National Night Out is Tuesday, Oct. 6, and Northwest Police Division’s dance card is full! We look forward to dropping by your NNO party to say hello and hand out junior police badge stickers to the kids. Below are some last-minute tips for a great event. We can’t wait to see you on Oct. 6!

- Put out yard signs, put up flyers and send email or text reminders a few days before and again on Oct. 6, so everyone remembers to come.

- Have a sign-in sheet to collect phone numbers or email addresses to share, so neighbors can communicate after the party.

- Take plenty of photos and send us one! We’d love to publish one photo from each NNO party in our November newsletter.

- Important: If your start or end time has changed since you registered, please email Crime Prevention Specialist Dot Kent: dot.kent@fortworthtexas.gov

We’ve noticed a few more home burglaries since school started back in session. Fewer people at home can be attractive to thieves. Before you leave for the day,  make sure all windows and doors are locked, your garage door closes completely and never hide keys under doormats, flowerpots or fake rocks! Also, trim shrubs and low tree branches so neighbors and passersby have a clear view of your home’s doors and windows.

Business burglaries generally happen at night, especially theft of copper wiring and tools. Illuminate entries, parking lots, alleys, storage areas and roof access points. Check your property regularly to make sure exterior lights are working and replace bulbs promptly. Do not leave tools, toolboxes or portable equipment in view. Video cameras are a deterrent. Reach out to your Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPO) for advice on best placement of cameras.

Recent cases of children getting access to guns underscore the importance of keeping weapons secured at home and in your vehicle. In one case, a five-year-old girl shot and killed herself with an unsecured gun. In a separate incident 15 minutes earlier, a child between the ages of 10 and 11 shot themself in the hand with a gun.

"If you don't have a gun lock, we’ll give you one," said Northwest Police Division Commander Randy Molina. "It’s free and may save a life.”  Anyone may pick up a gun lock at our Northwest sector, 4651 N. Main St., Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The locks work for nearly every type of gun, including pistols and rifles. Get more gun safety tips at Project Childsafe.

Health insurance scams are more prevalent, leading up to the Nov. 1 Open Enrollment for Medicare and the Marketplace. If you’re looking online to find a new plan, remember bad actors often use web addresses that look like government website addresses. They also use keywords and official-looking logos to make you think you’re on the real Healthcare.gov or Medicare.gov when you’re not. If you use the link or phone number in their ad, you could end up paying for a scam that’s not health insurance or expose yourself to medical identity theft. 

The best way to avoid health insurance scams as you search for options is to type the name of the website directly into your browser. For Medicare, it’s Medicare.gov, or call 800-633-4227. To compare health insurance plans, check your coverage or find out if you qualify for savings, go to HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-2596.

Police Chief Eddie Garcia issued the Fort Worth Police Department’s FY2027-2031 Strategic Plan last month, writing that it “serves as our roadmap for the future and reflects our continued commitment to making Fort Worth the safest major city in the nation.”

The plan includes six strategic priorities: organization, culture, communication, crime reduction, community policing and infrastructure.

“The goals and objectives outlined in this Strategic Plan will guide our actions through 2031, but our mission remains unchanged: to serve with integrity, protect our community and work collaboratively to create a safer future for all,” Garcia wrote. You can read FWPD’s Strategic Plan online.

Among other findings, the study showed 31% of intersection crashes involved a vehicle turning left. “What the data shows is that the fixes are not always mysterious,” said Travis Patterson, managing partner of Patterson Law Group. “Restricting that turn to the green arrow takes the guesswork out. Where half the crashes happen after dark, lighting and signal visibility are the first things to check. We hope to work with the City of Fort Worth, TxDOT and the North Texas Tollway Authority to fix what is wrong at these intersections.” The law firm has more findings plus an interactive map of the top 10 most dangerous intersections on its webpage.

You can stay up to date on traffic changes related to ongoing Boat Club Road waterline construction by bookmarking this city webpage. City of Fort Worth Water Department is expanding Eagle Mountain Water Treatment Plant to meet growing demand, and the project includes installation of a new eight-mile, 54-inch water line. Completion of the four-phase project is planned in December 2028. At the bottom of the webpage, you can click “Subscribe to this Page” to be notified of upcoming road and lane closures.

Even if you’ve been registered for years, this year it’s important to check your voter registration status. October 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election.

The Texas Secretary of State has suspended about 1.2 million people from voter rolls because local election officials believe they may no longer live at the address they’re registered under. Are you one of them?

