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January 2025
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Northwest Police Division launched a package theft holiday detail in late December, focusing on two beats experiencing increased thefts of delivered packages. During extra five-hour shifts Dec. 16-20, officers in marked and undercover vehicles patrolled neighborhoods and business centers in D14 and D15 beats, areas generally north of Loop 820, west of Saginaw-Main, south of Bonds Ranch Road and east of Eagle Mountain Lake. Citizens on Patrol volunteers assisted.
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Police observed package delivery trucks at a distance from unmarked police cars, then waited for possible porch pirates. While no arrests were made, the effort significantly reduced package thefts and other criminal activity within the targeted beats. Officers made a total of 153 calls, which included traffic stops and investigating suspicious vehicles and pedestrians. Officers also gathered intelligence on package theft trends and identified potential suspects.
The detail also included community education, as officers handed out flyers with theft prevention tips. Police continue to need residents' help year-round collecting packages as soon as they're delivered or using secure pickup sites, such as lockers or a work address.
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Game Rooms Banned Jan. 21
After 10 years of legal battles, the City of Fort Worth has amended zoning and licensing rules to ban amusement redemption machines, also known as eight-liners or gaming machines. The game room ban goes into effect Jan. 21, 2025. Businesses will have 45 days to remove gaming machines and cease operating. Violators are subject to a fine up to $2,000 day and injunction and fine or criminal prosecution. The long fight began with residents’ concerns over game rooms attracting criminal activity. The case went all the way to the Texas Supreme Court. To report possible game rooms, call the police non-emergency number: 817-392-4222.
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Reminder: City Parks to Close Earlier
Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, all city parks will be open to the public 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Fort Worth Police Department supports the new systemwide closing time of 10 p.m. After complaints from residents and neighborhood groups about some parks closing at 11:30 p.m., the Park & Recreation Department adopted a unified closing time of 10 p.m. The change will not affect permitted rentals and special events.
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Deputy Chief Criado Retires
“RESPECT EVERYONE,” the all-caps sign-off at the bottom of every email from Deputy Chief Pedro “Kiki” Criado, says it all. Criado, who earned his own respect during 31 years with the Fort Worth Police Department, is retiring. He spent most of his career serving residents of Northwest Division, which includes the Diamond Hill neighborhood where he grew up.
Starting in Patrol, he gained experience in Crimes Against Children, Internal Affairs, Public Information, SWAT, Vice, Narcotics and other areas of the department. His promotions included four years as Commander of Northwest Patrol Division and three most recent years as Deputy Chief of North Command, overseeing North, Northwest, West and Traffic Divisions as well as Air Support.
Asked what he’s most proud of during his tenure, Criado said, “I’m proud that I was able to mentor and teach others what I know. Success is not about me, it’s about what I can do for others.” Criado says he’ll miss the “great people” he’s had the pleasure of working with daily but will take some time to relax and enjoy his family before reevaluating what’s next.
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At a surprise retirement party, Deputy Chief Criado received applause, proclamations, cards, abrazos and kudos from Councilmembers Carlos Flores, Macy Hill, Jeanette Martinez, former councilmember Dennis Shingleton, FWPD executive staff and members of the FWPD honor guard.
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Thanks to your amazing generosity, we were able to help even more families this year. Our sincerest appreciation to everyone who donated toys, dolls, books, balls and more—especially Azora Ranch Apartments, Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Association, Citizens on Patrol members, Lake Country POA, Lakeview Apartments, North Side Neighborhood Association, Ulterra Drilling, police officers, staff and many individuals who wished to remain anonymous.
Your donations went to children enrolled in after-school programs at the city’s Diamond Hill, Northside and North Tri-Ethnic Community Centers. In addition, you helped Diamond Road Child Development Center, Mother Goose Nursery School and several struggling families that officers identified on their beats.
Chick-fil-A, 4500 W Bailey Boswell, provided lunch for children at North Tri-Ethnic Community Center, then it was time to choose toys! Santa made a visit and everyone showed off their gifts for the camera.
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Commander Molina and NPOs Massey and Vanbrunt delivered your donations to Diamond Hill Community Center.
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Northside Community Center children also got to choose two toys each from your donations, during a Christmas party at the center.
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An anonymous donor contributed several $100 Kroger gift cards and asked officers to hand them out to deserving families. We loved seeing recipients' surprised faces and smiles! |
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Shop With a Cop
It’s one of our favorite annual traditions—helping families shop for their children for the holidays. Northwest officers pair up with kids to cruise the aisles and help them find what they’re looking for. Then, we pick up the tab. Of course, we couldn’t do it without generous donors! Our thanks go to staff and manager Juan Peña at Walmart, 2245 Jacksboro Hwy, as well as Hacienda Bañuelos and the Fort Worth chapter of the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization. We also appreciate FWISD school counselors who help us identify families in need of a little extra help.
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Kiki’s Club Christmas
This celebration had it all! Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and a fabulous balloon-laden gingerbread house photo background. Kiki’s Club, a program at both Northside and North Tri-Ethnic Community Centers, provides activities for special needs adults 18 and older. Northwest Division officers were honored to get a party invitation.
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Chick-Fil-A Christmas
Fort Worth and other agency officers took part in a magical evening at Chick-Fil-A, 4500 W. Bailey Boswell Rd., complete with fake snow! Officers handed out hot chocolate, met customers and helped them take family photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a live reindeer and nutcracker.
Christmas Parade
A little drizzle didn’t keep folks away from the Stockyards Christmas Parade, including Northwest Commander Randy Molina, who stayed dry hitching a ride in a covered wagon.
