HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10528 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10528
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 15, 2020
Page 1 of 2
i
i7 Y
SUBJECT: POLICE RESPONSE TO VIOLENT CRIME
rFrn
Yg7'3
On October 20, 2020, Police Chief Ed Kraus presented the third quarter violent crime update at
the Council Work Session. Chief Kraus pointed out significant increases in homicides and
aggravated assaults compared to the prior year. This is a similar trend to other major and mid-
sized cities across the nation. Factors contributing to these increases include Covid-19 pandemic
dynamics such as stay-at-home orders, increased unemployment, the economic downturn, and
closings of social venues, schools and after school programs. Additionally, this year has been
marked with considerable unrest regarding social justice issues and a contentious general
election.
Police resources have been stretched thin this year, with the Department staffing officers at
testing sites, quarantine sites, and the Fort Worth Convention Center while it was used as a
homeless shelter. Additionally, officers were reassigned from their regular duties to monitor and
provide security for dozens of social justice marches and gatherings. Another hindrance is the
direct impact of Covid-19 on Departmental staffing. As recently as November 16t", ten percent of
the available workforce was out with either positive test results (59 officers) or isolating due to
exposure to Covid-19 (120 officers).
In the midst of these challenges, the Fort Worth Police Department has employed several efforts
to combat the increase in homicides and aggravated assaults. Staff have been reassigned to
bolster the Homicide unit to ensure those cases are worked thoroughly and rapidly to reduce the
likelihood of retaliatory violence. We are also working to staff the Domestic Violence unit with
additional investigators to reduce the opportunity for continuing intimate partner violence.
The Department conducted a citywide violent crime detail from May through October. Officers
were detailed to areas where violent crime was most prevalent, with specific focus on gun crime.
This detail resulted in 480 arrests, over than 100 firearms taken off the streets, and more than
343,000 grams of illegal narcotics seized. In November, the Special Response Teams were
returned to their assigned patrol divisions to address crime trends specific to those geographic
areas. SWAT and the Criminal Tracking Unit are assisting Gang and Narcotics units as they
identify and target the most prolific violent offenders across the City.
The Patrol divisions employ various strategies to deter violent crime, including deployment of
bicycle and Mounted units, the mobile storefronts, and Skywatch towers. They also conduct
special details to address robberies and assaults in hot spot areas, work with Vice to close down
illegal game rooms, pursue nuisance abatements of problem locations, and restrict officers to
high crime beats when call load allows.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10528
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 15, 2020
Page 2 of 2
i
i7 Y
SUBJECT: POLICE RESPONSE TO VIOLENT CRIME
r6 rn
Yg7'3
Additionally, both specialized units and patrol groups partner with the Real Time Crime Center to
monitor cameras and license plate readers in areas of high violent crime, which has resulted in
several significant arrests and investigative leads.
Finally, an increased CCPD budget has allowed VIP FW to add additional Violence Interrupters in
the community. The goal of this group is to prevent violent crime by intervening with individuals
when they become aware of escalating tensions that may lead to violence.
Should you have any questions regarding the Police Response to Violent Crime, please contact
Chief Ed Kraus at edwin.kraus(a)fortworthtexas.gov or 817-392-4213.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS