By Shawn Williams – Dallas South Editor

Do you know who your community prosecutor is?  It really doesn’t sound like someone you would want to know.  The name doesn’t do justice (excuse the pun) for the hard working group that is part of the Dallas City Attorney’s office. They strive to keep neighborhoods livable and make them more safe.

On July 28th, Assistant City Attorney Kandace Walter -Pleasant Grove Community Prosecutor- convened the Pleasant Grove Citizen Action Team (CAT) meeting.  The meeting was held at the Umphress recreation center.  Michelle Ross -VA-South Loop Community prosecutor was also present at the meeting.

In Pleasant Grove, as in other community prosecutor jurisdictions, citizens and their municipal officials get together to discuss problems in their neighborhoods that need fixing.  Representatives from the Dallas Police Department, Code Enforcement, City Hall, and other organizations were in attendance.

A big topic was code enforcement, from neighbors illegally adding on to their homes to the unauthorized operation of a “roach coach” (I didn’t know what a roach coach was until this meeting).  Residents complained that a local food truck was bringing unwelcomed pests to the neighborhood.

DPD was also told about street racing going on in the community and suspected drug activity.  Citizens were urged to have detailed descriptions when logging an issue with their community prosecutor (street name, address, description, etc).

And on a positive note, the group celebrated the upcoming opening of the new Eastfield College Pleasant Grove Campus at 802 S. Buckner Boulevard.  The opening celebration is scheduled for Monday August 3 from 2-7 PM.

The community prosecutors that I’ve met have a wealth of knowledge and are familiar with all the players on the municipal level and the neighborhood leaders as well.  They are willing to help citizens faced with code violations and work with the police to ensure that are handled appropriately.

Here is a list of community prosecutors (assistant city attorney’s) complete with biographies.