DART TAKES BOLD ACTION TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY WITH EXPANDED SECURITY PRESENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE

Dallas, TX April 28,2026 Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is reinforcing its commitment to rider and employee safety through a dual investment in enhanced security services and expanded mental health response efforts across the transit system.

The DART Board of Directors has approved a contract modification to continue and expand transit security officer services, alongside an extension of its partnership with Parkland Health to support the nationally recognized DART Cares program, an initiative focused on connecting vulnerable individuals to critical mental health services.

Together, these efforts represent a comprehensive, layered approach to public safety that prioritizes prevention, visibility, and compassionate intervention.

Strengthening Security Across the System

The approved contract modification will increase funding for transit security officer services to a total not-to-exceed amount of $32.1 million, ensuring a continued and visible security presence across DART's buses, trains, stations, and facilities.

These highly trained security officers work alongside DART Police to enhance system-wide safety, protect infrastructure, and support customers through proactive engagement and customer service.

"DART is not blind to the fact that people in our community have questioned whether safety is a priority and we hear you," said Chairman Randall Bryant. "These actions reflect the real, tangible steps we are taking to address those concerns head-on. By increasing our security presence and investing in smarter, more responsive safety strategies, we are demonstrating our commitment to making the DART system safer for everyone who relies on it every day."

Security personnel will operate continuously across the system, ensuring uninterrupted protection regardless of weather, emergencies, or operational challenges, while also enhancing the overall customer experience.

Expanding Mental Health Support Through DART Cares

In tandem with increased security, DART is expanding its DART Cares Multi-Disciplinary Response Team (MDRT) through a five-month extension of its agreement with Parkland Health. The program embeds mental health clinicians alongside DART Police to respond to individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health crises on the system.

This initiative is designed to reduce the use of transit as a shelter of last resort while connecting individuals to appropriate care and community-based services.

"Public safety is not just about enforcement, it's about understanding and addressing the root causes of what we see in our system every day," said Chief Charles Cato, DART Police Chief. "By pairing officers with mental health professionals, we are creating safer outcomes for everyone, our riders, our employees, and the individuals who need help the most."

The DART Cares program has been implemented in coordination with regional partners and continues to evolve as a model for collaborative, community-based transit safety solutions.

A Holistic Approach to Safety

These investments build upon DART's broader safety strategy, which includes systemwide security enhancements such as thousands of cameras, centralized monitoring, and coordinated regional partnerships, efforts that have already contributed to a reduction in violent crime across the system.

By combining increased security presence with compassionate, data-driven interventions, DART is redefining what safety looks like in public transportation, ensuring a system that is not only secure, but also welcoming and responsive to the needs of all riders.