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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

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ARLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

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  1. ARLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT Problem-Oriented Policing North District Update and Initiatives May 2007

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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 saleswithout permit

  10. 1195 N. Watson – Recent Violations • 7 life safety code violations/2 code violations • Stagnant pool water • Inoperable emergencyphone • “No Drugs” sign altered

  11. 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

  12. Operation 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

  13. 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

  14. 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)

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. Other Tools – Public Information • Post cards • Website • Public Service Announcements

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. End

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