How DPD’s Latino community policing program adapted in the pandemic

Dallas Police Sgt. Eddie Reyes had to quickly adapt plans for the department’s Latino outreach efforts when the coronavirus pandemic made large in-person gatherings too risky.

After its longtime supervisor retired in 2019, Reyes was tasked with revamping the Unidos program, which is the department’s community policing program aimed at Latinos that started in 2015.

The coronavirus pandemic didn’t stop the sergeant from finding safe ways to connect with the Latino community in Dallas — made up of varying ethnicities, immigration statuses and perspectives on policing. And as crime began to rise, Reyes worked to find ways to build trust — particularly among unauthorized immigrants — so they would report and help police solve crimes.

Reyes and another Unidos officer, Victor Guardiola, run the program. In-person events switched to virtual Zoom events. Police engagements mostly shifted to outdoor, socially distanced events. Unidos broke down a major barrier this year by having Spanish-language events.

In its Chief’s advisory meeting last week, usually made up of community stakeholders, it was the first time that English was barely uttered.

Deputy Chief Reuben Ramirez, over the criminal investigations divisions, greeted members in Spanish.

Acknowledging the ground-breaking, Dallas Mexican Consul Francisco de la Torre said at the meeting, “me da mucho gusto.” (I’m glad). Other leaders from the Latino community, activists and representatives from the Catholic Charities also attended as well as area residents.

One mother who had lost her son to gun violence told those gathered that she wanted to be a part of the solution.

“Yo lo que quiero es ayudar,” the mother said. (I want to help.)

Leaders in the session said many immigrants, particularly those without citizenship status, are afraid to report crimes to the police after SB4 went into effect in 2017. The Texas law gives police officers the discretion to question the immigration status of people they detain or arrest. A person can’t be stopped only to ask about their immigration status.

Immigrant rights groups have called the law “anti-immigrant.”

Those who are a victim or a witness to a crime are not asked about immigration status. Dallas police officials have worked to educate the immigrant community on their rights with the law.

Myrna Mendez, who lives in Northwest Dallas, shared that she and her neighbors created a neighborhood association thanks to Unidos.

“Hemos tomado muy enserio su mensaje que la policía quiere trabajar con la comunidad,” Mendez said in the meeting. (We have taken DPD’s message about wanting to work with the community seriously.)

“Escuchar una persona en uniforme …decir ‘yo no soy immigraccion es muy importante,’” Mendez said. (Hearing a police officer in uniform say ‘I’m not immigration’ is important.)

Stories of immigrants with no criminal histories who were deported after a traffic stop in Texas have sparked deep fear in the community.

Reyes, a 13-year veteran of the department, believes city police should prioritize public safety.

Within the immigrant community, he sees much of his family in the people he tries to help.

They’re driven by faith and their families, hardworking and humble.

“I want to let them know that they have the same voice as everybody else,” he said.

A call to service

The son of Mexican immigrants who raised him in Oak Cliff, Reyes understands the Latino community’s issues.

Concerns about random gunfire. Wanting good opportunities for their kids. The fear of being pulled over by an officer and not speaking English well.

After high school, he enlisted and became a Marine. He was deployed to Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. He returned home and became a police officer in 2007.

Some of his favorite moments in policing have been when he used his badge to help a “voiceless” community.

Once he received messages from a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood about cars being unfairly towed. When he called the apartment complex’s property manager, they quickly stopped the predatory practice.

“Just the fact that we called and started asking questions, they contacted residents and said they were going to make it right,” Reyes said. “That affects a person’s livelihood.”

Original plans for Unidos this year included an increase in community policing staff with bilingual officers at all patrol divisions. But the pandemic and an increase in crime temporarily suspended those assignments as more officers were needed in patrol.

Reyes leaned on Facebook as a way to stay connected to people.

On social media, he responds to basic questions about policing. Some will inquire about an update on a police report or forming a volunteer patrol group. Other issues are more serious, such as how to report domestic violence or sexual violence.

Unidos also comes to help when the community is in need.

When Hurricane Eta devastated Central America, Reyes and Guardiola organized a donations drive. Dozens of people showed up to help, including Latino business owners.

Those acts of service slowly build trust, Reyes said. He didn’t have much interaction with people on the Facebook page in the beginning, he said, but now it has amassed thousands of followers.

On a weekend event before Thanksgiving, Unidos passed out Turkeys to families in need in Pleasant Grove, a predominantly Latino working-class community in Southeast Dallas.

Social media can be full of negativity, but the group’s page was full of hundreds of messages of gratitude in Spanish.

“Es lo q andaba buscandodios te bendiga.” (This is what I was looking for. God bless you.)

“Dios los bendiga siempre.” (God bless you all, forever.)

“Bendiciones.” (Blessings.)

Not one message goes unnoticed by Reyes.

“This isn’t a job for me,” Reyes said. “They really are the best.”