Dallas, October 2, 2025
News Summary
Dallas city leaders have initiated the ‘Summer of Safety’ campaign aimed at providing free and low-cost activities for kids and teens aged 13-17. The initiative is designed to keep young individuals engaged and help reduce rising crime rates during the summer months. Activities include an All-Access Pass for popular local attractions and sports event tickets, while community engagement and library programs enhance the overall offering. This year’s campaign aims to build relationships between youth and police, contributing to a safer community.
Dallas — City leaders have launched the Summer of Safety campaign to provide free and low-cost activities for kids and teens aged 13-17 as they enter the summer months, aiming to keep young people engaged and help reduce a seasonal rise in crime.
Key details up front
The initiative is designed to keep kids engaged and reduce crime rates, which statistically increase during summer. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson emphasized that the campaign has successfully contributed to a decline in crime in the city during summer for the past three years. Activities available through the program include access to free tickets for various sporting events, museums, and cultural experiences in the city.
Participants can obtain an “All-Access Pass” starting June 30, which allows free admission to locations like The Dallas Arboretum, Bahama Beach, the Perot Museum, City of Dallas Golf Course, Southern Skates Roller Rink, and other attractions. The Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program offers free tickets for kids aged 12-17 to attend professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events.
Programs and partners
The Dallas Public Library is initiating activities for children of all ages from May 31 to August 9, which include a free book giveaway and rewards like bikes and gaming consoles for reading and education participation. Children will also have access to aquatic centers, community pools, and workshops at recreation centers during the summer.
Dallas city officials discussed the campaign details at Singing Hills Recreation Center, attended by the new police chief Daniel Comeaux, City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, and representatives from Dallas Park and Recreation, and Dallas ISD. Chief Comeaux outlined plans for police to engage more with the community and develop programs for building relationships with youth. Dallas Public Library’s interim director Heather Lowe stated the importance of providing kids with safe, inclusive environments that are both educational and entertaining.
Verizon initiative and sweepstakes
Verizon is hosting a sweepstakes for youth aged 13-17 to participate in a basketball experience with star Paige Bueckers. The sweepstakes runs from August 8 to August 17, with winners chosen on August 18. The event on August 25 includes light drills, challenges, and advice on success shared by Bueckers, along with a live DJ and photo booth.
Bueckers expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Verizon to engage with the DFW community. Verizon emphasizes connecting young athletes with role models and community engagement efforts in North Texas. Parents or guardians must be 18 or older and residents of Texas to enter the sweepstakes for their teens. The event reiterates Bueckers’ commitment to inspire young athletes since joining the Dallas Wings in the WNBA.
Operational notes and expected impact
The campaign bundles municipal recreation offerings, library programs, and private partnerships to increase supervised daytime and evening options for teens. City leaders presented the plan as a continuation of efforts that, they say, have helped lower summer crime trends in recent years. The program seeks to reduce unsupervised time, expand cultural and athletic access, and create relationship-building opportunities between youth and public safety personnel.
How residents can participate
- Obtain an “All-Access Pass” starting June 30 to access listed attractions.
- Use the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program for free sporting-event tickets for ages 12-17.
- Attend Dallas Public Library activities running from May 31 to August 9, including the free book giveaway and educational reward opportunities.
- Look for local schedules for aquatic center and community pool hours and recreation center workshops.
- Enter the Verizon sweepstakes for a chance to join the August 25 basketball experience (eligible teens aged 13-17; parents or guardians must be 18 or older and residents of Texas).
Background
Municipal and community leaders cite a common seasonal pattern in which some categories of crime rise during summer months and point to engagement and supervised activities as part of a prevention strategy. The city has combined recreation, library programming, event ticketing, and private-sector partnerships to create a broader array of options for teens. City officials framed the effort as an extension of prior summer strategies and part of ongoing community and public safety work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Summer of Safety’ campaign?
Dallas city leaders introduced the ‘Summer of Safety’ campaign aimed at providing free and low-cost activities for kids and teens aged 13-17, as they enter the summer months.
What is the goal of the campaign?
The initiative is designed to keep kids engaged and reduce crime rates, which statistically increase during summer.
Has the campaign had an effect on crime?
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson emphasized that the campaign has successfully contributed to a decline in crime in the city during summer for the past three years.
What is included in the All-Access Pass?
Participants can obtain an “All-Access Pass” starting June 30, which allows free admission to locations like The Dallas Arboretum, Bahama Beach, the Perot Museum, City of Dallas Golf Course, Southern Skates Roller Rink, and other attractions.
What is the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program?
The ‘Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program’ offers free tickets for kids aged 12-17 to attend professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events.
What is the Dallas Public Library offering?
The Dallas Public Library is initiating activities for children of all ages from May 31 to August 9, which include a free book giveaway and rewards like bikes and gaming consoles for reading and education participation.
Where were campaign details discussed and who attended?
The Dallas city officials discussed the campaign details at Singing Hills Recreation Center, attended by the new police chief Daniel Comeaux, City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, and representatives from Dallas Park and Recreation, and Dallas ISD.
What are police plans tied to the campaign?
Chief Comeaux outlined plans for police to engage more with the community and develop programs for building relationships with youth.
What does Verizon’s initiative include?
Verizon is hosting a sweepstakes for youth aged 13-17 to participate in a basketball experience with star Paige Bueckers.
When does the Verizon sweepstakes run and when is the event?
The sweepstakes runs from August 8 to August 17, with winners chosen on August 18. The event on August 25 includes light drills, challenges, and advice on success shared by Bueckers, along with a live DJ and photo booth.
Who is eligible to enter the Verizon sweepstakes?
Parents or guardians must be 18 or older and residents of Texas to enter the sweepstakes for their teens.
What is the stated purpose of Verizon’s involvement?
Verizon emphasizes connecting young athletes with role models and community engagement efforts in North Texas.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Summer of Safety campaign | Dallas city leaders introduced the ‘Summer of Safety’ campaign aimed at providing free and low-cost activities for kids and teens aged 13-17, as they enter the summer months. |
| All-Access Pass | Participants can obtain an “All-Access Pass” starting June 30, which allows free admission to locations like The Dallas Arboretum, Bahama Beach, the Perot Museum, City of Dallas Golf Course, Southern Skates Roller Rink, and other attractions. |
| Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program | The ‘Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program’ offers free tickets for kids aged 12-17 to attend professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events. |
| Dallas Public Library summer program | The Dallas Public Library is initiating activities for children of all ages from May 31 to August 9, which include a free book giveaway and rewards like bikes and gaming consoles for reading and education participation. |
| Verizon sweepstakes and event | Verizon is hosting a sweepstakes for youth aged 13-17 to participate in a basketball experience with star Paige Bueckers. The sweepstakes runs from August 8 to August 17, with winners chosen on August 18. The event on August 25 includes light drills, challenges, and advice on success shared by Bueckers, along with a live DJ and photo booth. |
| Police engagement | Chief Comeaux outlined plans for police to engage more with the community and develop programs for building relationships with youth. |
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Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Dallas Summer of Safety Initiative
- Wikipedia: Summer
- Verizon: Paige Bueckers Team Exclusive Youth Basketball Experience
- Google Search: Paige Bueckers
- Dallas Hoops Journal: Paige Bueckers Verizon Youth Basketball Experience
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- ECNL: 2025-26 National Event Schedule
- Google News: ECNL
- Secret Dallas: Things to do in Dallas June
- Google Search: Things to Do in Dallas
- StyleBlueprint: Southern Events September
- Google Search: Southern Events
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
