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Chief Eddie Garcia became the city’s 28th police chief last month, and northwest Fort Worth residents had a chance to hear his goals for the department at a Sept. 30 reception at Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center. In remarks to the crowd, Chief Garcia said his top goals are to reduce crime, keep officer morale high and ensure accountability and trust in the community.
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On crime: “The number one goal is reduction in crime,” Garcia said. “We need to put our officers in the best place to be and demand they go out and catch bad guys.”
On morale: “Officers need to know I support them and the city supports them. We need them to look forward to going to work,” Garcia said, pointing out that officers often miss birthdays, Little League games and other family events.
On accountability and trust: “We need to continue to improve, and we need to build trust” through community policing, especially with youth. “The first time they see us can’t be when we’re trying to arrest them,” Garcia said. “You should hold us accountable, but we need you to support us, too.”
Like most big cities, the Fort Worth Police Department has faced staffing shortages which affect performance. Garcia predicted, “By September 2026, the police department should be fully staffed. We’re going to recruit ferociously.” In addition to serving on the city’s leadership team, Garcia oversees 1,896 sworn officers and 574 professional staff members.
Newly appointed Police Chief Eddie Garcia addressed the crowd Sept. 30 at a welcome reception at Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts.
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October 1 marks a new fiscal year and budget for the City of Fort Worth, including additional Neighborhood Patrol Officers (NPOs) and School Resource Officers (SROs). NPOs were added following a beat study, which looked at geographic boundaries of patrol beats. As a result, the department added 12 beats to provide more efficient and effective police response. SROs were added in partnership with Fort Worth ISD to address added security requirements for school districts. The SRO unit now includes 78 SROs, seven sergeants, two detectives and one civilian employee in service to schools.
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Application Deadline Extended
The FWPD Police Trainee application deadline has been extended to October 14th. Learn more online about a law enforcement career with the Fort Worth Police Department. Or click this link to apply now: https://bit.ly/46HVtts
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Civilian Response Unit is Hiring
Not every call for service requires a police officer to respond, so in 2021 Fort Worth Police started the Civilian Response Unit (CRU). This group of unarmed, trained employees performs certain police duties so that officers can get back to patrolling. CRU does not respond to calls where a suspect is on the scene or likely to return, but they do investigate calls, collect evidence (including fingerprints) and write police reports. “What I like most about the job is the connection we’re able to make with the members of our communities,” said Civilian Response Specialist Garrett Bailey. Bailey and other specialists also help with traffic control for parades and community events. The Civilian Response Unit is currently hiring for nine positions. Learn more about the job by watching this Facebook video or check out the job description here.
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A multi-agency investigation initiated by Northwest Police Division has shut down an after-hours club located at 3108 N. Main St. Club 3108 had operated in violation of state law, leading to a range of incidents that endangered the safety of patrons and residents.
Information gathered in summer 2025 revealed evidence the club was operating illegally after hours. While serving a search warrant, officers seized 260 bottles of alcohol and one firearm. In addition, the club owner was arrested for multiple felony warrants related to state law violations.
Venues operating in such manner often change name or ownership to try and evade authorities, but FWPD and Fort Worth City Legal will continue to pursue legal action.
Northwest Police Division thanks the following agencies for their assistance: City of Fort Worth Legal Department, Texas Comptroller’s Office, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, City Code Compliance, Health Department and Nuisance Abatement plus Fort Worth PD SWAT, Directed Response and Vice units.
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The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) has named Officer Ben Wright its 2025 Officer of the Year. The 26-year veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department received the award from Governor Greg Abbott and CLEAT Regional Director FWPD Sgt. Anthony White. Assigned to the Northwest Division Metal Theft Unit, Officer Wright’s investigative efforts helped dismantle a multi-state organized
theft ring targeting AT&T telecommunications wire, resulting in nine felony arrest warrants and the recovery of hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen property, including copper wiring. “Ben has strengthened enforcement protocols in the Metal Theft Unit while collaborating with metal recycling and telecommunications companies across the state,” said Sgt. White. Officer Wright also testified during the 89th Legislative Session in support of new legislation designed to combat metal theft and protect communities from devastating outages caused by theft.
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Scammers get more active around Medicare Open Enrollment Period, trying to get your money, your information—or both. As you consider health coverage and prescription options during this period (October 15-December 7), learn to spot the scams.
Scammers often impersonate Medicare and contact you unexpectedly. They might sound professional and even have some of your personal information. They may claim you need an “updated” Medicare card and ask for your Medicare, bank account or credit card numbers. Just hang up! Real Medicare representatives won’t call, text or email you out of the blue to ask for your numbers or a payment. Protect yourself:
-Medicare will only ask you to verify information if you contact them first.
-Medicare won’t try to sell you anything. Only scammers do that.
-Your caller ID might show Medicare’s name or phone number, but caller ID can be faked.
-Find information about your coverage options at Medicare.gov — the official U.S. government site for Medicare — or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
-Get help comparing costs, coverage and plans at State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and choose “Texas.”
