In an effort to bolster public safety, Fort Worth has allocated funding in the Fiscal Year 2025 Crime Control & Prevention District budget for new bike patrols in two bustling entertainment districts.
The Magnolia Street bike team will consist of two officers dedicated to the southside area, which has seen a rise in restaurant, retail, and nightlife activities. The budget allocates $413,418 for personnel and equipment, with patrols scheduled during peak business hours. This flexible approach allows officers to respond effectively to crime trends and times with increased service calls.
Similarly, the Stockyards area on the Northside will also benefit from a two-member bike patrol team, also funded at $413,418 for personnel and equipment.
These bike patrols aim to increase police visibility and presence in both districts. Officers will respond to calls for service, address any observed violations, and fulfill requests for extra patrols in specific locations as needed.
In preparation for the budget update, bike patrols commenced in the Magnolia/Hemphill area about four weeks ago. Feedback from community members and business owners has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting a reduction in issues since the bike officers began their patrols.
Residents can reach bike officers by calling 911 for emergencies or contacting a neighborhood police officer for nonemergency inquiries.
Fort Worth’s other entertainment districts, including West 7th and Downtown, already have established bike units patrolling the areas.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the new bike patrols, the Police Department will analyze crime statistics and public complaints in the targeted districts. Neighborhood police officers will also engage with the business community to gauge their satisfaction and sense of safety.
The Crime Control & Prevention District (CCPD) fund supplements the Fort Worth Police Department's budget to combat and prevent crime. Established by voter approval in 1995, the CCPD receives a half-cent of the city's sales tax. In 2020, voters renewed the district for another ten years. The current CCPD budget totals $127.5 million, which, when combined with the Police Department’s General Fund budget of $335.7 million, provides a total of $461.8 million dedicated to ensuring the safety of Fort Worth residents.