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Northwest Police Division has seen a small but noticeable uptick in thefts of tools and equipment from both homes and businesses. Multiple reports involved yard tools and power tools taken from sheds that were not locked. A simple pad lock can be a strong deterrent. In other cases, thieves climbed over or cut a chain link fence to steal equipment that was in plain view. If possible, store equipment out of sight to help prevent theft. Other trends include thefts of property and weapons from unlocked cars and trucks. Also, windows were shattered on locked vehicles because valuables were visible inside. Please lock your vehicle and remove valuables and keys every time. Reminder: engraving your driver’s license number on tools will help police return them to you in case of theft.
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Prevent Package Thefts
As we get busy planning and shopping for the holidays, it’s important to double-down on safety. If you’re ordering online this year, protect your purchases:
-Sign up for email alerts from the shipper, so you know when packages arrive.
-Collect packages as soon as they're delivered. If you can’t, ask a trusted neighbor to retrieve and hold them for you.
-Request your packages be delivered to a secure pickup site such as a package locker, a shipping store or work address. Most large shippers and Amazon don’t charge for locker service or in-store pickup.
-Report suspicious activity to police, such as vehicles following delivery trucks.
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The QT at 109 E Northside Dr. is busy most every day, but when parking lot takeovers began happening, employees asked police for help.
Several near northside businesses began telling us last summer that late-night parking lot takeovers were disrupting their business and causing safety concerns for customers and employees. They described literally dozens of cars showing up at gas stations and other lots causing significant traffic disruptions, excessive noise and large crowds. Mostly on weekends, participants in these unauthorized gatherings would occupy gas pump stalls without purchasing fuel, preventing legitimate customers from filling up. At least one manager considered closing temporarily.
Northwest Police Division responded with a three-week special operation to address the trespassing, loitering and other crimes associated with parking lot takeovers. “FWPD officers have shown exceptional coordination and response to our issues regarding parking lot takeovers,” said QuickTrip DFW Division Community Affairs Coordinator James Lollis.
Working late-night and early morning hours, officers made a total of 119 calls, resulting in 45 traffic stops, 43 verbal warnings, 18 citations, six vehicles towed and five people arrested. The effort noticeably reduced takeovers and loitering. Business managers said they were grateful for Northwest Police Division’s responsiveness and extra effort. “Their quick action and proactive presence continue to help deter reckless driving and overcrowding in our parking lot to ensure the safety of our employees and customers,” Lollis said. If you see similar activity, please call 911.
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Officer Dustin Lamb with his state commendation. Supervisor Sgt. Joshua Bolin congratulates Officer Lamb.
In October, Northwest Division NPO Dustin Lamb received two awards in one week! The first was for exemplary service and heroism from District 90 State Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr. The state commendation cited Lamb’s work as a Field Training Officer mentoring new recruits, regular outreach in the community and crisis response actions that saved the life of a traffic accident victim and an individual experiencing a drug overdose. The second award was presented by the city at the Fort Worth Police Foundation Annual Awards Dinner. Officer Lamb received the Dwayne Freeto Service with Respect Award for going above and beyond in rescuing a man from a burning truck. Lamb has been with FWPD for eight years. He’s also been a police officer, emergency medical technician and firefighter in other Texas cities.
Happy Ending
Officers patrolling Marine Park recently arrested four people for criminal trespass and contacted the city’s Animal Control division to pick up a dog the suspects had with them. After scanning the animal for a microchip, Animal Control learned the dog, named Daisy, was stolen. We just happened to see on Facebook where Daisy was returned to her owner. We love a happy ending!
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Mark your calendar for a chance to get to know Police Chief Eddie Garcia. Northwest residents in Fort Worth City Council Districts 2 and 7 are invited to a Meet & Greet Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD administration building, 1600 Mustang Rock Rd. It’ll be a chance to shake hands, ask questions and hear what he has to say. The event is co-hosted by Councilmembers Carlos Flores and Macy Hill.
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National Night Out Success!
Fort Worth celebrated National Night Out with at least 259 separate block parties throughout the city on October 7. It was a chance for thousands of neighbors to get to know each other and the officers who serve their area, including Neighborhood Patrol Officer Meagan Vorce. She handed out police patch stickers, and this group of girls quickly put them on their sleeves just like hers! See more fun NNO photos later in this newsletter.
