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University Park highlights police, fire upgrades and plans for new training facility
Summary
Officials described upgrades to 9‑1‑1/3‑1‑1 dispatch and an expanding direct‑alarm monitoring program; the city plans to adapt property at 5620 Fondren into a public facility with a six‑lane firing range for training.
City officials outlined public safety investments, new equipment and partnerships intended to maintain response standards and training capacity.
Mayor Tommy Stewart said the police department added automated dispatch, emergency medical dispatch, and refreshed 9‑1‑1 and 3‑1‑1 hardware and software. The city also added staffing to the direct‑alarm monitoring program, which allows city dispatchers to monitor alarm systems without intermediaries; officials said the program's subscriber base continues to grow.
Stewart said the city purchased the property at 5620 Fondren in 2023 and plans to upgrade it to a new public facility that will include a six‑lane firing range for firearms training. The city plans to invite SMU, Highland Park ISD and the town of Highland Park to use the facility and is pursuing approval through the City of Dallas process. Officials said roofing and mechanical repairs remain before full work begins and that official construction work is expected to begin in spring 2025.
The mayor also described the fire department's response metrics and equipment upgrades, including a custom Spartan fire engine and a continuing focus on keeping response times between four and five minutes. City staff highlighted a November incident where Highland Park paramedics responded within two minutes to an unconscious person at an SMU game; responders resuscitated the patient and the team received a life‑saving award for the effort.
Why it matters: investments in dispatch, monitoring and training facilities affect response times, interagency training and public safety preparedness.
What comes next: staff will proceed with preconstruction repairs at the Fondren property and pursue approvals; direct‑alarm monitoring expansion and state accreditation efforts for police were described as ongoing priorities.
