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