skillman and 635 used to a pretty vibrant area. The crappy apartments are just bringing the Lake Highlands area down. Dallas should take a cue from Garland.

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

I'm betting if you checked the TIME that most "crimes" in that location occured it would be LATE LATE night.

I'm with Lakewooder as well. Most of these areas are being redeveloped. The old crappy apartment complexes have been torn down. EXCEPT for the Skillman/Audelia/Forest area. Hopefully soon that one will redevelop as well.

[FarNorthDallas]

When it's bad news in Lake Highlands, it's called Northeast Dallas.

[Texas Mack]

Maybe they'd do better to just give a general direction of the city, like they do on/in the news in San Antonio and Houston... "NE Houston" or "West San Antonio", for example.

That would do better to cover them from gaffes like that one.

[homesick in Hawaii]

"And, I was at a somewhat fancy dinner party over the weekend where some local folks kept saying how wonderful Oak Cliff is, despite the shady parts that should be avoided. And someone recommended we strongly consider Kessler Park. So what gives with the Oak Cliff bashing?"


I was born and raised in Oak Cliff and lived there more than 50 yrs until I moved to Hawaii. Granted it is an old section of town and is reflected in the architecture, street conditions, and general housing. There are iffy parts all over, however Kessler, North Oak Cliff, The Canty district, Vernon, are all nice areas with some stunning homes.

The Davis corridor is mixed, some upscale dining and shopping in the Bishop Arts district, alongside Tacqarias, Garages, tire stores etc.. So zoning has always been an issue. I lived at 734 Winston street for over 20 yrs. and that little capsule of neighborhood was completely different than the surrounding area. Look it up on Googlemaps, you will be surprised how comfy and secure the area is.

South OC, Southwest OC, are areas that have become iffy or were to begin with, lots of small, uncared for tract homes that were once housing for Vought Aircraft people years ago.

I think alot of the OC bashing historically came from neighborhoods to the north who considered it, "the other side of the tracks, or river as it were". That perception may be changing with new demographics and people who actually go and visit.

I remember having a girlfriend in Farmers Branch, she was afraid to tell her parents where I was from, and if her friends found out they would avoid me because I was an automatic thug.

There is a major Hispanic population there with the Jefferson Corridor reflecting it in the retail areas. Again, the better parts with homes that are charming, old, well built and maintained are on the northside of the area bordered by i-30 and Hampton back to Tyler and Van Buren.

Don't be afraid to visit, no one bites, unless you bite first. The entire of OC has a "tough" reputation fostered by folks that really never visited or knew much about the area. In the 50's OC started experiencing "white Flight" which contributed to it's unsavory reputation.

If you desire gated communites, cookie cutter style mansions, Bent Tree type of ambiance, you won't find much of it there. If you like old style architecture, a funky urban vibe, some happening spots to eat and be seen, then you would love OC.

I visit about every three years, and as soon as I enter OC, I feel at home. I dash over to the Tejano Restaurant for my Mexican fix, and just absorb the smells, and funky urban feeling of the place, It's not Bishop St. In Honolulu, but Bishop st. in OC is a very cool place.

[Acntx]

Originally Posted by Dallas native

Yea, that area is not even remotely part of Oak Cliff. It takes a village to keep an eye out on the DMN and its irresponsible journalism.

I agree, Dallas native. Another issue I have with them is their web site. If there is a story pertaining to the southern sector of Dallas, the southern suburbs, or the older inner-ring suburbs (Garland, Mesquite, etc.), you can surely bet that the comments section will be filled with off-topic bigoted, stereotypical, and hateful remarks whether it is a good story or a bad one. What's worse is that these sections are supposedly "moderated" with guidelines that state, "We welcome your thoughts and information related to this article. When leaving comments please stay on topic and be respectful of others." They don't even know how enforce the rules that they set.

[eastdallasson]

I'm not sure what the point of arguing over the boundaries of what you want to be considered oakcliff is. Where that murder occurred is definitely considered oakcliff whether it was historically or not. Its called Highland Hills. I think the reason Oakcliff has become such a broad area is not just the fault of the DMN or news media who want to bash the area by turning Oakcliff into a derrogatory label; the people who live in these neighborhoods consider it oakcliff, so its reported as oakcliff. Forgive the dallas pop culture reference but for those of you who have heard the song "Oakcliff that's my hood" well it gives specific mention to highland hills and village oaks....two apartment complexes right next to where that murder happened. there's a lot of self-association here. whether or not people who lived there 30 years ago agree. An easy way to identify it is by school. Kids in so many high schools will say they're in oakcliff so the whole feeder area becomes oakcliff to its students. If this trend worries you get used to it because its happening to pleasant grove. For someone who lives in a reasonably nice house in East Dallas, if its off Buckner or Jim Miller anywhere 30 or south its now automatically pleasant grove. Its absurd but people have decided it gives them a little more edge to be from the 'cliff or from the 'grove. It may cause a perversion of the neighborhood boundaries in the historical sense but...what ya gonna do?

[Dallas native]

Originally Posted by eastdallasson

I'm not sure what the point of arguing over the boundaries of what you want to be considered oakcliff is. Where that murder occurred is definitely considered oakcliff whether it was historically or not. Its called Highland Hills. I think the reason Oakcliff has become such a broad area is not just the fault of the DMN or news media who want to bash the area by turning Oakcliff into a derrogatory label; the people who live in these neighborhoods consider it oakcliff, so its reported as oakcliff. Forgive the dallas pop culture reference but for those of you who have heard the song "Oakcliff that's my hood" well it gives specific mention to highland hills and village oaks....two apartment complexes right next to where that murder happened. there's a lot of self-association here. whether or not people who lived there 30 years ago agree. An easy way to identify it is by school. Kids in so many high schools will say they're in oakcliff so the whole feeder area becomes oakcliff to its students. If this trend worries you get used to it because its happening to pleasant grove. For someone who lives in a reasonably nice house in East Dallas, if its off Buckner or Jim Miller anywhere 30 or south its now automatically pleasant grove. Its absurd but people have decided it gives them a little more edge to be from the 'cliff or from the 'grove. It may cause a perversion of the neighborhood boundaries in the historical sense but...what ya gonna do?

The fact remains that many of these areas that get lumped in with Oak Cliff were never a part of Oak Cliff. That they are considered by many to be a part of the OC proves that years of misinformation has taken its toll and a lot of people have bought into it. But, that doesn't make it reality. In addition to the irresponsible reporting over many decades by the DMN, there are other factors that have contributed to the problem. One of them was that the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce itself contributed to the misinformation. I suppose it was in an effort to boost their membership that they sought to stake claim to the broadest area possible. But in so doing, they absorbed a lot of undesirable areas. Ironic.

Correcting misinformation that has been so ingrained in the culture of this city for so long is a very difficult task. But, there are those among us who do not believe that we should just accept it. I liked the suggestion above that the DMN should start reporting where things happen by geographic location such as SE, SW, NE, NW or by specific neighborhoods like Highland Hills, Singing Hills, Village Oaks or whatever. If accuracy in reporting is really important to the DMN, then that's one way to show it.