DART approves $32M for security, mental health support expansions

April 30, 2026 - 13:15

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit board has signed off on a $32 million investment aimed at strengthening security measures and expanding mental health support across the transit system. Officials say the funding will allow the agency to hire additional police officers, deploy more surveillance technology, and grow its partnership with mental health professionals.

A significant portion of the money will go toward increasing the presence of uniformed and plainclothes officers on trains and at stations. DART also plans to install more cameras and improve lighting in high-traffic areas. The goal is to make riders feel safer while deterring crime.

On the mental health side, DART will expand its existing crisis intervention team. That team pairs transit police with licensed clinicians who respond to calls involving people in distress. The agency says the approach has already helped de-escalate situations that might otherwise lead to arrests or hospitalizations.

The funding comes as transit agencies nationwide grapple with rising concerns about safety and homelessness. DART's board chair said the investment reflects a commitment to balancing enforcement with compassion. The new programs are expected to roll out over the next year.