DALLAS — Deep Ellum is a hot-spot entertainment district in Dallas, Texas, that has gained quite the reputation with some Texans for being a place that can be unsafe once the sun goes down.

It's a conversation that became more evident after famous singer T-Pain posted a TikTok on April 16, airing out his frustration with only 26% of his tickets being sold for his Dallas show in May.

After the post made its rounds on social media, many Dallas locals sounded off on Twitter, sharing their thoughts on why ticket sales for T-Pain’s concert were low. 

One Twitter account known as @Brianna_nick replied, “Deep Ellum ain’t it after dark.” Another, by the name of @JazminNicoleLuve, went on to say, “It’s in Deep Ellum after the sun goes down? No wonder no one is going. AINT nobody risking they life.” 

T-Pain’s Twitter post even warranted a response from Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who said, “Dallas is the only Top 10 city in the U.S. where violent crime fell last year and overall violent crime is down even more so this year. So, you and your concertgoers should feel safe here.” 

Dagoberto Silva has lived in Deep Ellum for eight years. He says he still feels safe in the community. (Spectrum News 1/Michael Lozano)

Dagoberto Silva, who has been living in Deep Ellum for around eight years, knows that larger cities and their entertainment districts deal with crime.

“I don’t know what society or fake thing you live in, but there’s no big city that’s going to be safe like that,” Silva said. 

The longtime Dallas resident lives on one of the busier streets in Deep Ellum. He’s heard the gunshots and seen the altercations take place in his community. 

Dagoberto Silva says he's heard the gunshots and seen some of the altercations that have taken place in Deep Ellum. (Spectrum News 1/Michael Lozano)

While overall violent crime is in fact down in the city of Dallas, according to city officials, it’s notable shootings like the mass shooting in September 2021 and the recent April 10 shooting that left two injured that have stuck in people’s minds. 

A Dallas Police Department crime map shows there only being one more aggravated assault this year, 17, than last year's 16, around the same time. Those numbers also include crimes involving a weapon. 

Senior Cpl. Melinda Gutierrez, a public information officer for Dallas PD, says increased patrol and communication with community members in these districts is key to reducing crime.

“They within their community and their community partners to help with businesses, to help with providing extra patrol and whatever’s necessary to make those places safer,” Gutierrez said. 

Dallas PD has increased patrols, started blocking off heavy foot traffic areas earlier than usual and have this Dallas Police sky tower placed at Main and Malcolm X in response to crime concerns. (Spectrum News 1/Michael Lozano)

On top of increased patrols and a sky tower being in place, DPD has also started their yearly summer closure of some Deep Ellum roads much earlier than usual to address safety concerns. 

Silva says he still feels safe living and enjoying the nightlife in Deep Ellum.