In a bid to combat crime and boost public safety, Fort Worth is beefing up its presence in the West 7th entertainment district, and other hotspot areas favored for nightlife. According to the City of Fort Worth, new measures are rolling out, following a detailed presentation by Police Executive Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge to the City Council.
The West 7th district, a bustling hub for bars and restaurants, has been the focus of these efforts, and the stats say something is going right. Despite its popularity, the district reported just 28 violent crimes between March 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, coming in under other areas like Downtown's 76, and the Near Southside's 59. Citywide, the figure was a staggering 5,006 reports. Specifically, in West 7th, crimes against persons plummeted 15.3% compared to 2022, property crimes tumbled down 19.3%, but, crimes against society shot up 47.4% — a direct consequence of a more proactive approach by the FWPD targeting weapons and narcotics violations.
Key to the city's strategy is its $148,200 investment in Safe Night LLC. This organization's mandate includes a comprehensive assessment of Fort Worth's entertainment districts. Their remit: to pinpoint environmental factors contributing to crime and bolster the relationship between law enforcement, businesses, and the community for a safer night out. Among their list of tasks, they've been charged with developing a bar and restaurant accreditation scheme that's voluntary and implementing staff training programs in these venues.
Moving beyond consulting services, Fort Worth is in the throes of establishing a West 7th Public Improvement District (PID), with city staff and local business owners joining forces. A community meeting, helmed at 5th & Carroll Events on April 17, spelled out plans and rallied support for the proposed PID. Concurrently, the City's Crime Control & Prevention District is pinning its hopes on a $315,000 pilot ambassador program, initially funded for downtown, to bleed over into West 7th. Meanwhile, clearing traffic post-revelry has spurred the CCPD to fork out another $150,000 for street bollards that'll corral the flow of vehicles on weekend nights.
Fort Worth's concerted push to fine-tune public safety in its entertainment districts is more than just damage control. It's an evolving dialogue between residents, revelers, and those sworn to protect, aimed at harnessing the very essence of what makes a city pulse with life, yet remain within the beating heart of the law.
