HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8112 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8112
February 24, 1998
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
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Subject:
1873 Police Mobile Storefronts
The original two police mobile storefronts were realized through donations from a number of
sources, including the Sid Richardson Foundation, Omni American Federal Credit Union,
Southwestern Bell Telephone, Meadows Foundation, Amon Carter Foundation, Burlington
Northern Railroad and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation (M&C G-10134, April 20, 1993).
These funds were combined with rnordes from awarded assets to purchase two recreational
vehicles and outfit them as mobile storefronts.
Almost immediately upon finishing the modifications to the vehicles and placing them in service,
they were called into use in neighborhoods that were the site of gang violence, specifically drive-
by shooting where children and infants were involved. One was placed in the Stop Six
neighborhood and the other in Corno, and combined with a zero tolerance operation, the gang
violence was abated and the fear of crime reduced. The mobile storefronts were such a calming
and welcome presence in the assigned areas that residents frequently visited with the officers
staffing the storefront and brought them food.
At the time of deployment of the mobile storefronts the police department had two Field
Operations Bureaus with four Field Operations Divisions. One mobile storefront was assigned to
each Field Operations Bureau and the Field Operations Divisions rotated the use of them. They
have been used for a myriad of purposes including:
❑ Anti-crime fairs held throughout the city
❑ At outdoor public events, including concerts, meetings, picnics, etc.
❑ Neighborhood block parties
❑ As a command post during holiday activities, including Halloween and the Fourth of July
❑ During National Night Outfestivities
❑ As an aid in holding mobile community meetings
❑ Conducting Citizens on Patrol recruitment efforts
❑ Participation in community parades
❑ Brought to area schools for visitation and tours
❑ Deployment in high crirne areas and areas experiencing drug sales, including holding roll
call ul the storefront
The mobile storefronts have proven to be highly popular with community residents, who make
many requests for their appearance at functions throughout the city. The demand became so high
that the purchase of two additional mobile storefronts was included in the fiscal year 1996/97 Fort
Worth Crime Control and Prevention District budget and two new vehicles were approved for
purchase on March 25, 1997, via M&C P-8273. Once the vehicles were delivered radios, light
bars, decals, and other items were installed by city employees. We are awaiting the building of
custom cabinets to hold personal computers which will be installed in the mobile storefront, but
the new units have been utilized in the community during this delay.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8112
TE To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 24, 1998
OF Page 2 of 2
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'exa8 Subject: Police Mobile Storefronts
The new mobile storefronts are to be deployed in the East and West Field Operations Divisions
due to the fact they have more square miles and police beats. The original units will be assigned
to the North and South Field Operations Divisions. These storefronts have experienced
considerable wear and tear, and are in need of refurbishment, *including replacement of
generators, awnings, and the installation of safety features, including audible backup warnings
and video cameras to aid in backing safely. Bids were sent to six vendors and only one vendor.
replied. The vehicles were inspected by the vendor that has the service contract and it was
estimated that it would cost approximately $13,000 to refurbish the mobile storefronts. It was
determined that interest funds from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant could be used to
pay for the work. A purchase order was released on February 10, 1998 and the vehicles have
been taken to the service facility. It is estimated the work will be completed in 4 to 6 weeks.
If additional information is desired please contact Assistant City Manager Libby Watson at 871-
6183 or Police Chief Tom Windham at 877-8385.
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS