arlington police department problem-oriented policing north district update and initiatives may 2007
TRANSCRIPT
ARLINGTON POLICE ARLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENTDEPARTMENT
Problem-Oriented Policing
North District Update and InitiativesMay 2007
OverviewOverview
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 – StatisticsAction 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 – ComplaintsAction 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 MeetingsAction 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”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 StatusResults – 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 Violation1175 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 Violations1181 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 Violations1195 N. Watson – Recent Violations
7 life safety code violations/2 code violations Stagnant pool water Inoperable emergency
phone “No Drugs” sign
altered
Legal ActionLegal 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 SpotlightOperation Spotlight
Watson Road is the northdoorway 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 ProblemProstitution 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 – ProstitutionAction 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)
GoalsGoals
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/DivisionPartnerships 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 PartnershipsMore 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 AreasTarget 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 NeededMore 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 ConsiderationOrdinances 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 InformationOther Tools – Public Information
Post cards Website Public Service
Announcements
Still NeededStill 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 StepsRecommended 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
EndEnd