A city council member says she wants the city to explore policy changes to balance the spirit of the season with consideration for neighbors and taxpayers
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Police Department spent more than $25,000 as hundreds of nightly spectators stormed a Preston Hollow home with a viral Christmas light display, a city councilwoman said Tuesday.
The nearly 9,000-square-foot home and yard in the 6200 block of Deloache Avenue sparkle with lights from top to bottom, including the yard, and the yard is lined with everything from decorative reindeer to nutcrackers to a Santa Claus with the face of the chosen one President Trump.
The house attracted so many people that off-duty Dallas police officers were hired by a third party to manage traffic flow on the street.
But on-duty DPD officers also had to work eight nights on site this holiday season, spending $25,375 in personnel, vehicle and helicopter costs, the department told City Council members.
The department calculated that 250 hours of on-site use of the vehicles cost $28.75 per hour and hour-and-a-half of helicopter fuel, and associated flight maintenance cost $622.50, according to a document provided to City Council members became.
A total of 71 officers were unable to respond to other calls during the eight nights officers were assigned to the location, DPD said.
“While I appreciate homeowners setting fire to their homes to bring joy to others during the holidays, compromising public safety to this extent does not reflect the spirit of the season,” said Councilwoman Gay Donnell Willis, who said she had complaints heard from neighbors who lived next door to the illuminated home.
“I will direct staff to evaluate policies on how to balance home presentations with neighbors and taxpayers in mind,” she said.