The Fort Worth City Council has approved a contract for a company that will review security in entertainment districts. Safe Night LLC will lead a "public safety assessment" in Downtown Fort Worth, Near Southside, the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards, and West 7th.
Last weekend, police say a drunk driving suspect hit two pedestrians near West 7th and University. They say Andrew Guerra started driving the wrong way down Morton Street Saturday night.
Police say officers on patrol saw the car. When Guerra realized he was going the wrong way, he turned around.
"He almost struck the parked police car and sat there for a couple seconds," says Sergeant Jason Spencer. "The officers began to worry we might have an impaired driver on our hands."
Spencer says officers tried to pull Guerra over, but he sped down West 7th, hitting a light pole, another car and two pedestrians near University. The two pedestrians went to the hospital in serious condition, and Guerra was arrested for intoxication assault, evading arrest and unlawful restraint. Spencer says Guerra would not let a passenger leave the car.
In September, a TCU student was shot and killed near the West 7th development.
The contract approved Tuesday would pay Safe Night LLC $148,200 to work with police and business groups in West 7th and other entertainment districts to improve safety.
"As the City continues to grow, the Police Department seeks to collaborate with businesses and community stakeholders to ensure public safety remains a
priority and thereby enable these areas to thrive," the council agenda read.
The contract says Safe Night LLC would be responsible for risk analysis, assessment of current nightlife, training for business groups, voluntary accreditation and data gathering.
Fort Worth will pay for the contract using $49,100 each from the Crime Control and Prevention District and Culture and Tourism Fund. Visit Fort Worth and business groups representing Downtown Fort Worth, Near Southside and Stockyards will each pay $10,000.
West 7th Bar and Restaurant Association will pay $5,000, and Artisan Circle, rebranded from "Crockett Row at West 7th" in November, will pay $2,500. The Cultural District Alliance will also pay $2,500.
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