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COPS for Kids
Northwest Division Police were among many Fort Worth officers who participated in Cook Children's Medical Center Teddy Bear giveaway.
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Fort Worth Metro Stocking Giveaway
Santa and Fort Worth Police joined members of the non-profit Fort Worth Metro to distribute stuffed stockings at Carter Park Elementary. Three police commanders, Molina of Northwest Division, Ricks of West and Kenjura of North, helped hand out goodies and greet the kids.
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New 2025 CFMH Schedule is Here
The city’s Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program (CFMH) aims to reduce crime, drug activity and gang presence on apartment properties. Fully certified properties have reported up to 70% fewer police calls. Other benefits include lower maintenance and repair costs, higher demand for rental units and improved personal safety and satisfaction for tenants, landlords and managers. Congratulations to Providence at Marine Creek Apartments, 4703 Old Decatur Rd, and Ascent Lake Worth Apartments, 3303 Shady Oaks Manor Dr, for passing their CFMH lighting inspections.
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Why lighting matters: With clipboard in hand, NPO Lamb noted the number and location of burned-out bulbs at an apartment complex on his beat. Simply replacing an incandescent bulb with an LED bulb can produce more light while using less electricity. Lighting is especially important for safety on stairs. Officer Lamb is clearly visible at the bottom of the first stairwell above but practically unseen in the second, where a bulb had burned out. Only our automatic flash made the second stairwell visible.
The 2025 CFMH training schedule is out. Property managers, assistant managers and leasing agents in complexes with eight or more units must attend an eight-hour training within six months of their hire date. A four-hour refresher is required annually for the landlord or at least one complex employee. For questions or more information, contact Officer Brittany Jones at Brittany.jones@fortworthtexas.gov or 817-392-4715.
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Crime Prevention Apartments Outreach
Our apartment complex outreach includes brief lessons for children in after-school programs. After learning “What to do about bullies,” we reviewed the previous month’s topic—calling 911 for emergencies. We’re happy to report all Reserve at Quebec kids earned a prize for knowing their complete home address—a critical part of calling 911.
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Children at the Residences of Diamond Hill had lots of questions for NPO Flores, after getting a look inside his patrol car. Our visit was part of the complex’s after-school program and also allows us to meet and share information with parents at pickup time.
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Providence at Marine Creek Apartments collected toy donations and invited NPO Lamb to help hand them out to residents. The complex has a resident services coordinator who also helps families with an on-site food pantry that includes children's vitamins and diapers.
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Neighborhood Awards Deadline Extended to Jan. 17
There's still time to nominate your Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPO), neighborhood association, or HOA for a Fort Worth Neighborhood Award. Learn more about the awards and apply online. Or, download the form and email it by Jan. 17. Winners of the Neighborhood Awards will be announced Saturday, March 1, at Doxology Bible Church.
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Mark IV Business Association
We appreciate the Mark IV Business Association letting us set up an information table at their meeting last month. After a presentation on the main topic, city water and sewer construction in the area, we were able to introduce ourselves and share free crime fighting resources. If your business group has similar opportunities, please email crime prevention specialist Dot Kent: dot.kent@fortworthtexas,gov
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NPO Skelton and Officer Gomez teamed up to answer questions at Sam Rosen Elementary School’s career day. Children learned that an officer’s most important tool is their radio.
Cesar Chavez Elementary
Officers Gomez and Flores told students at Cesar Chavez Elementary that the best way to prepare to be a police officer is to stay in school and stay out of trouble! Children also got to check out their police cars.
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Thanks to WJ Turner after-school students for sending Christmas cards to officers.
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COP 2024 Holiday Awards Luncheon
Neighborhood Patrol Officers and police brass attended the Annual Citizens on Patrol Awards Luncheon at Dickies Arena. The event recognizes volunteer COPs for the thousands of hours they put in each year assisting officers with neighborhood patrols and special event duties. And the drumroll please…
…Frank Diaz was named Northwest Division COP of the Year. Tina Wallen, also from Northwest Division, was named citywide COP of the Year!
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Double Graduation
We congratulate Northwest Division Lt. Kyle Lawrence and former Northwest NPO Sgt. David Deleon on earning Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from East Texas A&M University. Lt. Lawrence’s degree emphasized Law Enforcement Leadership. Sgt. Deleon, who’s now assigned to Mounted Patrol, said the degree had been a personal goal.
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NW Division Holiday Gatherings
With three daily shifts 24/7, it’s hard to get everyone together at one time. Once a year, we come close with the annual Northwest Division Holiday Lunch & Supper. Officers choose one of two serving times to enjoy a meal together. Our thanks to Santa (retired Officer G. Spakes) and the Grinch (Officer N. Hounsel) for making it jolly and to all who donated food and home-baked desserts for making it delicious. Special thanks to Sgt. Novak (not pictured) for grilling.
Snack Donation
Patrol officers work 10-hour shifts, never knowing exactly when they’ll get a chance to eat, so having a few snacks on hand is crucial. Our thanks to Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Association for their recent donation of grab-and-go snacks for officers.
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Detective for a Day
Jessica is in high school and considering a career in law enforcement-- specifically detective work. She spent a day in Northwest Division, helping Det. Tyler York gather evidence for a metal theft investigation and talking with several Neighborhood Patrol Officers.
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Northwest Police Division thanks the following businesses and organizations for their generous support of our youth outreach efforts during the holiday season.
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If you don’t know your NPO’s name, visit OneAddress. Type in your street address, click search, then click the "+" sign in front of the word “Neighborhoods.” Your NPO’s name and number are listed.
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This newsletter is published by Northwest Police Division Crime Prevention Office. |
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