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Home My WebLink About25-0136 - 2025-12-02 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0136 ";To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 2, 2025 0VAPage 1 of 5 SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PANHANDLING ENFORCEMENT 10� The purpose of this informal report is to provide an update on the Fort Worth Police Department's panhandling enforcement efforts. Panhandling activity remains a persistent and complex issue throughout the City of Fort Worth. While overall activity levels have remained relatively stable, specific corridors and intersections continue to generate chronic complaints from residents, businesses, and visitors. The nature of panhandling observed by patrol officers and the HOPE Team ranges from passive solicitation in high -traffic retail and transit areas to more aggressive encounters near roadway medians and parking facilities. Several factors contribute to ongoing activity, including homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, and economic instability. Seasonal fluctuations and major events also influence activity levels, often driving temporary increases in certain districts. Enforcement, prevention, and engagement approaches continue to vary by division. Higher - density areas typically rely on frequent patrol visibility and targeted enforcement operations, while suburban and residential divisions emphasize community education and referral to available outreach resources. Challenqes with Panhandlinq Enforcement High Recidivism: Many individuals cited or contacted for panhandling reengage in similar behavior due to underlying issues such as homelessness, mental health conditions, or substance use disorders. Resource Limitations: Outreach and enforcement resources are stretched thin, particularly in high -density areas with frequent calls for service. Public Perception: Community expectations for enforcement often conflict with the need for a compassionate, service -oriented approach. Legal Constraints: Constitutional protections surrounding solicitation limit the scope of enforcement and require careful coordination with legal advisors. Service Gaps: Limited availability of shelter beds, treatment options, and long-term housing solutions hinder the success of diversion and outreach efforts. Geographic Variability: Differences in population density and available services across divisions create inconsistent outcomes and response capabilities. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0136 ";T• To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 2, 2025 ZIPAA Page 2 of 5 0VA SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PANHANDLING ENFORCEMENT 10� HOPE Team Activity: 16 citations issued citywide since January 2025 for aggressive solicitation and related offenses. Sporadic enforcement details conducted across divisions, with a focus on chronic complaint areas. Arrest activity includes cases involving parole violations, interference with public duties, and outstanding warrants. The HOPE Team's role remains essential in linking law enforcement efforts with social service outreach, as well as coordinating cleanup operations in partnership with Code Enforcement and other agencies. West Division: For the month of October, West Division ran a special detail (SOF) from October 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025 and the detail ran Tuesday -Friday from 1000-1400 hours. • Target areas include: o Camp Bowie Blvd intersects Clayton Rd/Bigham Blvd o Bernie Anderson/Ridglea Ave o Bryant Irvin Rd, Home St o Hulen St and Montgomery St o Southwest Loop 820 at S Hulen St and Bryant Irvin Rd o Southwest Blvd at Bryant Irvin Rd o Overton Ridge Blvd intersects Bryant Irvin Rd, Citylake Blvd W, Chisholm Trail Pkwy, River Ranch Blvd, Rock Quarry Rd, and S Hulen St. • There were 200 calls for service.17 reports, 4 general complaint citations, 89 traffic citations, and 18 arrests (12 misdemeanors, 2 felonies, 4 warrants) North Division: For the month of October, North Division conducting two details on October 9, 2025 and October 21, 2025, from 0800-1000 and 1500-1700, both days focusing on panhandling. • Emphasis on directed patrols along Beach Street, North Tarrant Parkway, and IH-35 corridors. • 4 citations issued and 4 reports taken. • NPOs have placed at least three individuals into permanent housing through coordination with HOPE and partner agencies. • Meeting with owners and operators of businesses routinely affected by panhandlers. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0136 ";T• To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 2, 2025 ZIPAA Page 3 of 5 0VA SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PANHANDLING ENFORCEMENT • Routinely patrolling the hot spots for panhandling. • Staying in contact with local community leaders who may be hearing from citizens. Northwest Division: For the month of October and November, Northwest Division conducted multiple details from October 1, 2025 through November 2, 2025 • High concentration of encampments and narcotics -related activity along the N. Main Street corridor. • During the October/November panhandling detail, there were 20 panhandling calls, 2 criminal trespass warnings, 4 arrests, and 1 taken to the Jail Diversion Center. • During a special panhandling detail in August 2025, there were 84 hours worked, 7 arrests, 9 resource contacts, and narcotics recovered. • Chronic camp issues on N. Calhoun, N. Commerce, and Beach Street, requiring repeated clearings. • Frequent collaboration with HOPE, Code Compliance, and Parks to address persistent encampments and overdose incidents. • Northwest's issue is camp -based and drug -related, not traditional roadside panhandling. East