LHT: Tell us your thoughts on Lake Highlands - what do you feel is the best attributes of our community?

Lawrence: The neighborhood involvement is incredible. The strength in this community is the level of commitment the residents have to be involved and stay involved.

LHT: What is the biggest challenge our community faces from a policing perspective?

Lawrence: There is no question it’s the crime coming out of the multi-family complexes. I think the whole city has its challenges brought on by the multi-family build-out that took place three to four decades ago. When you have a massive concentration of apartments, over time they deteriorate and crime finds it’s way in.

LHT: What is your opinion on how to address the issue?

Lawrence: It really all starts with the owners of these complexes. My big deal is to try and establish responsible ownership. Right now we have a lot of irresponsible owners, but that is changing.

I’m not a sociologist or an expert in this stuff, but I know that holding the owners accountable for their property, and the well being of the residents who live in their properties, is a real good start to fixing a lot of the problems. I think the city is moving in the right direction with the Gold Star Program and other new approaches that seem to be getting the attention of the owners.

Forest/Audelia is a good example of where we can have an impact. Getting responsible owners is important, but isn’t the silver bullet. We also need facilities like the YMCA or Recreation Centers to keep the kids off the street. We’ve had success in other problem areas in the city and there's no reason we can’t have success in the Forest/Audelia area, as well.

LHT: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Lawrence: I’m probably not going to retire for at least 5 years. I’d like to be a police chief somewhere, but I’m completely satisfied here.

LHT: You interviewed in Corpus Christi for the Chief of Police position. What other jobs are of interest to you right now?

Lawrence: I’m very particular about the type of job I’d ever consider leaving Dallas for. Right now, I’m interviewing for the Clearwater Florida Chief position. I won’t find out anything until mid-January.

LHT: If you were stranded on a desert Island and could take only one item outside of clothes, food or water, what would it be?

Probably take some nice lady with me to keep me company. That would be the most logical choice. It certainly wouldn’t be a television.

LHT: What are your hobbies?

Lawrence: I run about 15-20 miles a week. I'm a former marathoner, but my knees aren’t as young as they once were. I bike around White Rock Lake all the time now.

LHT: What would you like to say to the people of Lake Highlands?

Lawrence: I really can’t thank the residents of this community enough. I say thank you all the time, and I'll continue to because the people here are incredible.

My approach with this division is to hopefully give the people of Lake Highlands the idea that we are the small town police force, their neighborhood police. That is what we are trying to create. The support of the community and the level of activity the citizens who support the police is tremendous and doesn’t go unnoticed.

Sometimes, when you catch yourself wanting to throw your hands up and give up, you remember who you're working for. The people of Lake Highlands really make our job worth doing. It makes you feel good about being a police officer. I know I can speak for my staff - they love working in the NE patrol division because of the support of this community.