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“What goes up must come down” explains the danger of unlawful gunfire. A bullet fired into the air travels upward until its momentum is overcome by gravity, at which point it falls back to earth. During its descent, a bullet can reach speeds of between 100 and 200 miles per hour, enough to penetrate human skin and cause fatal injuries. A bullet can break the skin at speeds as low as 136 miles per hour.
Even bullets fired at an angle maintain a ballistic trajectory and can travel at high speeds, posing a risk to people and property far from the firing location. This physical reality is the basis for strict laws prohibiting such reckless behavior. The penalty under Texas Law is a $4,000 fine and up to a year in jail. However, the penalty can increase if ANYTHING OR ANYONE is hit by a bullet. Please...
1) Be a responsible gun owner. Don’t shoot into the air.
2) Call 911 to report those who do. Your life could depend on it.
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Agency Warns of Text Scams
Don’t tap that link! The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) says fraudsters are flooding phones with fake violation notices designed to scare and steal. Drivers across Texas have reported receiving alarming messages that falsely claim to be from the TxDMV or similarly named agencies.
The texts often threaten immediate prosecution, suspension of vehicle registration or loss of driving privileges due to unpaid traffic tickets or toll violations. They often include a link urging recipients to pay fines immediately to avoid penalties, the scams are designed to steal personal and financial information.
TxDMV does not issue or collect fines for toll or traffic violations. It does not communicate about registration issues through unsolicited text messages. If you receive a suspicious message:
- Do not click any links.
- Do not reply or share personal information.
Report such message to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/ or the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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Crowd Control Training
Police officers train continually. Staying in shape, studying changes in law and updating their skills are part of the job. But with four million people expected in North Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, our officers are also preparing for crowds. Several Northwest officers attended last month’s Mobile Field Force training at Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex. The training focused on protecting players, staff, attendees, venues, critical infrastructure and officers.
Clockwise from upper left: Officers used a “bike fence” to create a safe barrier between groups. Members of the Directed Response Unit safely arrested an “agitator,” played by a volunteer. Officers practiced moving in unison to push back a crowd. Smiles after training was completed.
Life-Saving Training
Because police often arrive first at emergency calls—Northwest officers also took hands-on training to render aid at accident scenes and community events. The class, provided free of charge by IES Healthcare, featured lessons from trauma doctors using realistic models and real-world scenarios. The three-hour training included emergency recognition, rapid intervention and use of first aid techniques for stroke, bleeding, choking, allergic reaction, overdose and more.
Left to right: Officer Dustin Lamb practiced hands-only CPR and how to apply an AED with other officers in the class. Officers Johnny Gonzalez and Robert Herrera worked on an incredibly realistic model to control life-threatening bleeding and apply a tourniquet. After learning CPR for adults, Officer Zach Briseño practiced pediatric CPR and choking response on an infant model. Commander Randy Molina holds one of the deluxe First Aid kits IES gave every officer to keep in their patrol cars.
Learn to Save a Life May 16
You can learn basic CPR and first aid, too, at our Northwest Police Division health and safety fair, while also getting your blood pressure, cholesterol and eyesight checked-- all for free! Sponsor Texas Health Resources will offer free mammograms, well-woman exams and PSA tests for prostate cancer at Northside Community Center. Our Summer Kick-off Party is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16 and will include free food, children’s games and prizes, raffles and a bike rodeo with free helmets for the first 100 youth who participate. Mark your calendar now!
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We get plenty of complaints and questions about electric bikes and scooters on city streets, but there’s not a lot police can do if riders are following the law. In Texas, e-bikes and e-scooters are treated much like conventional bicycles. That means:
-No driver’s license or registration required.
-They're allowed on roads, bike lanes and paths, but generally not on sidewalks or non-motorized park trails.
-Drivers must obey all traffic laws (stop signs, yield to pedestrians, travel in correct direction, no DWI, etc.)
-Have mandatory lights at night (white front light and red rear light or reflector.)
To learn more, check out the Texas Transportation Code §551.351 We recommend parents share the following info graphic with children who use e-bikes and e-scooters.
