Dallas South News Wire (Dallas County District Attorney Office)
“During this critical budget process, I want to reiterate the importance of prioritizing public safety as the top concern for the citizens of Dallas County,” said Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins. “While I recognize the financial crisis the County is facing, I also need to point out that due to budget cuts over the last two years, there is nothing left to cut at the District Attorney’s office.
There are currently 25 positions in our office that the County has proposed to be cut in the 2011 budget. The proposed cuts will have a direct impact on our ability to prosecute certain types of criminal offenses, including gang violence, elder abuse, mortgage fraud, human trafficking, child pornography and Internet crimes.
Given that we already have a smaller budget than Tarrant County, I cannot in good faith accept proposals that limit our office’s ability to continue making Dallas County safe. Any additional cuts to positions within the Dallas County District Attorney’s office will harm our ability to provide the level of public safety that the citizens expect and deserve.
This is not about me or saving people’s jobs. It is the simple reality that if we do not have the necessary funding to run an effective office, we will neither have enough prosecutors to handle the current caseload nor will we have enough investigators to assist in preparing cases for trial. The domino-effect on the criminal justice system in Dallas County will be devastating if the District Attorney’s office is not adequately funded.
I am asking the County Commissioners to understand that leadership is about setting priorities. My number one priority is providing public safety by prosecuting individuals who commit crime in Dallas County, and I am going to fight for the resources my office needs to do its job effectively. At the end of the day, I am optimistic that we will be able to work with Commissioners to resolve this issue without eliminating any positions at the District Attorney’s office and therefore protecting public safety.”
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