ARLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
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Transcript ARLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
ARLINGTON POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Problem-Oriented Policing
North District Update and Initiatives
May 2007
Overview
Action History – North Watson Motels
Results/Current Status; Legal Action
Operation Spotlight
Watson/Division Corridor
Comprehensive Initiative
Tools Needed
Ordinances
Other Innovative Tools
Recommended Next Steps
Action History – Statistics
High volume of calls exhausted police resources
Three motels on North Watson
1175 N. Watson – Executive Inn
1181 N. Watson – American Inn
1195 N. Watson – Arlington Inn
October 24, 2005 – March 20, 2006:
Narcotics reports/arrests – up 267%
Total arrests – up 115%
Total calls for service – up 40%
87% increase in Part I crimes (aggravated assault,
robbery)
Action History – Complaints
Tourists/visitors and their
children were being
approached by drug dealers
and prostitutes
Guests would request refunds
to find a safer location, only
to be denied by motel
management
Action History – Initial Meetings
Nuisance Abatement Team
Police, Fire, Code Enforcement, Housing, Legal,
and Municipal Court
Meetings held with property owners Aug. 2005
All 3 locations continued inattentive and/or
non-compliant position
Action History – “The Sign”
To alert visitors/community
members about this focus area, a
large sign was placed that read,
“High Crime Location, Report
Activity, Call 911.”
Significant media attention
Many contacts and partnerships
were created
Results – Current Status
Reduction in drug calls (62.5%) and total calls
(31.8%)
However, current crime rate at these 3 hotels
remains more than 7 times higher than other nearby
hotels
1,303 calls at these 3 hotels vs. a total of 178 calls at four
nearby hotels (Lamar/Brookhollow Plaza)
Management continues pattern of non-compliance
1175 N. Watson – Recent Violation
One recent violation
Citation issued for smoke
detector being removed
Annual re-inspection
to be conducted soon
Citations will be issued
for noted violations that
have not been corrected
1181 N. Watson – Recent Violations
8 life safety code violations /3 code violations
Fire lane not maintained
High grass
Unclean premises
Too many banners
On site car sales
without permit
1195 N. Watson – Recent Violations
7 life safety code violations/2 code violations
Stagnant pool water
Inoperable emergency
phone
“No Drugs” sign
altered
Legal Action
Cases prepared by Nuisance Abatement Team
1181 N. Watson and 1195 N. Watson
Texas Attorney General accepted cases and filed law
suits
Owners of both locations claim general denial
Cases move into “discovery” phase
If cases are successful, courts may close locations for
up to one year. Property owners may post a bond and
continue to operate under court ordered stipulations
Operation Spotlight
Watson Road is the north
doorway to the Entertainment District
Division Street runs through the heart of
Arlington
Comprehensive initiative for the
Watson/Division corridor to address:
Prostitution
Homelessness
Drugs
Prostitution is a Problem
Systemic Problem
Crime
Assaults, Aggravated Assaults, Drugs, Robbery,
Motor Vehicle Burglaries, etc.
Dangerous Health Impact
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Negative Economic Impact to Area
Quality of Life Issues
Homeless Camps, Panhandling
Action History – Prostitution
Traditional Enforcement Efforts
Arrests and Sting Operations
Narcotics Enforcement
Traffic Enforcement (DL Checks)
Nuisance Abatement Team Action
Code Enforcement
Tax Review (hotel, property, etc.)
Homeless Camp Eradication Efforts (new)
Car Lot Target Hardening Efforts (new)
Goals
What do we hope to achieve?
Eliminate prostitution
Reduce “open-air” prostitution
offenses by 50%
What will it take to achieve the goal?
Identify resources necessary to reach an
acceptable level of success
Utilize business and community partnerships
Partnerships on Watson/Division
7 of 14 motels on Division St. have
partnered with us to reduce offenses and
improve quality of life
18 of the 69 auto dealerships along Division
St. have agreed to assist with “target
hardening” initiatives to help reduce
offenses
More Partnerships
North District Pilot Project meeting scheduled for
May 24 with stakeholders to define priorities and
boundaries
Renewed partnership with Six Flags Mall
Partnerships established with The Huffines Group
and Bird's Fort Foundation
Regular meetings with ACVB and hoteliers
Hospitality Cluster for the Chamber of Commerce
Citizens on Patrol group
Action North to study and provide insight in
addressing BMV's on restaurant row
Target Areas
Target Locations
Hotels on North Watson Road
Hotels along Division Street
Target Prostitutes
Impact supply through enforcement and prosecution
Target Market
Impact demand through enforcement
Target Conditions
Poverty, drugs, sexually oriented businesses
More Tools Needed
Multi-disciplinary, interdepartmental
approach
Traditional enforcement, nuisance abatement,
code enforcement, etc. being utilized
More tools/resources to remediate the
problem
Ordinances under consideration
Other innovative tools
Ordinances Under Consideration
Prostitution Mapping
Civil Exclusion
Legal Issues
Require Hotels/Motels to Identify Guests
Model Ordinance in San Antonio
Aggressive Solicitation (Panhandling) Ordinance
Defines “Aggressive;” Restricts Certain Actions
Loitering for Purposes of Prostitution
Allows Restrictions of “Advertising” Behavior
Other Tools – Public Information
Post cards
Website
Public Service
Announcements
Still Needed
Comprehensive social service
delivery network
Address criminogenic conditions such as
substance abuse, temporary homelessness,
familial issues, coping skills, reentry
A one-stop, non-profit sector operated “shop”
to provide temporary housing, social and
employment services and life skills training
Recommended Next Steps
Continue holistic strategy
to these systemic problems
Adopt ordinances
Public information
campaign
Nurture non-profit sector partnerships
Engage business community
Measure progress and adjust strategies
as necessary
End