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Congratulations to Northwest NPOs Dustin Lamb (First Runner Up) and Kirk Massey (Second Runner Up) for Neighborhood Patrol Officer of the Year, announced March 7 at the citywide Mayor’s Neighborhood Awards Luncheon. NPO of the Year is Aric Phillips from East Division. Of the 11 NPOs nominated this year, four were from Northwest—NPOs Lamb, Massey, Jennifer Starratt and Stevan Velasquez. All were nominated by the neighborhoods they serve.
Officer Lamb was nominated by North Beverly Hills NA and Alton Park, Northill Manor and Marine Park apartment complexes. Officer Massey was nominated by Far Greater Northside Historical NA and North Tri-Ethnic Community Center.
Pictured above: Executive Assistant Chief David Carabajal, David District NPO Sgt. Joshua Bohlin, NPO Lamb, NPO Massey, NPO Starratt, Charlie District NPO Sgt. Sandra Baldivia, NPO Stevan Velasquez and Northwest Division Commander Randy Molina at the Neighborhood Awards Luncheon.
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The Neighborhood Awards also highlighted the great work of Lake Country POA and Marine Creek Ranch HOA. Both won the Spirit of Fort Worth Award in their respective categories. As a voluntary association, Lake Country won for their Christmas Parade & Toy Drive. In the HOA category, Marine Creek Ranch won for their Annual Fireworks Show which has grown to include surrounding neighborhoods.
Lake Country also was First Runner Up for Fort Worth Pride and Second Runner Up for Healthy Neighborhood. Lake Country resident Robin Bohlin (mom to our own Sgt. Josh Bohlin) received a special Heart of the Community Award. Also, the family of former Northwest Citizens on Patrol volunteer Frank Diaz accepted a posthumous Special Community Recognition.
Left to right: Members of Lake Country and Marine Creek Ranch accepted their awards and took photos with Mayor Mattie Parker.
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Help Eliminate Graffiti
Graffiti can lower property values and encourage crime in neighborhoods. This spring and summer, we’re asking for your help to get rid of it. The city’s Graffiti Abatement Program (GAP) will remove graffiti on private, commercial, public and park property at no charge to the property owner. We just need you to report it!
Step 1: Take a picture and report any graffiti you see. Email graffiti@fortworthtexas.gov, use the MyFW app, or call 817-392-2700. Step 2: If it’s on your property, fill out and include the Permission to remove graffiti form.
Most reports are handled within 48 hours! Depending on the surface, GAP will pressure wash, sand blast, paint or use chemicals to remove graffiti. Here are ways to prevent graffiti:
- Keep property clean and neat. Unkempt exteriors often attract vandals.
- Plant shrubs, thorny plants or vines to restrict vandal access.
- Add or improve lighting to promote natural surveillance.
- Use fences, controlled entrance/exits or other barriers to discourage through traffic.
- Limit access to walls and roofs. Move dumpsters away from walls and cover drainpipes to prevent vandals from scaling them.
You can also file a Police Report for the crime of graffiti on your property by calling 817-392-4222 or online at police.fortworthtexas.gov GAP is funded through the Crime Control and Prevention District.
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Big Bunny Weekend
The weekend before Easter is always busy. We enjoyed meeting residents who attended events at our city community centers.
Top row: Easter Bunny handed out candy, Dot Kent gave prizes for safety answers, NPO Starratt and NPO Rodriguez helped little egg hunters at Diamond Hill Community Center. Bottom row: Sgt. Bohlin and friends posed for a photo, NPO Briseño helped with the egg hunts then took a cascarone (confetti-filled egg) to the head while United Lowriders showed off their cars at Northside Community Center.
Car Wash Grand Opening
Lt. James Hill is usually the tallest guy in the room, but not when these stilt walkers showed up at the new QT Bubble Bath Car Wash grand opening at 2525 NE 28th St. It’s the first Bubble Bath location in Fort Worth with more to come.
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Spring Break Meals
When FWISD opened cafeterias to serve free meals for children during Spring Break, our NPOs provided extra patrols. They also went inside to say hello. NPO Oscar Moncada shared info about FWPD’s Cadet program at Diamond Hill Elementary, and at Manuel Jara Elementary NPO Maggie Skelton handed out stickers and encouraged kids to stay in school.