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Toy Donations Needed
Once again, we ask for your help as we collect toys for children in our Northwest Division community. Last year, thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide toys for children enrolled in after-school programs at all three community centers in Northwest Division, as well as a handful of struggling families that officers identified on their beats.
Please drop off unwrapped toys beginning Nov. 10 through Dec. 11 at our office, 4651 N. Main St., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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A recent imposter scam cost a Fort Worth man $30,000. The Federal Trade Commission says government imposter scams are the most common. These crimes involve fraudsters posing as government officials from agencies like the IRS, Social Security or law enforcement to trick victims into providing personal information, money or access to sensitive accounts. How to avoid government impostor scams:
Verify directly. If someone claims to be from a government agency, contact the agency using its official website or phone number. Never use the contact information provided by the caller, email or text.
Know how government agencies operate. Legitimate agencies like the IRS and Social Security will not demand immediate payment, threaten arrest or ask for sensitive information by phone, email or text.
Beware of unusual payment methods. Requests for payment using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or apps like Venmo, PayPal, CashApp and similar are often a scam.
Protect your personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive details like Social Security number, bank account details or passwords unless you initiated contact with a verified agency.
Check email extensions. Official government correspondence usually comes from addresses ending in “.gov” or “.mil”… never from Gmail, Yahoo or similar domains.
Report any suspicious contact through BBB Scam Tracker.
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Walking Town Hall
Councilmember Macy Hill convened her Walking Town Hall with a stroll through the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. Commander Molina, Sgt. Bohlin and NPOs Rodriguez and Vanbrunt joined the District 7 city council representative and residents, answering questions and listening to concerns. Two highlights of the tour: the chance to hold a live baby gator and seeing the center’s buffalo herd.
Pumpkin Fiesta
NICA drew a big crowd for its first ever Pumpkin Fiesta. The Northside Inter-Community Agency, 1600 Circle Park Blvd, provides resources for families and individuals. The event was a fun way to publicize the non-profit agency’s food pantry, clothing closet, teen reading programs and more. We enjoyed handing out treats and talking about Halloween Safety.
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Family Night a Big Hit
Camp Fire First Texas drew more than 50 people for its Halloween themed family night. The concept: invite busy families out for a meal, helpful information and a fun activity they can do together. We loved seeing families and siblings working together to carve pumpkins, which they got to take home. NPO Jose Zenteno kept the little ones entertained tossing balloons.
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Safe Halloween Fun
Organized events offered fun and safety on Halloween. Clockwise: cake walk, NPO Velasquez poses for a photo, NPO Skelton lets kids see the back of her patrol car (scary!), NPO Starratt gives out candy, NPOs Briseno and Massey with Kiki's Club, Superman high-fives NPO Massey and Commander Molina makes a 911 call.
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Crime Reports & Community
NPO Kirk Massey delivered his crime report to the Far Greater Northside Historical Neighborhood Association meeting. The group gathers on the first Thursday of the month at North Tri-Ethnic Community Center, 2950 Roosevelt Ave., to discuss neighborhood issues, share concerns and plan fun, educational events. The association invites residents living north of Ephriham Ave./NW 28th, between Rosen Park and North Main to join them.
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Police Story Time
We thank the Fort Worth Public Library for inviting us to Police Story Time at Northside Library. Lt. James Hill read books to children about community helpers, including police. After story time, NPO Zach Briseño handed out junior badge stickers and showed off his patrol car. Check out more fun events for all ages at Northside Library.
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Senior Share
Officers enjoy helping out with Senior Share when they can. The program provides fresh food once a month for older residents on a fixed income. The free distribution is at 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at Northside Community Center, 1100 NW 18th St. Just drive up and volunteers will help load items into your car.
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Honor, Duty, Family
Texas Forge Taekwondo, a family owned martial arts school on the Northside, invited us to speak with its young students about what it takes to be a police officer. The school, located at 1511 NW 25th St., focuses on respect, honor, duty and family. The school has produced multiple world and national champions over the years.
