During the first few months at her new job, Kelly Gregan went on a prostitution sting, cleaned up a homeless encampment, and was fitted for a bulletproof vest.
Gregan is the new Lake Highlands Community Prosecutor, employed by the Dallas attorney’s office. She’s the city’s ninth community prosecutor and the first to be assigned to territory north of Northwest Highway. Gregan’s mission is to work with police, neighborhood residents and various city departments to decrease crime in the area between Walnut Hill and Walnut Street and Abrams and Audelia roads.
The area includes about 70 apartment complexes and approximately 60,000 residents.
“One of the things community prosecutors do is work on problem properties,” Gregan says. “There’s definitely a lot to do. Everyone is on the same page.”
Gregan will work with a code officer to help clean up high crime areas, and when code enforcement won’t work, she will come up with more creative approaches. Other community prosecutors have created youth groups and task forces to address specific issues.
“I like the idea of a pro-active approach to the law,” Gregan says. “Often, you don’t get that.”
To notify Kelly Gregan of problem properties, e-mail her at kelly.gregan@dallascityhall.com, or attend one of her Citizen ACTION Team meetings at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center, 9940 White Rock Trail.
