A city councilmember says she wants the city to examine policy changes to balance the spirit of the season with consideration for neighbors and taxpayers
DALLAS — The Dallas Police Department spent more than $25,000 as hundreds of spectators a night descended on a Preston Hollow home with a viral Christmas light display, a city councilwoman said Tuesday.
The nearly 9,000-square-foot home and yard in the 6200 block of Deloache Avenue twinkle with lights from top to bottom, including the yard, and the yard is lined with everything from decorative reindeer, nutcrackers and a Santa with President-elect Trump’s face.
The house has drawn such a crowd that off-duty Dallas police officers were hired by a third party to help with traffic flow on the street.
But on-duty DPD officers also had to work eight nights at the location this holiday season — spending $25,375 in personnel, vehicle and helicopter costs, the department told city councilmembers.
The department calculated 250 hours of vehicles on scene cost $28.75 per hour and a half hour of helicopter fuel and associated flight maintenance cost $622.50, a document shared with city councilmembers said.
A total of 71 officers could not respond to other calls across the eight nights officers were assigned to the location, DPD said.
“While I appreciate homeowners lighting their homes to bring joy to others during the holidays, compromising public safety resources to this extent doesn’t reflect the spirit of the season,” said Councilwoman Gay Donnell Willis, who said she heard complaints from neighbors living next to the lit-up home.
“I’ll be directing staff to evaluate policy on how home displays can be balanced with consideration of neighbors and taxpayers,” she said.