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Coffee (& Cars!) with a Cop
Our Coffee with a Cop Business Edition aimed to show owners and managers some of the crime prevention tools Northwest Police Division offers, as well as give them a chance to meet and talk with Neighborhood Patrol Officers. In addition to picking up safety signage and info about the Community Camera and Criminal Trespass Affidavit Programs, attendees could check out the amazing DFW Car & Toy Museum collection. We thank the museum and Starbucks for their generous donations to this event.
Save the Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
At its monthly meeting in October, Historic Northside District leaders announced a 2025 State of the District Community Update, set for 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at Artes de la Rosa, 1440 N. Main St. District leadership will give updates on corridor design, economic vitality initiatives and a preview of the upcoming ¡Sí Northside! Strategic Plan for the future of the North Main corridor between Panther Island and The Stockyards. Come early for coffee and pan dulce.
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Stockyards Business
Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent shared information about signage and other resources her office offers at a recent luncheon meeting of the Stockyards Business Association. The group meets monthly to share info about new businesses, improvements and events going on in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
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Recruiting Tool
Northwest Division officers were featured in a new recruiting video that stars Police Chief Eddie Garcia. In the video, Chief Garcia touts the support officers receive from city leaders and elected officials. Northwest NPOs Stephen Rodriguez and Jennifer Starratt can be seen greeting Stockyards visitors and walking down E. Exchange Avenue. The video has helped increase the number of job applications, as Fort Worth competes with other cities for hiring.
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Tunnels to Towers
Commander Randy Molina and Sgt. Anthony White and his son were among those participating in the Tunnels to Towers Foundation 5K run and walk through the Fort Worth Stockyards. The annual event supports first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty.
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Citizens on Patrol
One of the highlights of monthly Citizens on Patrol (COP) meetings is hearing about crime trends in Northwest Division. Neighborhood Patrol Officers deliver news from each of their beats, and COP volunteers have a chance to ask questions and share issues they’re seeing on their patrols. The COP program trains volunteers to serve as extra eyes and ears in their neighborhoods, reporting suspicious activity to police. If you’d like to know more, email COP Coordinator Sandra.Jones-Hunley@fortworthtexas.gov.
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Nominate an Outstanding NPO
Online nominations begin Nov. 1, for the Fort Worth Neighborhood Awards. The awards recognize neighborhood projects that help revitalize, provide social connections and engage residents in their community. Individual awards will recognize a 2025 Neighborhood Patrol Officer of the Year and Code Officer of the Year. We hope you’ll consider nominating NPOs who have addressed concerns, solved problems and served your neighborhood well. Finalists will be announced in early 2026.
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National Night Out
Thanks to all who organized NNO parties and invited us to meet your neighbors. We had a blast! Mark your calendars—next year’s Night Out is Oct. 6.
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Comment on Proposed City Spending
Get involved as the City of Fort Worth considers a bond election in May 2026. Bonds provide funding for major projects, including fire stations, road construction and library improvements. Learn about the possibilities and give your input—in person or online!
Among the $840 million dollars in proposed projects, several are in Northwest Fort Worth:
- Bonds Ranch Road & Meacham Boulevard construction
- NW 25th & N Main intersection improvements
- Diamond Hill Library expansion
- Rebuilding Fire Station 40
Open Houses are scheduled in all areas of the city through late November, including 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Northside Community Center, 1100 NW 18th St. and 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17 at Leo Adams Middle School, 1069 Eagle Blvd.
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Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4
Your voting location may have changed for the November 4 election, after Tarrant County Commissioners cut more than 100 polling sites. You can find a list of election day voting locations on the Tarrant County election webpage. While there, download a sample ballot listing the 17 proposed Constitutional Amendments on the ballot. For non-partisan explanations of each proposal, visit the Texas League of Women Voters website and click on “Find what is on your ballot.” There’s info in multiple languages.
Trinity Metro will offer free rides for voting on all local services on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Customers riding to or from the polls are eligible for free rides on Trinity Metro buses, Trinity Metro On-Demand rideshare services and Trinity Metro TEXRail. To obtain a free ride, just notify your driver or train conductor that you’re traveling to or from a voting location.
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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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