Fort Worth’s West 7th Street now safer, work still needed
West 7th Street businesses push for more improvements
Crime seems to be going down on Fort Worth's popular West 7th Street. Still, business owners, residents, and community leaders believe more is needed to help improve the entertainment district's reputation.
FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth business and community leaders got an update on Thursday on the future of the West 7th Street Entertainment District.
Recent crime prevention efforts seem to be working, but the stakeholders believe there is still work that needs to be done to improve the area.
West 7th Street Improvements
What's new:
Business owners, residents, and law enforcement officials met for lunch on Thursday to discuss a battle with a perception that reflects more of the negative than the actual good for Fort Worth’s West 7th Street Entertainment District.
The group wants more attention on the cultural aspects of the district rather than its reputation for nightlife. It also noted the gains made in creating a safer district overall.
Fort Worth to install retractable barriers in attempt to increase safety near West 7th
The metal automatic rising and lowering bollards will soon be installed at several key intersections in the West 7th Street Entertainment District.
What they're saying:
"We don’t have shootings every night. We don’t have homicides every night. I think it’s important for people to recognize that we are working very hard down there to change the entire outlook of the area, and that when those incidents occur, they just get a lot of headlines," said Lt. Paul Genualdo with the Fort Worth Police Department.
Man sentenced to 60 years for TCU student's West 7th Street murder
An accused killer has pleaded guilty to a murder charge in Fort Worth. The victim was a Texas Christian University student whose death stunned the campus.
Brian Torres with Rivers Cocktail and Wine Bar still wants to see better traffic flow, better lighting, and better overall support from the community.
"Being not only a resident and owner of a business in this area, it’s been really tough to watch this area receive such negative publicity, not only because the concerns aren’t real, but because the narrative doesn’t reflect the pride, progress, and possibility that exists right here," said Toan Luong, a local business owner. "This should be and can be one of the most vibrant, welcoming, and thriving districts in this city."
The Source: FOX 4's Dionne Anglin gathered information for this story by attending a meeting with West 7th Street stakeholders.