Many times I think Garland has put too little effort into extolling its good sides. There has been talk about addressing this but obviously more needs to be done. I see tourism ads for other cities that don't have near as much to offer as Garland. I hope we can make progress on this front soon!

We do have crime in Garland, but for a city over 100,000 we compare very well. Chief Mitch Bates will brief the Council at our next work session and we'll have more details. In the meantime, I saw an Associated Press article recently on some subject that I've forgotten—but what I did notice was its reference to Dallas: "…one of the highest-crime cities in America."

We don't get as much notice for the difference in our crime rate compared to our big, next door neighbor as we should.

That's why I was surprised to find that a part of Garland's gang efforts have received national attention. In a report entitled "Best Practices of Community Policing in Gang Intervention & Gang Violence Prevention," (large PDF) published by the United States Conference of Mayors, Garland's Youth Boxing Program for at risk children was listed.

 

The program provides a basis for promoting self-esteem and self-discipline that the children may not have available to them elsewhere. Energy is channeled into constructive activity versus destructive activity. The program started in a corner of a weight lifting gym, grew to include indoor racquetball courts at a local church, and is now in a building of its own. The gym has full equipment with two boxing rings.

 

Ironically, I was learning more about the program recently from Garland Police Department's Lt. Dave Swavey at the Garland Safety Fest. I'll get a refresher course from him and report more about this program.

We do a lot of great things in Garland and it's always nice to see those efforts recognized!

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