Division: • 35 panhandling and camping violations YTD (2025), concentrated along Eastchase Corridor and Brentwood Stair. • George District continues collaboration with Central Division, focusing on Beach & 1-30 and E. Lancaster corridors. • Exploring environmental deterrence (landscaping changes) with Street Department and City partners. • East's challenge is high -visibility intersection panhandling tied to transient movement and roadway safety. South Division: For the month of October and November, South Division conducted multiple details from October 1, 2025 through November 3, 2025 ■ Targeted areas include: o McCart Ave/Sycamore School Rd o S Hulen St/Sycamore School Rd o McCart/Altamesa Blvd o Crowley Rd/Sycamore School Rd o McPherson Blvd/Summer Creek Dr ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0136 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council 0VA SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PANHANDLING ENFORCEMENT 16,E o Woodway Dr/Altamesa Blvd o Granbury Rd/S Hulen St o Hemphill St/W Seminary Dr o W Seminary Dr/McCart Ave o Multiple locations along the IH 20 corridor o Multiple locations along the IH 35 corridor December 2, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Panhandling in South Division remains limited to key traffic corridors. Continued emphasis on outreach and resource connection, supported by targeted weekly enforcement, will help maintain safety and address community concerns. Central Division: Central Division continues to experience concentrated panhandling activity primarily in the downtown corridor, Lancaster Avenue, and near freeway exits. The division's challenge remains balancing proactive enforcement with compassionate engagement strategies. Central personnel, in coordination with the HOPE Team, have conducted multiple joint operations and outreach efforts focused on chronic offenders and high -visibility areas. Central Division officers issued a total of 178 tickets related to panhandling and related violations between January 8, 2025, and September 26, 2025. Summary Analvsis • West: Business corridor and property impact issues. • North: Intersection -based, transient panhandling along high -traffic corridors. • Northwest: Encampments, narcotics activity, and repeat Code -related cleanups. • East: Intersection solicitation and high -traffic visibility; infrastructure solutions needed. • Central: Continues to face persistent panhandling issues centered around the downtown corridor, Lancaster Avenue, and freeway exits. • South: Panhandling activity remains concentrated along high -traffic corridors, particularly Seminary Drive and the 1-35 intersection. • HOPE Team: Citywide support role bridging enforcement and social service response. Each police division is confronting a unique combination of environmental, operational, and social challenges related to panhandling. Activity patterns vary widely across the city, influenced by factors such as population density, commercial development, transportation infrastructure, and the proximity of shelters and service providers. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0136 ";T To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 2, 2025 AA Page 5 of 5 0VA SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PANHANDLING ENFORCEMENT 10� These variations demonstrate that a citywide, one -size -fits -all approach is not effective. Enforcement and outreach strategies that succeed in one division may not translate well to another due to differences in geography, call volume, and available resources. Future strategies should emphasize localized, data -informed solutions that integrate enforcement, deterrence, and outreach components tailored to each division's context: ■ Targeted Enforcement: Conduct focused operations in chronic complaint areas, coordinated between patrol and the HOPE Team. Enforcement should address aggressive or unsafe behaviors, such as obstruction of roadways, interference with public duties, or threats to public safety while maintaining a balanced approach that minimizes unnecessary criminalization. Environmental Deterrence: Implement situational design measures that discourage panhandling activity through environmental modification. Examples include enhanced lighting, clear sightlines, strategic landscaping, signage that discourages direct giving, and partnership with property owners to manage high -traffic solicitation sites. These efforts reduce repeat complaints and help create safer, more predictable public spaces. Outreach Coordination: Strengthen coordination between law enforcement, the HOPE Team, and social service partners to ensure timely response and connection to available resources. Tailor outreach strategies to local conditions, such as linking individuals near transit corridors with mobile engagement units or coordinating shelter access for those encountered during enforcement details. ■ Information Sharing and Analysis: Develop consistent reporting and data -sharing practices across divisions to identify emerging trends, track outcomes, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. This will support better allocation of resources and inform future operational planning. Adopting this adaptive, place -based framework will enable divisions to respond more effectively to localized conditions while maintaining alignment with citywide goals. By combining enforcement with environmental design and sustained outreach, the city can more effectively balance public safety, community quality of life, and compassionate engagement with vulnerable populations. Additional questions or information requests should be directed to Deputy Chief Monica Martin at 817-392-3634. Jesus "Jay" Chapa City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS