Nothing illustrates the ill effects of Deep Ellum’s bad reputation better than Club Clearview. Opened in 1985, it is the oldest club in the neighborhood—and also the latest rumored Deep Ellum casualty. Though owner Doug Simmons still professed hope in November that he might be able to save it, a vendor who works with the club (who’d rather remain anonymous) says his services have been terminated as of December 31. “We’re hoping we can continue, but we’re exploring all of our options,” Simmons says. “A lot of elements have contributed to what’s going on in Deep Ellum.” Chief among them, the perception that Deep Ellum remains a violent place. “All the neighborhood issues have gotten much better than they were a year ago, but I’m not sure everyone knows that yet,” Simmons says. The Dallas Police Department has stepped up its presence in Deep Ellum’s isolated troublesome spots. But nothing says as much as the hard data. Here, then, is a look at total crimes committed in the area, from 2001 to November of 2006, when D Magazine went to print.
Year Crimes
2001 906
2002 982
2003 1127
2004 1134
2005 1116
2006 662
