🌱 Dallas County Jail Nearing Capacity + First EV Charging Stations

Hi, Dallas! Like many of you, the Patch team will be taking some time off for Labor Day. I’ll be back in your inbox after the long weekend, but until then, here’s what’s happening in town.

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Hot with sunshine. High: 102 Low: 78.
• Sunday: Hot with plenty of sunshine. High: 100 Low: 79.
• Monday: Mostly sunny and hot. High: 103 Low: 81.
• Tuesday: . High: Low: .

Here are the top three stories in Dallas today:

1. Dallas County Jail is nearing full capacity, prompting officials to seek additional space and explore ways to reduce inmate numbers safely. The situation, attributed to various factors including renovation-related bed restrictions, has already cost taxpayers approximately $16 million in extra expenses. Officials are considering options such as requesting a variance in regulations to add temporary beds and exploring alternatives to release non-violent inmates or place them on electronic monitoring to alleviate the overcrowding issue. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
2. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has initiated its sustainability efforts by adding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at two DART Rail stations, Glenn Heights Park & Ride and Illinois Station, in collaboration with the North Central Texas Council of Governments. These are DART's first EV charging stations, offering Blink Series 8 Dual Port Level 2 Chargers that can charge EVs within four to eight hours. The stations aim to accommodate the growing adoption of electric vehicles while serving as a pilot program for potential future expansions throughout DART's service area. (CultureMap Dallas)
3. Dallas police have issued a warning about a rise in "jugging," a crime trend where criminals target individuals leaving banks with money and forcibly take their cash and belongings. In response, authorities advise people to be vigilant in bank parking lots, conceal bank bags and cash envelopes, and watch for potential followers after leaving financial institutions to avoid becoming victims of these offenses. The police have been proactive in combating this issue, with recent arrests and the recovery of stolen items, as jugging incidents have increased this summer in Dallas. (FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth)

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This weekend in Dallas:

Saturday, September 2

• Sixth Annual Riverfront Jazz Festival At The Black Academy Of Arts & Letters Complex (12:00 PM)

Sunday, September 3

• Stand-Up Writing Group At Dallas Comedy Club (3:15 PM)

Monday, September 4

• Sunset Sessions At Green Light Social - Ruby Room (4:00 PM)

Tuesday, September 5

• Senses Fail At Echo Lounge & Music Hall (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Dallas police have issued an Amber Alert for 17-year-old Natalie Navarro, who was last seen at an apartment complex in Far East Dallas wearing a black tank top and light blue ripped jeans. Authorities believe she may be with 21-year-old Yordy Martinez, who is also known as Jordy and has a missing front tooth. (FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth)
• The Hay Forum Dallas, a literary event focused on discussions with authors about contemporary issues, plans to expand into a three-day festival across multiple Oak Cliff venues next year, reflecting the city's growing status as a literary hub. Founded in 2018, this year's edition features 11 writers from various countries, including the United States and Latin America, and is part of the larger Hay Festival network, which began in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, 35 years ago and has expanded globally. (Subscription: The Dallas Morning News)
• Within the first two weeks of school, Dallas police have issued over 450 tickets in school zones. The department is reminding drivers to slow down to keep school zones safe. (Dallas Police Department via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox next week with 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.