This year’s annual appreciation luncheon for COP volunteers also recognized their dedication to service, safety and partnership with the City of Fort Worth Police Department since 1991.In 2025, nearly 300 COP volunteers provided 53,000 hours of patrols and other service citywide. Deputy Chief Buck Wheeler noted that’s more than $1.8 million in value to the city. Each police division recognized its COP of the Year. Among 32 active Citizens on Patrol  in Northwest Division, Sue Anderson was named top COP with 547 hours of service in 2025.

Want to Know More?

The next Citizens on Patrol training class is Saturday, May 9. Email Northwest Division COP coordinator Jessica Vazquez, as soon as possible so she can send you an application.

And see more Northwest Division COP activities later in this newsletter.

The City of Fort Worth kicks off a communications campaign this month aimed at educating residents about the dangers and consequences of illegal gunfire. Police Chief Eddie Garcia recently highlighted a rise in arrests and noted that the average age of suspects is between 16 and 23 years old. While incidents often increase around holidays such as Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and major sporting events, Garcia said the issue affects residents throughout the year and is a serious public safety concern.

The campaign to reduce stray bullet incidents will focus on increasing awareness of risks and consequences. The penalty under Texas Law is a $4,000 fine and up to a year in jail but can increase if anything or anyone is hit by a bullet. There will be targeted outreach in high-incident areas, social media posts to reach young people and partnerships with school districts to educate students and parents. Expanded communication will lead up to major holidays, and all residents are encouraged to call 911 when they hear gunshots.

Street Racing Update

From January through March 2026, the Fort Worth Police Department documented about 795 calls for service classified under “hot-rodding,” a broad category that includes reckless driving, street racing and potential takeover activity. The total shows a pattern of risky driving throughout the city, but only 18 of these incidents were specifically linked to organized street racing or parking lot takeovers.

More than 1,000 calls were reported in a similar period in late 2022 to early 2023, indicating these dangerous activities have declined. In a recent report to City Council, Deputy Chief Sean Kenjura credited FWPD’s multifaceted approach focused on prevention, coordination and enforcement. Key efforts include:

• Enhanced intelligence-sharing with regional law enforcement.
• Improved coordination across patrol divisions.
• Targeted responses to identified events.
• Collaboration with city departments to implement environmental deterrents, such as traffic-calming measures and intersection modifications.

Illegal street racing and takeovers typically involve large groups gathering to perform dangerous vehicle maneuvers, including racing, burnouts and blocking intersections. Recently, a shift from publicly visible online posts to private communication channels has made detection and prevention more difficult. If you come across online posts for such activity or events in progress, please call 911.

Fake Tickets Sales  Scammers create websites and social media profiles to sell fake sports or concert tickets. Before you send money or enter personal identification, verify that the website has a secure connection by looking for https:// in the URL. The "s" means secure.

Travel Scams  Scammers may create fake travel listings, like bogus vacation rentals, to trick you into sending money. Also, avoid using public USB charging stations which  can be used to install malware on your device.

Toll Scams  Scammers send fake notifications saying you owe a toll. They're trying to steal your information, so avoid clicking any links and delete the message.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to the Federal Trade Commission. They also offer clear steps for protecting yourself from identity theft.

Don’t Forget to Vote!

The City of Fort Worth is asking voters to approve an  $845 million bond proposal on Saturday, May 2. Residents will vote on six propositions, including monies for streets, parks and open space, libraries, affordable housing, emergency communications and animal services. There are also nine proposed amendments to the city charter on the ballot.

Among the bond proposals are several projects in north Fort Worth:

- Construction of a new four-lane divided roadway on part of E. Bailey Boswell Road.

- Construction or reconstruction of 17 street sections in Council District 2 that are in poor condition.

- $2.9 million in renovations to Diamond Hill/Jarvis Library, which opened in 1989.

Keeping kids busy in the summer is important for their physical, social and educational growth. It also keeps them safe and out of trouble. The City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department offers free and low-cost summer camps for children 5-12 years old, through its community centers and mobile rec programs. Plus, teens ages 13-18 can sign up for the Rec Leader in Training Program to gain job skills. For details, see ads at the end of this newsletter, visit the Summer Camp webpage or contact a city community center near you!