Please report Medicare impersonators and scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Fort Worth’s National Night Out (NNO) is Tuesday, Oct. 7, and we look forward to visiting with as many of you as we can! The annual one-night celebration promotes getting to know your neighbors and first responders—one of the most effective crime prevention tools there is.
If you registered with the police department by the Sept. 30 deadline, we’ll see you soon! If you missed the deadline, you can still take part. The three city community centers below are hosting public NNO parties in Northwest Division.
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Coffee & Conversation
Northwest Division officers met and talked with 288 residents during a series of Coffee with a Cop events this summer. The casual get-togethers were held throughout northwest Fort Worth to make it convenient for residents to attend near where they live. Our thanks to Casa Azul Coffee, El Rancho on North Main, Chick-fil-A Saginaw, Diamond Hill Food City, New Day Café Brunch House, Starbucks #67357, and Portico Coffee for hosting. And we thank everyone who dropped by to meet their NPO, ask questions and share concerns.
Our next event is Coffee with a Cop - Business Edition. We invite northwest Fort Worth business owners and managers, or their representative, to join us. It's 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 at DFW Car & Toy Museum, 2550 McMillan Pkwy. Come-and-go with no agenda-- just meet your NPO and tell us what's on your mind.
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Homecoming Parades
Diamond Hill-Jarvis and North Side High Schools held their homecoming parades on the same afternoon—and we were there for both! Parades featured floats, horses, football players, cheerleaders, bands and our own Northwest Division NPO Magdalena Skelton.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Commander Randy Molina was honored to ride in the Fiestas Patrias Parade, as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards! The day was a true celebration of culture and tradition drawing a large crowd of both locals and tourists.
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Sonidos del Summer
The popular Sonidos del Summer annual concert series in Marine Park has come to an end, but not before attracting thousands of folks for Ballet Folklórico performances and music by Idania and Grammy nominated Gabriella Martinez on Sept. 13. NPO Skelton and Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent enjoyed handing out info and goodies to adults and children.
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Historic Northside District
At the group’s largest monthly gathering to date, members of the Historic Northside District heard updates from their design committee as well as Neighborhood Patrol Officers. The group is focused on pedestrian safety, on-street parking, beautification and other improvements along and near the North Main Street corridor, between downtown and the Stockyards. September’s meeting host was Hugo’s 5 de Mayo Bar & Grill, 1521 N. Main St.
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Bonnie Brae NA
NPO Rick De Los Santos presented the most recent crime report and answered questions at Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Association’s September meeting. The group also put the finishing touches on planning for their upcoming National Night Out celebration.
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Memorial Stair Climb
It was a long way up and back for Fort Worth firefighters and police participating in the City Center 9/11 Memorial Tower Climb. Northwest Division Officers Dustin Lamb and Jordan Hughes were among those who ascended 110 floors of the Bank of America Tower in downtown Fort Worth. Each participant carried the name and photo of a first responder who lost their life in the September 11 terror attacks. Officer Joshua Vanbrunt, playing bagpipes with the Cowtown Police Pipes & Drums unit, was also part of the solemn tribute.
Artful Reminder
The drawing at right appeared on a white board in the Northwest Division roll call room as a reminder of our country’s National Day of Service and Remembrance, honoring victims and survivors of 9/11 terror attacks. The artist? Our own Officer Ben Wright. Some of his other talents were outlined earlier in this newsletter.
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Use of Force Explained
Commander Randy Molina introduced Lt. Pawel Nabialek at a recent Northwest Citizens on Patrol (COP) meeting to summarize when officers can and cannot use force. Lt. Nabialek covered the history and common misconceptions about use of force. COP members receive ongoing training like this at their regular monthly meetings. For more information about the COP volunteer program, email coordinator Sandra.Jones-Hundley@fortworthtexas.gov.
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Guten Tag Y’all
Northwest Division was proud to support the Rahr Brewing Octoberfest 5K Run in downtown Fort Worth. Among those participating in the run were (left to right) North Richland Hills Detectives Erik Whitlock and Gabriel Cespedes, FWPD Northwest Division’s Lt. Carlos Cespedes and Officers Luis Navarro-Hernandez and Andrew Nickerson. Sgt. Bonnie Kenjura assisted with traffic and safety. The run benefitted DFW animal adoption efforts.
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Shoot for the Blue
Our thanks to all those who participated in the annual Shoot for the Blue sporting clay competition that raises funds for the city’s police bike patrols. The Fort Worth Police Bike Support Group, a charitable organization providing additional training and equipment to keep our officers and community safe, organized the fundraiser with Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch.
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Autobahn Donates Electric Bike
Autobahn Porsche Fort Worth has donated a Porsche Cross Performance eBike to the FWPD Bike Patrol. Presented by Autobahn Porsche General Manager David Morrison, the electric bike will make it even easier for bike patrol officers to go where their patrol cars can’t.
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If you don’t know your Neighborhood Patrol Officer’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 was published by Northwest Police Division Crime Prevention Office. |
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