Dallas board affirms police designation of Creekside apartments as a habitual criminal property

The Permanent License Appeal Board voted 8 to 2 on Oct. 1 to affirm the Dallas Police Department's final designation of 378 North Jim Miller Road (Creekside Villa Park) as a habitual criminal property under Dallas City Code section 27-48.

Detective Antonio Gomez of the nuisance abatement unit told the board "the city's evidence will show that over a three-year period from 05/04/2023 to 05/04/2026, 38 available crimes occurred at the property," and that 17 of those occurred within the 365-day review period the board must evaluate. Gomez described multiple incidents involving firearms, repeated police "markouts" and a nighttime inspection showing darkened areas, unsecured pedestrian gates and vacant units.

The property owner and manager disputed aspects of the police presentation. Attorney Chris Bowers, representing the appellant, said the owner would present "abundant evidence" of prevention measures and argued the city had not provided full incident narratives to the owner at the accord meeting. The property manager, Abid Asrani, testified that the complex has a fence, a code-operated gate system, "about 33 cameras" and a curfew that began in 2021.

Board members split over whether the owner had taken adequate measures before the city's notice letter dated 05/14/2026. Several members said the evidence of recurring and escalating available crimes, plus photos showing open gates and other vulnerabilities, supported affirming the designation. Others said the owner had implemented many measures and pointed to voluminous owner evidence the defense provided.

After debate, Vice Chair Cucchia moved to affirm the police determination; the motion was seconded and passed 8-2. The board's decision affirms the chief of police's final determination; the board noted that measures implemented after the notice letter (05/14/2026) were not counted toward the presumptions the board must apply.

The board adjourned at 11:50 AM.