FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth Police Department leaders say they hope newly-published crime data will calm some concerns about safety in the West 7th entertainment district.
The nightlife destination's reputation has worsened since September, when a stranger randomly shot and killed TCU student Wes Smith outside a popular West 7th bar.
But from March 2023 to March 2024, police data shows West 7th hosted fewer violent crimes than Fort Worth's three other entertainment districts. There were 79 violent crimes in Downtown, 63 violent crimes in the Near Southside, 35 violent crimes in the Stockyards and 31 violent crimes in West 7th.
"Perception isn't always reality," Fort Worth Police Department executive assistant chief Robert Alldredge told WFAA Tuesday. "People hear about these high-profile incidents... that doesn't mean that is a standard thing that happens in West 7th. West 7th is a safe place to go."
There were 155 'crimes against persons' in West 7th in 2023, down 15% from 183 in 2022. Property crimes also fell 20%.
Crimes against society, such as drunk driving or illegal drug possession, rose 47% from 2022 to 2023. Fort Worth police say this is a product of a "proactive enforcement" strategy that's led to more searches and subsequent arrests.
"We started doing more traffic stops and we started having conversations with people in the area a little bit more," Alldredge said. "From those, we were able to make arrests and we were able to get 182 guns off the streets from 2022 to today."
Alldredge says, "without a doubt," high-profile incidents of violence can affect the public's perception of an entire area for an extended period of time. He noted that people from all over DFW and tourists from other states frequent West 7th, meaning the area is subject to more intense scrutiny.
Despite the improved numbers, the city of Fort Worth has committed more than $500,000 toward making the district safer since Smith's death.