School will be out soon, so let’s celebrate and learn how to stay safe this summer! Join Northwest Division Police for a Summer Kick-off Party 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at Northside Community Center, 1100 NW 18th St. It’s all free, thanks to our sponsor Texas Health Resources and other donors. The children’s area will have games, prizes, arts and crafts. Health screenings will be free, including eye exams, cholesterol, lipid, A1C, PSA prostate, mammogram and well-woman exams. 

In fact, save time by making a mammogram appointment. Scan the QR code or call 855-318-7696. We'll also have First Aid demonstrations for choking and CPR, plus free info and giveaways from more than 30 health and safety exhibitors. The first 100 youth get free helmets at our Bike Rodeo. Kids will love the Touch-a-Truck area with police cars, SWAT Bearcat, fire engine and more. Parents can pick up take-home child I.D. kits. Free pet chipping and grooming tips, plus food and snow cones!

Officer for the Day

St. Andrew Catholic School offered something new to raise funds during its annual dinner and auction. In addition to Principal for the Day and Teacher for the Day, this year they auctioned an opportunity to be Police Officer for the Day. The winning student got to wear a police cap, vest, custom name tag and toy gear that had him looking just like his partner Officer Jennifer Starratt. After speaking over the school radio, he got to see a police car up close!

Cookies with Cops

Sabine Place Apartments resident service coordinator Derralyn Roberts invited us to this well-publicized event that had a great turnout. Officer Starratt greeted children and gave them a hacky sack ball and police badge sticker. We also enjoyed talking with parents and teens about who to call for help and how to report street light outages, potholes and other safety concerns to the city.

Packed Agenda

At its April meeting, Northside Neighborhood Association covered updates on major projects in the neighborhood as well as several upcoming community events. NPO Briseño gave the crime report. This group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Northside Community Center. If you can’t make it in person, attend online via their Facebook page. 

Grand Opening

Northwest Division officers were among the first customers through the doors of a new QuikTrip Travel Center at 2529 Meacham Blvd. They were invited to help celebrate the store’s grand opening. After meeting managers, officers took time to tour the store, connect with staff and discuss public safety, crime prevention and ways to work together to keep the location safe for employees and customers. These conversations are an important part of building strong partnerships and ensuring a safe environment from day one.

Mark IV Annual Meeting

The Mark IV Business Association meets only once a year, but members stay connected via email throughout the year. At its April meeting, the group got updates on area improvements and common concerns. District 2 Councilmember Carlos Flores reported on road projects and the May 2 bond election. NPO Jennifer Starratt and Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent answered questions about trespassing, speeding and metal theft. If your business is in the Mark IV boundaries, please contact an association officer to join.

Into the West

Historic Northside District members gathered last month at Western furniture store Into the West, 1410 N Main St. Owner Natalie McDonald shared the history of the building, which dates to 1904 as a bank (with a brothel upstairs!) and how she and husband Jack lovingly restored the building after purchasing it in 2016. Visit Into the West online, or see their jaw-dropping collection in person. Historic Northside District’s next Cafecito is 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 5 at Byblos Mediterranean Restaurant and Hookah Bar, 1406 N Main St. Neighbors and businesses are welcome for coffee, conversation and updates on projects in the North Main corridor.

Northwest Welcomes New Lieutenant

David Jimenez is the newest Lieutenant for Northwest Division. He’s been with FWPD for 13 years and has worked in Narcotics, Criminal Investigations as a Detective and Directed Response Unit as a Sergeant. “I like working with the community to build a safer environment,” Jimenez said, “but I also enjoy identifying, finding and arresting violent felons.”

Officer Massey Recognized

Northwest NPO Kirk Massey was recognized by the Fort Worth Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association in April. The group cited Massey’s dedication, professionalism and strong commitment to the community in naming him Police Officer of the Month. Massey has served FWPD for 25 years, beginning his career in Patrol at NPD3 (Deep North), later serving in Central and eventually moving to Northwest Division where he serves as Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPO). 

Knowing the Signs

Northwest Citizens on Patrol (COP) volunteers heard from FWPD’s Human Trafficking Unit last month. Program coordinator Felicia Tallent explained what human trafficking is and how to recognize it. The unit is responsible for investigating suspected human trafficking activity, including internet crimes against children, identifying and recovering victims, and supporting public awareness and prevention efforts.

New COP Member

Also last month, Northwest Division COP coordinator Jessica Vazquez welcomed our newest COP member, Teresa Wright. She’s already helping on patrols in her neighborhood.