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Northwest Division has a few Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPO) changes to report in far northwest Fort Worth. NPOs are an important part of Fort Worth Police Department’s community policing strategy. In addition to regular patrols, they work closely with neighborhoods, apartment communities, businesses and community groups to reduce crime.
Officer Johnny Gonzalez is the new NPO for David 17 beat, in far northwest Fort Worth. Gonzalez has been a FWPD officer for more than 17 years, including 12 years in patrol, three years in the Gang Unit and two years as an NPO. His D17 beat stretches from Bonds Ranch Road on the north to Bowman Roberts on the south and includes the neighborhoods of Cibolo Hills, Eagle Mountain La Frontera, Lakepointe, Talon Hills, The Landing and Twin Mill Farms, among others.
Officer Joshua Vanbrunt had been covering two beats temporarily. He's now NPO for beat David 14. He's been with FWPD for 15 years, serving in patrol, the hostage negotiation team and continues to serve in the department's Pipes & Drums band. His D14 beat includes the Fort Worth Nature Center and Wildlife Refuge and communities surrounding Lake Worth, north of Loop 820.
Officer Stevan Velasquez is the new NPO for beat David 13. He’s been with FWPD for about 18 years, having worked patrol, Gang Unit and K9 Unit before becoming an NPO. D13 beat includes neighborhoods surrounding Lake Worth, south of Loop 820, such as Cohoba, East Lake Worth and Eastgate.
Do You Know Your NPO? Find a list of all northwest NPOs at the end of this newsletter. If you don’t know your NPO’s name and phone number, visit the city’s online data portal OneAddress. Just 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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A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, our Northwest Division officers fanned out on a mission. But instead of handing out tickets on their traffic patrols, officers surprised unsuspecting drivers with free turkeys—just in time for Thanksgiving! We thank Walmart, 2245 Jacksboro Hwy, for donating 20 frozen turkeys and giving us the opportunity to make someone's day.
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Our Northwest Police Division Toy Drive continues through Thursday, Dec. 11, and we could still use a few more toys—especially for pre-teens and teens. We thank the Mattel Toy Store and so many others for their recent donations. We hope to be able to provide toys for children enrolled in programs at all three community centers in Northwest Division, as well as a handful of struggling families that officers have identified on their beats.
If you're able, please drop off unwrapped toys at our office at 4651 N. Main St. any time 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Dec. 11. Or contact your NPO for a pickup.
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Theft of property from unlocked cars and trucks is still trending in northwest Fort Worth. Please don’t leave anything inside your vehicle and lock it every time. Here are some examples of preventable crimes from reports over the last four weeks:
- Various suspects stole tablet, MacBook, wireless microphone, Bluetooth speaker, leather notebook, wallet with driver license, debit card, firearms, backpacks from vehicles.
- Suspect took garage door opener, entered garage and stole turkey from refrigerator.
- Two toolboxes stolen from an open pickup bed overnight.
- Box truck stolen after vehicle was left running to “warm up.” Suspect just hopped in and drove off. Another vehicle stolen when left unlocked with key inside.
- Theft of parts: tailgate, license plates, trailer hitch, catalytic converter.
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License Plate Thefts on the Rise
Northwest Division has seen an uptick in stolen license plates. Sometimes those plates end up on stolen cars or the car of someone planning to commit a crime. If your license plate is stolen in Fort Worth:
-File a police report and request a copy, in case of legal or identity theft issues.
-Contact your county motor vehicle section to apply for a replacement license plate. Here’s the Tarrant County link.
-Inform your auto insurer and ask if you need to file a claim or take other action.
-Monitor your financial accounts and personal information because stolen license plates may be used in fraudulent activities.
To prevent stolen plates, add a few drops of solder on the bolts, blur the screw threads or purchase inexpensive “anti-theft” security screws at a hardware store.
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The Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) reported a 16.4% decrease in crimes for the third quarter of 2025, with 12,143 offenses compared to 14,523 offenses during the same period in 2024. Crimes against persons were down 10.9%, crimes against property decreased 20.5% and crimes against society (such as DWI, gambling, public intoxication, etc.) were down 3.3%.
