Keep Dallas Safe – The Other Side Dallas

August 3, 2021August 3, 2021

Steven Monacelli Out At Dallas Observer

Steven Monacelli out at the Dallas Observer per a tweet he sent out seems to indicate he was fired after breaking news about Dallas Justice Now.

Less than a month ago, Monacelli was speaking about the growing influence of QAnon in Texas politics.

Steven Monacelli and Dallas Justice Now

Last week Monacelli did an article for the Observer noting a flyer from a group reportedly from Dallas Justice Now. The article stated that the flyer urged parents in Dallas’ wealthy — and largely white — Highland Park and University Park suburbs to not send their kids to Ivy League schools. The parents needed to make space for students of color, the statement said.

The article insinuated it was a false flag operation put up by Keep Dallas Safe (KDS).

Yesterday a correction went up on the Observer website noting KDS was not connected to the Dallas Justice Now campaign.

As information becomes available we will update this story about Monacelli and the Dallas Justice Now story.

May 31, 2021June 21, 2022

Wacky Wernick Campaign All In For Trump Style Politics

The wacky Barry Wernick campaign continues emulating Donald Trump and his dirty tricks in a recently released video where his campaign team admits doctoring a Facebook photo to make runoff opponent Jaynie Schultz more liberal.

The video below makes clear the campaign knew it was doctoring a Facebook photo because they could not run on public safety effectively against Jaynie Schultz.

Schultz who has campaigned for increased accountability of Dallas Police also has said she supports increased interaction between Dallas Police, Richardson Police, and other first responders. She also tackles the growing issue of panhandling on the major thoroughfares through D11. Her website says she wants to “build trust and transparent communication to fight crime.”

Wernick Endorsements

Wernick was rumored to be an Eric Johnson/Keep Dallas Safe supported candidate, but one source says KDS is exasperated by the neophytes running the campaign and its general direction.

One person outside Keep Dallas Safe stated “the GQP has taken over Barry’s campaign with Brad Namdar preparing his Congressional run against Colin Allred and GOP State Chairman Allen West offering a low key endorsement to have a single Dallas City Council member viewed as “conservative.”

The source close to campaign discussions said, “Namdar thinks he is kingmaker despite him increasing the likelihood of Barry losing.”

He continued,” Their strategy is bewildering. In 2020, Biden won the district by almost twenty points, but here is Barry rushing to line up with the alt right instead of focusing on getting things done for the district.”

May 2, 2021May 2, 2021

Keep Dallas Safe Unable To Protect Eric Johnson

Keep Dallas Safe (KDS) failed in spectacular fashion at protecting the political strength of Eric Johnson as polls closed on the Dallas City Council election.

While not directly linked, observers noted that KDS was pushing candidates supportive of Eric Johnson’s agenda including pushing out current city council incumbents Jaime Resensez (D5), Adam Bazaldua (D7), and Paula Blackmon (D9).

They sent multiple mailers which some described as “klanlike” and direct from “MAGA World” – a reference to previous support for Donald Trump.

In District 5, Mayor Johnson supported Yolanda Williams who came in third missing the run off, and in District 7 he supported Donald Parish Jr., who also had the endorsements of Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson and State Senator Royce West.

(West has ties to a prominent Trump financial backer and was pushed by potential opponent John Cornyn in his runoff with MJ Hegar.)

Keep Dallas Safe – Another North Dallas Astroturf Operation?

Earlier this year, Dallas Observer noted Daniel Taylor was linked to a similar astroturf operation in New Orleans where actors were paid to attend public meetings.

In the Dallas City Council elections, Keep Dallas Safe also opposed Paula Blackmon who easily cruised to re-election against two opponents avoiding a run off in Elections 2021. They also chose to attack Jaynie Schultz in D11.

It is unclear how active KDS will be involved with run offs in District 7 and District 11. The other major winner was Chad West who also won his re-election easily.

One campaign staff member stated they were already gearing up for his mayoral run in two years. West has been increasingly outspoken including taking exception with staff over COVID19 vaccine rollouts. Given Johnson’s recent record, there are rumors he may not run for re-election.