MAYOR ' S MESSAGE
Here in the American Dream City , dreams are alive and in motion . We recently celebrated the opening of a brand new resort and convention center in our Entertainment District that will greatly increase our room capacity , keep visitors and tax revenue in Arlington , and attract new conferences and visitors to our city .
Later this year , we ’ ll be hosting the MLB All-Star Game at the home of the World Series Champion Texas Rangers . In 2026 , Arlington will host more games during the FIFA World Cup than any other city in North America .
Our Downtown area continues to expand with new businesses and restaurants . Our population continues to grow . We continue to make investments in our community . Those things don ’ t happen in a vacuum . It takes a lot of pieces and people working together . One of the key pieces is public safety . We can ’ t accomplish much if residents , visitors , business owners , and other stakeholders don ’ t feel safe .
I believe we have one of the best police departments in the country . As Mayor , I see the outstanding job they do engaging with our community and tackling the issues our city faces . It ’ s why we as a City Council continue to support and invest in our police department – and I think our community is getting a good return on that investment .
Overall crime was down six percent in 2023 , including a 17 percent drop in violent crime . I ’ m incredibly proud of those numbers and the work APD has done to achieve them . It ’ s my hope that when you read this 2023 Annual Report , you will be too .
Our city still faces challenges . But when we all come together as a community , there ’ s nothing we can ’ t accomplish .
4 | 2023 Annual Report