Girl Power
Texas Forge Taekwondo invited NPO Skelton to speak to girls in its mentorship program, as part of Women’s History Month. Officer Skelton visited the family-owned martial arts school, located at 1511 NW 25th St., to talk about courage. Texas Forge Taekwondo focuses on promoting strong character as well as strong bodies.
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Grumpy Monkey
Sgt. David Jimenez read to children at Rufino Mendoza Elementary School as part of its Launching Legacy Leaders & Responsible Readers program. His book of choice—Grumpy Monkey by American author Suzanne Lang—was a big hit!
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Dr. Seuss Day
Diamond Hill Community Center partnered with Texas Wesleyan University to encourage children to read. After reading together outdoors, children got to choose a book to take home and keep.
Literacy Roundup is a City of Fort Worth initiative in partnership with Go Beyond Grades and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation that provides FREE literacy screenings for youth and resources for parents and caretakers. In northwest Fort Worth, literacy screenings are available at Diamond Hill-Jarvis and Northside Public Libraries. Make an appointment now. Screenings also will be available this summer for participants at two northwest Camp Fort Worth locations: Betsy Price Community Center and Northside Community Center.
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Stockyards Safety Update
Commander Molina joined Police Chief Garcia and District 2 Councilmember Carlos Flores recently to present updates on pedestrian safety projects in the Stockyards. In March, the city began construction at the corner of N. Main and 24th Streets to install a traffic signal that includes pedestrian signals. When completed in June, the intersection will have a left turn lane onto 24th Street. A second project calls for installing fixed and retractable traffic bollards on Exchange Avenue between N. Main and Packers Avenue to enhance safety during public events.
Tasty Get-Together
Historic Northside District’s Corridor Cafecito met last month at Espinoza Produce, 1236 N Commerce St. Owner Hugo Espinoza provided coffee and fresh fruit, as well as an overview of his distribution and catering services. Next month’s meeting is 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 7. Check Facebook for the location.
Business owners, neighbors, partners and friends of the district are welcome to share their updates and hear what’s happening along the North Main Street corridor.
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Remington Point HOA
NPO Robert Herrera congratulated Remington Point HOA on their current crime report but reminded residents that warmer weather generally brings more criminal activity. He urged residents not to leave items in their vehicles overnight and to lock the doors every time to prevent theft.
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We want all residents to report suspicious activity and crimes in progress by calling 911. But the police department’s Citizens on Patrol (COP) program takes reporting to the next level. C-O-Ps, as we call them, receive background checks and special training to report criminal activity. They actively patrol their neighborhoods and report observations to the Fort Worth Police Department. They wear identifying shirts or jackets, use police radios, place signage on their personal vehicles and are reimbursed for fuel.
COPs get ongoing training throughout the year and may work directly with officers on special details, such as patrolling parking lots during the holidays, streets around schools or areas where a crime wave has been identified. In short, Citizens on Patrol are trained to be an extra set of eyes and ears for police. Interested? Email Northwest Division COP coordinator Jessica Vazquez, ask questions and let her send you an application. Don’t wait—the next COP training is Saturday, May 9.
We're Recruiting!
Look for the Citizens on Patrol exhibit table at community events. We'd love to tell you more about what we do to help police keep our neighborhoods safe.
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FWPD Command Changes
Police Chief Eddie Garcia recently announced two promotions that affect Northwest Division. As Assistant Chief, Stephanie Ricks now oversees the FWPD Patrol Bureau. She’s been with the department since 2007.
Sean Kenjura is now Deputy Chief over North Command, which includes North, Northwest, West and Traffic Divisions. He joined the department in 1998.
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In announcing the promotions, Chief Garcia said both have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to our mission. “I am confident they will continue to serve this department and our community with distinction in their new roles,” Garcia said.
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NW Police Headquarters Update
Brick and stone are being laid on the exterior of our new Northwest Division headquarters building, under construction at 3900 Angle Ave. Inside, interior walls are going in and crews are hanging drywall. In our latest update photo you can start to see the welcoming “front porch” design take shape.
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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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