Dallas has named an interim police chief to lead the department until a permanent replacement is found for outgoing Chief Eddie Garcia.

Dallas Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert announced Friday that Dallas Police Executive Assistant Chief Michael Igo will serve as interim chief effective the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 18.

“It is an honor to be named as Interim Dallas Police Chief. I want to thank Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert for this assignment and her confidence in me,” said Igo. “For the last three decades, I have remained committed to the safety of this great City and its residents. I look forward to serving in this new capacity and will continue prioritizing crime reduction and recruiting the best and brightest that this country has to offer.”

That’s when current Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia will leave his position and begin his move to Austin, where he’ll be the assistant city manager overseeing public safety.

Igo has been with the Dallas Police Department for more than three decades. According to the city, he was first promoted to senior corporal in 1997 and went on to become a sergeant, lieutenant, major, deputy chief, and assistant chief before his appointment to executive assistant chief in January 2024.

“I am confident that Chief Igo will provide the Dallas Police Department with the continuity we need during this transition. His experience, trust within the community, and knowledge of the Department gives me the confidence that he is the right person at the right time for this assignment,” said Tolbert. “Chief Igo has been unwavering in his commitment to his service in uniform. He will continue the Dallas Police Department’s focus on safety, our number one priority.”

The city said that in his various roles with the department, Igo “provided leadership and supervision to field supervisors, sergeants, police officers, specialized units, and patrol divisions. He has collaborated with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, served as a departmental liaison to City Hall, analyzed crime trends and conducted weekly violent crime analysis to improve residential safety, and conducted internal and external investigations.”

Igo has a bachelor of science degree in commercial economics from South Dakota University. He completed the inaugural Sergeant Series Leadership School and Lieutenant Series Leadership School from the Caruth Police Institute, as well as the FBI Command College at the University of Texas, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of North Texas at Texas A&M University, and the Senior Management Institute for Police.

People identify Dallas with its impressive skyline, vibrant arts scene and rich cultural tapestry. However, buried within the layers of this dynamic city is a significant, yet often overlooked, chapter of its history: the French influence that has shaped its identity.

From the early settlers of La Réunion to the modern-day cultural initiatives led by the Alliance Française de Dallas, the French legacy is an integral part of the narrative that defines this city.

In 1855, a group of French, Belgian and Swiss immigrants arrived in Texas with dreams of creating a utopian society. Led by Victor Considerant, a disciple of socialist philosopher Charles Fourier, these settlers founded a colony called La Réunion just west of present-day downtown. Their vision was ambitious: to establish a community rooted in equality, intellectual freedom and cooperative living.

Despite their noble aspirations, the commune faced numerous challenges, including harsh environmental conditions and internal conflicts. By 1857, La Réunion had dissolved, but the settlers’ contributions to the area were far from over. Many chose to stay in Dallas, bringing with them a wealth of skills and knowledge that would help shape the city’s future.

The impact of the La Réunion settlers on Dallas was profound, particularly in the economic realm. Their expertise in various trades such as brickmaking, agriculture and winemaking contributed to the area’s burgeoning commercial scene.

One of the first brick factories in Dallas was established by these settlers, and many of the early buildings were constructed using their craftsmanship. Furthermore, the settlers introduced modern agricultural practices, significantly enhancing local farming and viticulture. Their influence can still be seen today in Dallas’ thriving food and wine industries, which reflect the city’s diverse culinary landscape.

Beyond their economic contributions, the French settlers played a crucial role in enriching the cultural fabric of Dallas. Their arrival marked the beginning of a rich tradition of arts, education and social ideals that would shape the city’s character. The settlers emphasized the importance of education and community, laying the groundwork for some of the first schools in the region.

French cultural traditions have persisted in Dallas, seen in everything from culinary influences to the arts. The annual Bastille Day celebrations and French festivals like Francophonie Festival and Fête de la Musique highlight this enduring connection.

For example:

— Frenchman Jean Monuel created the first brewery.

— John Louckx helped create the first system of public schools.

— Julien Reverchon was an early and influential botanist in the city.

— The first piano in Dallas was brought by the French settlers.

— The first Dallas art studio was opened by François Ignace “Adolphe” Gouhenant.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Dallas, Reunion Tower, serves as a reminder of the city’s French roots. While many admire the tower for its stunning views and modern architecture, few understand the historical significance of its name. The tower pays homage to the utopian dream of La Réunion, symbolizing the connection between Dallas’ past and present. This landmark not only stands as a tribute to the early settlers but also encapsulates the ideals of hope, ambition and resilience. It invites residents and visitors alike to reflect on the city’s history and the diverse cultures that have contributed to its growth.

On Saturday, the Alliance Française de Dallas will bring the often-forgotten history of La Réunion back into the spotlight with the La Réunion Symposium, following the recent publication of Considérant’s The Road to Texas, translated by Paola Tettamanzi Buckley and published by Deep Vellum. This book, which chronicles the journey of European settlers to Texas, offers fresh insights into the motivations and experiences of those who joined La Réunion.

As we celebrate Dallas’ dynamic identity, let us honor the contributions of its French settlers and recognize their role in shaping the city we know today. By embracing our diverse history, we not only enrich our understanding of the past but also pave the way for a more inclusive and vibrant future.

Emeline Colson is executive director of Alliance Francaise de Dallas.

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For decades, Candace Wicks has seen the good the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center can do.

Some of her first memories of the 10.5-acre South Dallas campus are volunteering with her church to hand out free meals to the area’s unsheltered community — a service she says is “just one of the many” examples of the center’s critical work.

But she said she has watched the center also make do with limited resources.

“I like to say — and it has been quoted several times — that ‘we make bricks out of straw’ here,” said Wicks, a vice chair appointed to the center’s advisory board, which she has served on for nearly 10 years. “This is one of the most underappreciated locations in the city.”

Wicks thinks that is starting to change: On Thursday, she joined a crowd on the campus to celebrate a $2.5 million earmark to benefit the center — federal funding that will go toward improving the facility and kickstart work before a forthcoming renovation approved by Dallas voters this spring as part of a $1.25 billion bond package.

The campus, originally called the Crossroads Community Center, opened its doors in February 1969 as the city’s first multi-service community facility. The Dallas City Council renamed the facility after Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1975.

Since then, the center has become a hub for services and educational and cultural enrichment in South Dallas. It was the venue for nearly 30 events and hosted nearly 200,000 visitors last year, according to a report from the center’s advisory board.

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, paved the way for the $2.5 million earmark. The earmark to the South Dallas center was the largest allocation the first-term representative directed as part of the fiscal year 2024 Appropriations Bill.

Crockett, whose district includes South Dallas, said her office received requests for more than 70 projects seeking funding in fiscal year 2024. Her staff reviewed the proposals and made recommendations based on the parameters set by the Republican-led House.

The bill passed earlier this year.

“I looked for spaces in which I felt, ‘if we don’t do this, I don’t know that this gap will get filled,’” Crockett said in an interview. “The MLK center is kind of one of those that falls into a bit of a unique category … I was concerned the gap may not get filled.”

Wick said that upcoming improvements to the center include accessibility enhancements.

Nearly four years ago, Wicks fell ill with a life-threatening sickness that resulted in sepsis. She survived, but the harsh treatments took a toll on her body. She now uses an electric wheelchair — something that has changed her perspective using the center.

“Not to say that I wasn’t already aware, but it’s changed how I view it,” she said. She added that she saw the $2.5 million earmark as “a prayer answered.”

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua, who represents District 7, where the center is located, described the earmark as “more than an investment in a building.”

“It’s an investment in the future of South Dallas,” he said.

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