Check with local election officials to find out. In Tarrant County, here’s the Voter Lookup link. After typing in your info, you should see “Voter Status: Active.” If not, contact the Tarrant County Elections Administration as soon as possible at 817-831-8683.

Earn a Golden Lasso

Businesses throughout the city are learning how to apply for Golden Lasso certification, the Fort Worth program aimed at improving practices of businesses that hold a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission license. At a meeting last month at SpringHill Suites, the City’s Kimberly Tyler told Stockyards business leaders how the program works. She also reminded managers and owners that the city offers classes on how to spot a fake ID, identify substance abuse, how and when to use Narcan and more. Want to learn how your business can be recognized with a Golden Lasso? Visit the webpage.

Active Shooter Training

Northwest Officers Zenteno, Moreno and Lamb presented a civilian response course to employees of healthcare technology company Omnicell. The course teaches survival strategies for active shooter and other life-threatening scenarios. If your business would like to schedule active shooter training, contact your Neighborhood Patrol Officer, listed at the end of this newsletter.

Historic Northside District

Last month’s Corridor Cafecito get-together moved to late afternoon at Artes de la Rosa, to accommodate members who don’t get to attend regular 10 a.m. first Tuesday meetings. The monthly Historic Northside District meetings allow business owners, neighbors, community partners and friends of the district to share updates about what’s happening in the North Main Street corridor between downtown and the Stockyards.

Never Too Young

Pre-K and Kindergarten classes at Parkview Elementary School got a visit from NPO Robert Herrera to learn about crosswalks and police work. We love these opportunities to make a positive impression, and the kids love climbing through the back of a police car.

Far Greater Northside Historical NA

NPO Kirk Massey reminded residents of Far Greater Northside Historical Neighborhood Association to lock their car doors to prevent theft. At its meeting last month, the association announced it’s planning a Home Resource Fair 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at North Tri-Ethnic Community Center. All are welcome to attend and learn about city and private programs that help with home safety, security, permitting for home improvements, water and energy conservation and more!

Noche de Horchata

Northside Community neighbors gathered last month at MD Party Creations, 2614 Azle Ave., to hear updates and plan future projects. Arnoldo Hurtado updated neighbors on the group’s “Beyond the Stockyards” campaign that supports area small businesses. He also announced the 6^th edition of their bilingual Northside Community magazine, available in September to 8,000 homes and businesses in north Fort Worth. The group is also researching and planning how to preserve and care for its popular Mariachi mural, created in 2018 with students from Northside High School. Acuña’s Aguas Frescas provided delicious horchata!

Beyond the Badge

One of several community policing initiatives of the Fort Worth Police Department is a group called Beyond the Badge. It brings community leaders, nonprofits and police together, usually on the first Tuesday of the month, to talk about solutions to community challenges such as homelessness, poverty, substance abuse and public safety. If you’d like to join the conversation and be notified of monthly meetings, email Tracy.Carter@fortworthtexas.gov

30 Years… and Counting

It’s not often you work with someone who’s been with the same organization for 30 years! Last month, we celebrated Sgt. Bonnie Kenjura’s 30 years with the Fort Worth Police Department. Co-workers, friends and family dropped in for lunch. Sgt. Kenjura has served in the department’s Intel Section, as a Criminal Investigative Unit Detective, Directed Response Unit, Mounted Patrol, North and Northwest Patrol and Northwest NPO… all before her current position as Administrative Sergeant for Northwest Patrol.

NW Promotions Announced

After much reading and studying, five Northwest Division officers were promoted last month. Jesus Garcia, Sean McMorrow and Jonathan Martinez promoted to Sergeant. Cory Needham and Joel Torres promoted to detective/corporal. Family members and fellow officers attended their promotional ceremony Sept. 16.

We’re Hiring!

The City of Fort Worth Police Department is accepting applications for police trainees. If you or someone you know is ready to begin their journey in law enforcement, apply now! Fort Worth Police Trainees earn a salary while training at the Police Academy. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Oct. 11.

9-11 Remembered

Members of the Police and Clergy Coalition (far right) prayed with officers before a fellowship meal at Northwest Division headquarters on September 11. The scene was repeated three times, for each patrol shift, so all officers who wanted to could participate.

Citizens on Patrol

In September, Northwest Citizens on Patrol members heard NPO crime reports and a presentation from the Police Department’s Victims Assistance Section. The unit advises crime victims of their rights and assists them with referrals and filing Crime Victim’s Compensation claims.

COP volunteers usually meet on the first Tuesday of the month at our division headquarters on North Main Street. In October, however, they’ll be out in the community helping with  National Night Out events.