Commanders work with the FWPD Real Time Crime Center, crime analysts and Neighborhood Patrol Officers (NPOs) to identify emerging trends and hotspots, then take action, placing patrols and resources where they’re needed most. View the full 2025 Q3 Crime Report here.
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Officer Nava Remembered
On Monday, Dec. 1, there will be a candlelight vigil at 5:30p.m. at the Police & Fire Memorial, 2201 W. 7th St. to honor the 20th anniversary of the death of Officer Henry “Hank” Nava. Officer Nava was shot Nov. 29, 2005, while pursuing a suspect for a parole violation warrant in Northwest Division. He died two days later.
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Gratitude & Giving Day
Officers Kirk Massey, Maggie Skelton and Jennifer Starratt helped hand out fresh produce and extra groceries for senior citizens at Diamond Hill Community Center, 1700 NE 37th St. The food giveaway helps elderly residents on fixed incomes every third Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
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Later in the day, Officers Starratt and Skelton had almost as much fun as the kids did, holding bunnies and fancy hens at Diamond Hill’s Fall Festival petting zoo!
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Best Years Club
Officers Zach Briseño and Kirk Massey helped serve meals to seniors during a fall luncheon at Northside Community Center, 1100 NW 18th St. The center's Best Years Club offers many activities to keep seniors active and engaged.
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Silver Angel Tree
Northside Community Center put up a Silver Angel Tree this year. Each ornament represents a member of the center's Best Years Club who might need slippers, gloves or toiletries for the holidays. If you'd like to shop for an elderly neighbor, call the center at 817-392-5992.
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Dia de los Muertos
Light drizzle didn’t dampen the most colorful celebration in Fort Worth—the 22nd annual Dia de los Muertos Parade. The event is organized by Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts at the Rose Marine Theater as part of the Northside tradition of honoring loved ones who have gone before us. Northwest Division police assisted with traffic control for the parade down Main Street.
Fall Festival
United Community Center’s Wesley Center, at 3600 N. Crump St., opened its doors for a fall festival in early November. Children enjoyed games and pumpkin painting. NPO Starratt handed out junior police badge stickers.
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Book a Presentation
Northwest Police Division offers safety presentations for adults and children. During a series of visits to The Landings at Marine Creek apartments, we talked with about 65 children in the property’s after-school program, covering one topic each week: 911 for emergencies, what to do about bullies, safe walking and crossing, and strangers: in person and online. Each presentation includes free handouts. Our thanks to Resident Service Coordinator Shanitra Clash for inviting us and providing snacks for the kids. If you’d like to schedule a presentation for adults or children, email Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent.
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Stockyards Christmas
Commander Molina joined Santa and Mrs. Claus and Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores and his son at the annual lighting of the Stockyards Christmas tree. You can ring in the holidays in the Stockyards, featuring festive activities including a holiday ice rink, sounds of the season, photos with Cowboy Santa and story time with Mrs. Claus. Explore at Fort Worth Stockyards.
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New Stockyards Sign
The Stockyards Historic District is about 200-acres, but some folks think it ends at North Main Street. Not anymore! A new sign on West Exchange Avenue, unveiled last month, shows tourists and natives that there’s more Stockyards to explore on the west side of North Main. Ruth Hooker, who owns Hooker’s Grill at 213 W. Exchange Ave., said it was the fulfillment of a dream. Hooker says she gets customers every week who come in and think they’ve left the Stockyards. “I tell them they’re still in the Stockyards!” The new sign will let everyone else know, too.
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Historic Northside District
At its 2025 “State of the District” gathering Nov. 8, Historic Northside District celebrated a year of success while also looking to what’s ahead. Leaders of the district, located between downtown and the Stockyards, presented an annual report to residents and businesses highlighting accomplishments from more than $6 million invested over the last three years:
- Attracted more than 8,800 visitors to the 2025 Sonidos del Summer concert series.
- Hosted numerous workshops for residents and small businesses.
- Served 443 businesses and 10 property owners.
