Fort Worth created a program to cut down on crime in West 7th. Has it helped?
Fort Worth has been putting in extra effort to reduce crime in the West 7th District ever since a crime spike in 2023.
While noise and crime have long been issues in the district, the September 2023 murder of TCU student Wes Smith gave those efforts a new urgency. Two years later, one was killed and five wounded in an apparent gang related shooting mere feet from where Smith was killed.
Following the 2023 murder, the city rerouted traffic patterns, increased police presence, and paid $150,000 for a study on ways to improve safety.
The district, roughly bounded by West Seventh Street to the north, University Drive to the west, Lancaster Avenue to the south and Foch Street to the east, has the highest concentration of police officers in the city, according to Fort Worth police.
Since 2023, the West 7th District has seen a 54% deacrease in public intoxication, a 42% decrease in disorderly conduct, a 61% decrease in simple assaults and a 76% decrease in aggrivated assaults, according to statistics from the Fort Worth Police Department.
“This is due to the proactive prevention of offenses that lead to violence between 2024-25,” police spokesperson officer Bradley Perez said in an email to the Star-Telegram.
Along with increased police presence, the city of Fort Worth has been partnering with bar owners to help keep people safe.
In May, the Fort Worth City Council approved creating the “Golden Lasso” program, which recognizes businesses with policies and practices meant to encourage safety.
The program was one of several recommendations from a study conducted by consultant Safe Night LLC., which was contracted by the city in the wake of the Wes Smith murder.
The company also worked with the city to train staff and police to build relationships with West 7th business owners in an effort to prioritize crime prevention rather than just response.
Examples of policies recommended by the program include having a written policy prohibiting underage drinking or having a policy encouraging staff to offer low cost non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers.
So far, 16 businesses have been accredited through the program with 11 of those located in the West 7th District.
Social Liv, where 31-year-old Patrique Allen was shot to death early Sunday morning, was not one of them, according to data from the Fort Worth police department.
The program encourages businesses to have a policy regarding handguns and weapons found on patrons, according to an assessment form shared with the Star-Telegram by the Fort Worth police department.
Businesses have to score 370 out of 470 points to get accredited, and the accreditation is updated annually, program coordinator Kimberly Tyler said in an email to the Star-Telegram.
Those accredited by the city get a sticker they can put in their windows to advertise the recognition.
While not mandatory, the city is promoting the program as a way for businesses to brand themselves as “safety-enhanced entertainment,” while at the same time having policies in place that reduce crime.
City officials also regularly meet with the West Bar Owners Association to discuss ways to improve the district.
The city plans to recognize the businesses participating in the program during the Nov. 4 City Council work session, program coordinator Tyler said. That meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at new city hall at 100 Fort Worth Trail.
Here are the businesses that have been accredited so far:
West 7th
- BAR 2909, 2909 Morton St.
- Reservoir-Bar, Patio & Kitchen, 1001 Foch St.
- Koe Wetzel’s Riot Room, 1100 Foch St.
- Whiskey Garden, 2800 Bledsoe St.
- Junk Punch, 2805 Bledsoe St.
- Bodega West 7th, 2921 Morton St.
- Dirty Laundry, 1005 Foch St.
- El Chingon, 2800 Bledsoe St.
- Ampersand, 3009 Bledsoe St.
- The Shot Cellar, 931 Foch St.
- ShipWreck, 1015 Foch St.
Stockyards
Magnolia
Other
This story was originally published October 6, 2025 at 5:17 PM.
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