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August 2026
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Schools will be back in session soon, so it’s time to get back in the habit of watching your speed. Northwest Police Division reminds you the speed limit in all school zones is 20 mph and cell phone use is prohibited—both texting and talking—while driving in a school zone.
Stop for school buses that are loading and unloading, do not pass other vehicles or make U-turns in school zones and stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
Mark your calendar for the following back-to-school dates and plan to leave a little early so you can take it slow in school zones.
August 10: Fort Worth ISD
August 11: Lake Worth ISD
August 12: Northwest ISD
August 13: Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw, Castleberry, White Settlement ISDs
Several Fort Worth crosswalks now have pedestrian hybrid beacons for safety. See how to use them below.
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Once again in July, burglaries of vehicles were frequent but preventable in northwest Fort Worth. Officers responded to multiple reports of thefts from unlocked cars and trucks, as well as a break-in where valuables were left in view:
- Multiple thefts from unlocked vehicles: wallet, driver’s license, Social Security card, debit and credit cards, jewelry and change stolen.
- Victim left vehicle unlocked and suspect took gun from console.
- Victim’s vehicle stolen after suspect located spare key inside vehicle.
- Truck stolen along with wallet and phone left inside with engine running.
- Bank bag with significant cash stolen from unlocked truck.
- Vehicle broken into and purse taken from front seat.
Please: don’t leave valuables inside your vehicle and lock your vehicle every time. In addition, several thefts from construction sites and storage yards involved suspects cutting locks and fences where tools and supplies were stored. Businesses and contractors are urged to store materials out of sight and make sure properties are well lit at night.
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Our thanks to residents who helped us respond quickly by reporting illegal gunfire and fireworks over the 4th of July weekend. Patrol officers confiscated multiple illegal firearms and drugs, while firefighters responded to 166 grass fires and multiple outdoor, residential and commercial fires, plus five burn injuries.
Fort Worth police investigators also shut down an illegal fireworks operation after receiving information about fireworks advertised for sale on social media. With assistance from the Fort Worth Fire Department Bomb and Arson Unit, officers confiscated a large quantity of fireworks allegedly intended for illegal sale and distribution within the city. Please continue to report illegal gunfire by calling 911. Report illegal fireworks by calling 817-392-4444, using the MyFW app or filing an online report.
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One of the best ways to spot a scammer is how they ask you to pay them. If someone says the only way to pay is by bank transfer, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment app or gift card, chances are it’s a scam.
The Federal Trade Commission says people lost the most — more than $4 billion in all — to scams paid with bank transfers and cryptocurrency. Many losses were to scammers impersonating a government agency or well-known business.
While scam details and how they contact you may change, scammers always ask you to pay in ways that make it difficult to get your money back.
- Don’t send money to anyone who says you can only pay with a specific payment method, no matter what reason they give you.
- Pay by credit card when possible. Credit cards offer more protections and give you the option to dispute charges.
- Search online for the name of the company or person and words like “scam” or “complaint.” See what other people are saying.
If you paid a scammer, contact the company you used to send money right away. Tell them it was fraud and ask if they can stop or reverse the transaction and give you your money back. Get more advice at ftc.gov/scams.
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National Night Out (NNO) will be here before you know it! Start planning now for this annual celebration aimed at creating safer neighborhoods. NNO block parties help residents get to know their neighbors and the officers who patrol their neighborhoods.
Hosting a National Night Out event doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Once you decide the time, location and details, simply invite your neighbors to join you. Typical NNO activities include food or treats for the kids. When you register your event with the Fort Worth Police Department, we’ll provide some goodies to hand out (while supplies last) and do our best to stop by on Oct. 6. Knowing your neighbors and police officers is one of the most effective crime prevention tools there is, so get planning! Questions? Email Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent.
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Back-to-School Supplies
Thanks to all who donated school supplies for children in need and invited us to help distribute them. We enjoyed reminding children to use those crosswalks and look both ways. But nothing puts a smile on their face like a new backpack and supplies!
Top row: The United Lowrider Council’s Back-to-School Party offered snacks, free haircuts by Riverside Barber & Beauty Institute students, backpacks, supplies and passes to Marine Park Pool. Bottom: Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPO) Jennifer Starratt talked with parents and gave children school supplies at The Residences of Diamond Hill Back-to-School Bash.
