On a stifling Wednesday afternoon, Deep Ellum was buzzing with families, artists, musicians and revelers alike, popping in and out of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Despite the heat — both from the summer sun and recent crimes — the entertainment hub just south of downtown was hopping.

Over the summer, crime from late-night crowds (midnight to 3 a.m.-ish) has hit a boiling point. On July 5, a fight in a parking lot led to five people getting shot; 22-year-old Caylen Fritz died from his injuries. There were two other shootings in June, one resulting in another death.

In late July, Deep Ellum business owners and Dallas City Council Member Jesse Moreno met at St. Pete's Dancing Marlin to discuss urgent safety improvements. One idea was to bring in a consultant who manages a successfu

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