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Fort Worth police outline Lancaster Corridor ‘HOPE’ push as partners expand cleanup, outreach and community court referrals
Summary
Deputy Chief Buck Wheeler and partners described a concentrated, multi‑agency effort on East Lancaster to clear illegal camps, reduce violent crime and link people to services; officials said 265 camps were removed, 735 warnings issued and 74 citations given between Jan. 23 and Feb. 17, while outreach and community court programs aim to divert citations into services.
Deputy Chief Buck Wheeler of the Fort Worth Police Department told the Public Sector Committee that a new, concentrated HOPE‑team effort along the East Lancaster corridor aims to reduce violent crime while preserving access to services for people experiencing homelessness.
The update, presented with city environmental and outreach partners, said the initiative focuses enforcement on low‑level offenses that officers say can lead to more serious crime — illegal camping, obstructing roadways and sidewalks, littering, stored vehicles, narcotics and prostitution — while directing people toward help. Commander Stewart (Central Division) reported that from Jan. 23 to Feb. 17 teams removed 265 illegal camps, issued 735 warnings and 74 citations — roughly one citation for every 10 warnings — and made multiple felony arrests that targeted drug dealers operating in the area.
City environmental services official Wendy Turpin described an expanded cleanup effort (92 camps cleaned in the recent…
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