An initiative launched a year ago to reduce violent crime in Fort Worth has exceeded its goal, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.
In April 2022, police said the Crime Control and Prevention District-funded #FortWorthSafe could decrease violent crime citywide by 10% within 12 months. Focus was placed on homicides, aggravated assaults and robberies.
After a year, the number of violent crimes dropped by nearly 700 incidents, or 13.4%, said Assistant Police Chief Robert Alldredge. In all, 4,344 violent crimes were reported in 2022, down from 5,014 the previous year.
Reaching the goal: Numbers were lowered by using neighborhood cameras that are monitored in the Real Time Crime Center, working with City departments to improve blight and quality of life issues in some of the higher crime neighborhoods, and improving police-community relations, among other things.
By the numbers
- Aggravated assault-family violence numbers dropped 28%, from 1,426 to 1,027.
- Homicides dropped 24.5%, from 102 to 77.
- Nonfatal shootings dropped 23.9%, from 380 to 289.
- Business robberies dropped 10.4%, from 202 to 181, but robberies of individuals rose 1.5%.
- Firearm discharges dropped 13.5%, from 341 to 295.
Police also focused on taking guns away from dangerous people, which resulted in 518 guns seized and 40 stolen guns recovered, Alldredge said.
“Whenever they’re in their hands, bad things happen. The more we can take off the street, the more impact we can have in the community,” he said.
What they’re saying
Mayor Mattie Parker called the reduction encouraging. “We really applaud you for all your hard work and the entire department. They’re working very hard.”
District 2 Councilmember Carlos Flores added: “It was a significant reduction. I’m appreciative of that.”
