🌱 Council Discusses Trail Safety + Deputy Sued For Livestreaming Stop

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Dallas Patch newsletter. Follow along for the most important things going on these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

A shower and t-storm; warmer. High: 75 Low: 50.

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Dallas? Partner with the Dallas Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top there stories today in Dallas:

1. Dallas City Council members have begun to address the issue of safety near the city's growing network of hike and bike trails. Presented as an example, one of the trails in Dallas last year was said to have been in the proximity of eight murders, 61 robberies, and 135 aggravated assaults. A proposed trail safety plan calls for police surveillance cameras along trails and additional solar lighting. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
2. A Dallas County sheriff's deputy is being sued by a Tarrant County man who claims the deputy livestreamed their March 2021 traffic stop on TikTok and exposed private information by showing his driver's license to watchers. The man said he only found out that his information was revealed after one of the livestream viewers contacted him. The lawsuit suggests Deputy Francisco Castillo was streaming under the username "CycoCisco" and only pulled the man over "in an attempt to gain more 'likes' and followers." The man was ultimately given a verbal warning for speeding but claims to have been using cruise control at the time of the stop. (WFAA.com)
3. An international cookie shop known for its use of large chunks of chocolate rather chocolate chips will open at Dallas' Snider Plaza this weekend. Originating in England in 1984, Ben's Cookies currently has 60 locations across the world, with the Dallas one set to be the second in the United States. Staple flavors include milk chocolate chunk, dark chocolate chunk, white chocolate chunk, and double chocolate chunk with chocolate chunks in a chocolate cookie base. Non-chunk-based cookies are also available. (CultureMap Dallas)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Dallas Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Dallas Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Dallas:

• Garden Bros Nuclear Circus At Fair Park (4:30 PM, 7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Dallas Police Department is seeking information related to the 1982 cold case of Scott Perigo who was shot and killed at a motel. Perigo was with a family member when he was killed in a possible attempted robbery. (Dallas Police Department via Facebook)
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit will add additional service this Saturday to ensure everyone has a safe ride for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. If you're heading to the St. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville 5K or the 2023 Dallas Mavs St. Patrick's Parade & Festival, there may be a DART service that could save you the hassles of driving and parking. (DART website)
• The Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center is reminding pet owners about the dangers of essential oil diffusers. Cinnamon, mint, lavender, tea tree, and citrus oils are among the ones poisonous to cats and dogs. Check the full post for information about safely using diffusers. (Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Plano — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (March 14)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.