HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9795 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9795
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 4, 2015
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rrn SUBJECT: BERRY STREET TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
The purpose of this informal report is to respond to a request for information regarding Marshal
Division Traffic Enforcement Details being conducted on East Berry Street, east of 1-35, which is
adversely affecting the flow of traffic.
Deputy City Marshals routinely conduct Traffic Enforcement Details throughout the City as a
method of identifying and apprehending individuals with outstanding Municipal Court warrants.
These details sometimes involve "on-view" violations such as expired registration or seat belts not
being worn; however, the most common details utilize License Plate Reader (LPR) technology.
Marshal vehicles equipped with LPR units will park adjacent to the roadway to allow the unit to
scan all passing license plates and compare them to a database of license plates associated with
Municipal Court cases in warrant status. This type of detail was conducted in or about the 1200
block of East Berry Street on several occasions during late 2014 and early 2015.
It is not an approved Marshal Division practice to conduct Traffic Enforcement Details in active
school zones, construction zones or any location where such a detail may pose additional driving
challenges to the public. In addition, the Marshal Division does not use any traffic control devices
to manipulate the flow of traffic unless such a detail is performed in conjunction with the Fort
Worth Police Department.
An inquiry revealed that some Deputy City Marshals parked in the turn lane in order to maximize
the effectiveness of the LPR. This position enables the LPR to scan license plates of vehicles
traveling in both directions. However, this practice produces challenges to drivers wanting to
make turns across traffic in close proximity to where a Marshal vehicle is parked and is not
acceptable.
The Deputy Marshals involved have been counseled on the additional driving challenges this
practice creates and their behavior has been corrected. All deputy marshals have been notified
and made aware that this is not an approved practice.
If you have any questions concerning this report, please contact Deidra Emerson, Municipal
Court Services Director or David Camp, City Marshal at 817-392-6711 .
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS