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Tuesday, April 4th, 1989The Dallas Drug War Press Review
‘Frontline’ examines ‘The Dallas Drug War’
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, April 4, 1989
by Daniel Ruth
In recent weeks, the mayhem and violence on the streets of Washington, DC have led to the city’s dubious distinction of being called the nation’s “murder capitol.”
Although Washington has been rocked by this bloody label, the city is hardly alone in trying to combat the epidemic of drug-related violence. That’s the focus of “The Dallas Drug War” a disquieting “Frontline” documentary, airing from 9 to 10 tonight on WTTW-Channel 11.
Last year, the Dallas police made more than 10,000 drug arrests. They barely scratched the surface of the problem.
Tonight’s “Frontline” on PBS examines the effect of virtually uncontrolled drug trafficking in what was once the proud neighborhood of South Dallas, a predominately black area of the city, where residents have struggled to combat the pushers, the users, and the nightly gunfire.
Dorothy and Theodore Davis, two schoolteachers, bought their house in South Dallas 15 years ago. They have reared two daughters who are now in college. It’s a lovely, warm home. But as “The Dallas Drug War” illustrates, once night falls, the neighborhood turns into a genuine war zone.
In the Davis living room, “Frontline” captures the nightly sound of gunfire. And using a night lens, the PBS crew photographs drug dealers openly conducting their business on the street outside the Davis home.
In the South Dallas area alone, police officials have staged more than 1,000 narcotics raids. But it is frustrating work. The dealers, most of them distributing crack, are known to operate out of more than 400 drug houses throughout the community. At least 70 drug-related murders have occurred in the past two years.
“Frontline” follows Mrs. Davis as she continues a frustrating battle to force the city to concentrate more resources on the drug crisis in South Dallas. It is a war that has been stymied on many fronts.
Like all major, urban police departments, the Dallas force has limited resources to fight an expanding problem. And like all major cities, Dallas finds itself embroiled in racial strife.
Over the years, the Dallas Police Department often has been the target of charges concerning excessive brutality toward blacks. During the past 15 years, more than 100 citizens have been shot and killed by Dallas police officers - a national record.
In 1988, meanwhile, five Dallas police officers were killed in the line of duty.
In trying to go after drug dealers in South Dallas, police officers frequently stop and question anyone on the streets who looks suspicious. The situation is tailor-made for conflict, especially since 80 percent of the cops patrolling South Dallas are white.
Consequently, some residents of South Dallas have attempted to deal directly with the drug problem in their neighborhood, led by the Muslim community in general and Fahim Minkah in particular.
Minkah has formed a community group called AA-Man (Afro-American Men Against Narcotics). The group frequently pickets outside known crack houses and often directly attempts to break up drug deals taking place on the street.
It’s a large and dangerous job. There are an estimated 4,000 crack addicts in South Dallas, “Frontline” reports. And there’s only one rehabilitation center.
“The Dallas Drug War” is a revealing, haunting look at a neighborhood fighting to save itself.
And tonight’s program once more underscores the fact that “Frontline” remains one of the finest sources of serious documentaries to be found anywhere in television.