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NICA Summer Fest
The Northside Inter-Community Agency (NICA) drew community members of all ages for its late-July Summer Fest. At our crime prevention table, children gave our safety wheel a spin and earned prizes for answering correctly. Officer Tony Vasquez also rewarded them with police badge stickers.
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UCC Wesley Campus
There were lots of questions asked when officers visited the United Community Centers Wesley Campus last month. One student asked how long officers had served. NPO Maggie Skelton got a round of applause when she answered “20 years.” There was more applause when two rookies, Officers Emmanuel Reyes and Cale Brengle, told students it was their first day on the job! After graduating, rookies are paired with senior officers for additional weeks of field training.
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Food Pantry
Officer Brengle also assisted in bagging and toting food to seniors’ cars during the Senior Share produce distribution at Diamond Hill Community Center. It’s every third Thursday of the month, 10 a.m. to noon, at 1700 NE 37th St. and volunteers are always needed to help seniors carry groceries to their cars.
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Summer Safety
We wrapped up our summer safety lessons at Diamond Hill Community Center, confident that summer campers know their stuff when it comes to crosswalks, bullying and strangers. Campers demonstrated their knowledge as NPO Skelton asked safety questions and NPO Starratt gave prizes for correct answers.
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Reserve at Quebec
Children learned what to do in an emergency, then colored pictures in coloring books provided by the National Child Safety Council. We invite apartment managers and resident service coordinators to contact Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent to request free safety presentations for children or adults.
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Tip-a-Cop Fundraiser
NPO Zach Briseño was among officers who traded their badges for aprons for one night, to raise funds for Special Olympics. Fort Worth Police officers volunteered their time waiting tables for tips, alongside Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics athletes. Our thanks to Texas Roadhouse for hosting, and to everyone who came out and tipped! Every donation gives special athletes opportunities to compete, grow and achieve their dreams.
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Safety Fair
NPO Briseño also answered residents’ questions about gun safety and how to report illegal gunfire, as we gave out free gunlocks to adults and fun prizes for kids at a Safety Fair hosted by Walmart, 2245 Jacksboro Highway. Each year, Walmart holds an event to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network which supports Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.
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New HQ Update
Interior floor and wall tiles have been laid, and cabinetry is being installed at our new Northwest Police Division headquarters under construction at 3900 Angle Ave. We anticipate being able to move sometime in late September, weather permitting.
Clockwise from top left: Cabinetry awaits countertop installation. Ceiling grids will support acoustic tiles. The front entry will be landscaped when finished. Lighting and fencing are up in the back parking lot. Clerestory windows provide natural light. Indoor stone finishes echo the building’s exterior façade. Nearly finished sinks and showers for officers.
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Citizens on Patrol
Northwest Citizens on Patrol members (COPs) attended an especially interesting July meeting. COPs welcomed guest speaker Nissa Muhammad with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, who shared resources for helping families, vulnerable adults and children in our community.
Longtime COP volunteers Sue Anderson and Harry Diaz received certificates from Northwest Commander Randy Molina, recognizing them for reporting an abandoned vehicle. Thanks to their quick action, officers determined the vehicle was used in a crime committed earlier that day and were able to confiscate the car for evidence.
Wrapping up the meeting was a surprise visit from Code Blue Capt. Brent Halford, who brought a baby zebra he’s raising on his ranch. For information about joining Citizens on Patrol, email coordinator Jessica Vazquez.
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Citizens Police Academy
A total of 58 community members graduated FWPD's most recent Spanish-language Citizens Police Academy, after completing a multi-week course. The citizens academy, also offered in English, gives participants an in-depth look at police department operations, training, criminal investigations and the work of other city departments. The course is held on Tuesdays in English and Wednesdays in Spanish from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn more and fill out an application online.
Clockwise from upper left: NPO Dustin Lamb shared about his experience rescuing someone from a burning vehicle, as Officer Daniel Segura translated. NPO Ricardo De Los Santos congratulates a graduate as Commander Molina looks on. Big class photo after graduation!
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Keep These Numbers Handy
9-1-1 for active crime, traffic hazard, fire, medical need.
817-392-4222 to file a non-emergency police report.
3-1-1 or 817-392-1234 for potholes, streetlights out and other City of Fort Worth service requests.
9-8-8 is the Suicide Crisis Hotline. Call 2-1-1 for social service resources.
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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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