- Several building restorations completed or underway, bringing vacant and underutilized spaces into use (Marine Central, the Vinnedge Building, the Fred Rouse Center for Arts & Community Healing, Alan’s Lids, the Percy Building and the Mercado Building.
- Created new public events, such as Posadas and Corridor Cafecitos.
-Speakers also outlined plans for the future, which include four upcoming petitions for:
- Mixed Use Zoning, to eliminate industrial zoning pockets that are not compatible with neighborhoods.
- Historic Cultural Landmark District, which would unlock funds for development.
- Conservation Districts, a set of design guidelines to conserve character.
- Public Improvement District, or PID, to raise funds from participating businesses for marketing, beautification or other efforts that benefit all.
Speakers reiterated that Historic Northside District is a bottom-up initiative with goals of preserving the history, culture and character of the northside while making sure people are not pushed out. Northwest Division Police assist the group with crime prevention strategies.
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Want to know more? Historic Northside District meets monthly at different businesses. Visit the HND webpage, contact project manager Dee Lara O’Neal or attend the next HND meeting 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Mercado Building, 1500 N. Main St.
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Career Days
We visited several schools last month for their career days. Officers showed students some of the tools they use on the job. We also talked about how to call for help in an emergency. Nearly all children knew to call 911, but most did not know their home address! We encouraged children go home, ask their family and learn their address in case of an emergency.
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Officer Dustin Lamb had a helper demonstrate his shield at Dolores Huerta Elementary.
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Officer Starratt let children get a close-up look at her patrol car at Sam Rosen Elementary.
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NPO Lamb showed children at WJ Turner Elementary his most important piece of equipment-- his radio.
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New COP Coordinator Named
Northwest Citizens on Patrol Coordinator Sandra Jones-Hunley (pictured far right) is retiring in mid-December. For more than three years she’s trained volunteers how to report suspicious activity, use radio communications and stay out of harm’s way while patrolling their neighborhoods by car, bike or on foot. “Sandra has been a tireless cheerleader for the COP program,” said Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent. “She understands the value volunteers add to our mission.”
Fortunately, we’ve already found her replacement! Office assistant Jessica Vazquez will take over as COP Coordinator on Dec. 22. She’s been with Northwest Division almost four years. “I really enjoy working with volunteers because their commitment and support have a positive impact on both our team and the community we serve,” Jessica said. “I’m excited to step into this new role.” Interested in joining COP? Email Jessica Vazquez.
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COP Awards Dinner
Northwest Police Division honored our Citizens on Patrol volunteers for the hundreds of hours they give throughout the year to keep Fort Worth neighborhoods safe. In November, we treated COP volunteers to an Angelo’s Barbeque dinner and handed out 35 awards for service.
Volunteers Frank Diaz and Laurie Reed received special recognition for 36 years of service—each! Our 20-year service honorees were Bill Fitts and Brenda Fitts. Volunteer Sue Anderson earned the 110% Award, a special recognition for her dedication assisting the Northwest COP Coordinator with various administrative duties. Additional volunteers earned Community Service, Outstanding Service, Rookie (2 years), Five-Year and 10-Year service awards. Northwest NPOs and Commander Randy Molina helped distribute the awards with a personal “thank you.”
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Sgt. Ricardo Castro and eight Northwest patrol officers made it to the top of Guadalupe Peak—the highest mountain in Texas at 8,751 feet—during a November team building climb. The climb is strenuous, characterized by a steep, rocky trail with a 3,000-foot elevation gain over 4.2 miles to the summit. The mostly novice climbers faced cold temperatures and thin air on the mountain, not to mention the overall round-trip of 8.4 miles. “They probably wanted to kill me at one point, but we all made it,” Castro said.
Team Northwest at the summit of Guadalupe Peak, in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in far West Texas.
Left to right: Officers Wingrove, Torres, Hernandez, Munoz, Sgt. Castro, Officers Carrillo, Delgado, Nguyen and Lopez. The team carried a special Northwest Division flag with them, donated by the Booster Banner Store.
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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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