City of Fort Worth, TX

17/04/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 17/04/2024 10:10

FWPD outlines plans for making entertainment districts safer

FWPD outlines plans for making entertainment districts safer

Published on April 17, 2024

Fort Worth continues to pump more public safety resources into the West 7th district - along with other high-profile entertainment districts - to reduce crime.

On Tuesday, Police Executive Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge provided the City Council with a rundown of crime-fighting efforts aimed at making the popular restaurant and bar area safer.

The West 7th district is a relatively small area, bounded by Seventh Street on the north, Lancaster Avenue on the south, University Drive on the west and railroad tracks on the east.

FWPD's violent crime report for West 7th actually shows that the district records fewer crimes than other entertainment districts:

  • Between March 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, West 7th reported 28 violent crimes, the Stockyards had 30, Downtown had 76 and the Near Southside had 59. Citywide, there were 5,006 reports.
  • In the West 7th bar district, 2023 crime statistics show crimes against persons were down 15.3% from 2022, crimes against property were down 19.3%, and crimes against society increased 47.4%. This increase is a result of proactive FWPD enforcement targeting weapons violations and narcotics violations.

Safe Night LLC

Earlier this year, the City Council agreed to spend $148,200 on a 12-month contract with Safe Night LLC. The organization will assess the safety of the city's four entertainment districts, offer recommendations and help law enforcement implement them. Activities will include:

  • Risk Terrain Modeling to identify environmental conditions that contribute to crime problems.
  • Protective Alliance Relationship-Based Policing, which encourages enforcement agencies to establish trust with business owners and the community in support of A Safe Night Out.
  • Develop a bar and restaurant voluntary accreditation model.
  • Implement training recommendations for bar employees.

Other safety initiatives

PID. City staff is working with business owners to form a West 7th Public Improvement District. A community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, to provide information about a petition in support of the proposed PID. The meeting will be at 5th & Carroll Events, 2713 W. Fifth St.

Ambassador program. Block by Block currently provides ambassador services for downtown Fort Worth. A one-year pilot program in the West 7th district has been funded by the City's Crime Control & Prevention District for $315,000. This program would be transferred to the PID once it is established.

Street bollard project. Facilitating traffic flow out of the West 7th area at closing time, while preventing more vehicles from entering, is a problem every weekend night. Metal bollards installed at certain intersections would help police officers direct traffic and move vehicles out of the district more swiftly. The cost is about $150,000, funded by CCPD.

Photo:The West 7th area is one of four major entertainment districts in Fort Worth that draw large crowds to restaurants and bars nightly.

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