Fort Worth’s newly created Nuisance Enforcement Task Force (NET Force) is already delivering results for neighborhoods that have struggled with persistent crime and code violations. The pilot program, funded through 2027, targets properties that repeatedly generate violent crime, drug activity, prostitution, health‑code breaches and other public‑safety concerns.
Neighborhoods see tangible improvements
West Meadowbrook residents, long plagued by the notorious Eco Motel, say the city’s coordinated approach is finally making a difference. “It is something that is new and innovative that we have needed for quite some time,” said Carol Peters, president of the West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association. “The city embraced it, ran with it, and it’s effective – investing resources on behalf of neighborhoods like ours to make our lives better and safer.”
Eco Motel, a four‑decade‑old hotspot for drug sales, prostitution, vagrancy and even homicide, was declared hazardous by the Fort Worth Building Standards Commission in May. After nine inspections, 509 violations were documented and 24 citations issued. The property owner has now brought the site into full compliance, according to an October presentation to the city council.
First demolition under NET Force
The program’s first demolition took place this week when the Central Motel on East Lancaster Avenue was torn down. City officials highlighted the action as a clear signal that persistent nuisance properties will no longer be tolerated.
Coordinated effort across city departments
Director of the Fort Worth Code Compliance unit Brian Daugherty explained that prior to NET Force, departments often worked in isolation, allowing problems to fester. “We have to try something different. The neighborhood deserves better and the residents deserve better,” he told the Fort Worth Report.
NET Force brings together code compliance officers, police, environmental services, developmental services, fire, communications, public engagement, the FWLab, law, municipal court and the water department. Together they conduct coordinated inspections, identify violations and develop unified enforcement strategies.
Data shows progress across pilot properties
Between Jan. 1 and May 31, the pilot’s labor cost was $174,849. Inspections and citations for the four pilot sites were as follows:
- Eco Motel – 9 inspections, 509 violations, 24 citations (owner now in compliance)
- SouthSide Food Mart – 10 inspections, 53 violations, 4 citations; the property has now closed.
- Rocky’s Drive‑Thru – 7 inspections, 39 violations, 2 citations; criminal offenses have declined, though loitering and litter remain concerns.
- Sandy Oak Apartments – 12 inspections, 859 violations, 0 citations; over 800 violations have been corrected and the building is listed for sale.
These results illustrate how a focused, multi‑agency approach can turn chronic problem sites into compliant, safer properties.
Future plans and additional targets
The city council has approved four new positions for fiscal 2027: a nuisance‑abatement officer, a code‑compliance supervisor and two senior code‑compliance officers, ensuring the program’s capacity to expand.
Officials are also monitoring additional sites, including the Cowboy Inn, the Maribel apartment complex, and a shopping center on North Beach Street, as well as properties of interest such as Motel Oasis and an abandoned car wash on Oak Grove Road.
Mayor and council members praised the initiative as a model of responsible government that protects families and upholds community standards. By addressing the root causes of crime and code neglect, NET Force aligns with Fort Worth’s broader vision for walkable, transit‑oriented redevelopment along East Lancaster Avenue, where new apartments like Palladium City Skyline and The Hills of Lancaster will soon welcome more residents.
The program’s dashboard, launched earlier this year, provides automated updates to keep the public informed of progress and accountability.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
