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Safe Night study recommends multidisciplinary approach and voluntary bar accreditation for Fort Worth entertainment districts
Summary
A consultant-led Safe Night study recommended multidisciplinary coordination, traffic enforcement, lighting and a voluntary bar accreditation model (the "golden lasso") with training; staff asked council to pass a resolution memorializing intent and to promote voluntary participation.
The police department and consultant Safe Night LLC presented findings and recommendations from an extended study of four Fort Worth entertainment districts—West Seventh, Downtown, Stockyards and the Near Southside—with a focus on safety, operations and nightlife management.
Chief Neil Aldridge summarized the study’s process: a steering committee, on-site assessments, risk-terrain modeling (environmental factors that contribute to crime), and outreach including a youth-focused panel. The consulting team identified recurring strengths (consistent communication between businesses and city agencies, active property-improvement districts, lighting) and cross-cutting recommendations such as increased traffic enforcement, relocation of ride-share zones, higher-intensity lighting, off-duty/off-site officer coordination and stronger coordination between off-duty officers and the on-duty nightlife team.
One of the central recommendations is a voluntary accreditation program for bars and restaurants in entertainment districts that would standardize safety protocols, provide training for employees and city staff, and produce a window sticker (presented in the meeting as the “golden lasso”) that denotes accredited businesses. Chief Aldridge said the program is voluntary and not tied to zoning or permit denials; business owners raised concerns about potential costs and enforcement and asked for assurance that accreditation would not be punitive. Staff said training for city staff and businesses is scheduled for March 26–28, with bars attending a specific session, and that Visit Fort Worth will highlight accredited businesses in tourism outreach.
Councilmembers and staff discussed other recommendations, including bollards and feasibility studies for stockyards streetscape hardening, and the need to memorialize the program with a council resolution so business owners feel reassured it will remain voluntary. Staff asked council to consider a resolution expressing council’s support for the voluntary accreditation and related safety initiatives; no vote was taken at the meeting.
