FORT WORTH, Texas — New restrictions in a popular entertainment district in Fort Worth take effect Friday, Nov. 18th.
This weekend, a ban on open alcohol containers and public drinking goes into effect in the West 7th area. As the city and Fort Worth Police Department work in collaboration to implement the new restrictions, there's a 30-day grace period.
Earlier in the month, Fort Worth City Council unanimously approved a ban on open alcohol containers in the West 7th area. There had previously been no rules against open containers in this area.
West 7th includes Montgomery Plaza, Crockett Row and an area between University Drive and Carroll Street.
During the 30-day grace period, police will issue verbal warning to anyone who violates the restrictions. After the grace period expires, violators could be faced with a citation for a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500.
FWPD Lt. Paul Genualdo told WFAA he's hopeful the change will lead to increased public safety in the area.
"We’re looking for voluntary compliance. We want people to come down and have a good time," Genualdo said. "I think overall, it’s gonna have a pretty positive impact down here on West 7th."
City councilwoman Elizabeth Beck drafted an ordinance to impose the restriction following complaints from residents, visitors and businesses about crowds of people drinking on streets and parking lots.
City leaders also said crime is up 15% from last year in the entertainment district.
"We believe in large part a lot of underage folks that can't get into the establishments. And so, they mill around the area with open containers that they brought from another location," Beck told WFAA before council voted. "The West 7th district is one of the top producers in alcohol sales statewide pretty consistently."
Beck said she is working with the city and police department in communicating with citizens that the change is coming.
"We will take the vote on Tuesday per ordinances and state law. It has to be published in the Star-Telegram twice before it can go into effect," Beck said before the vote. "And so that's about eight to 10 days after we take the vote on Tuesday. I'm currently working with our police department, our internal communications department, and our partners at other agencies like TCU, to make sure that we are communicating to patrons that something has changed in the area."
Bar manager David Silvey said the ban is helpful because of potential liability issues.
"Somebody comes in and they've already been drinking outside, and we're not aware of it. We're not sure how much we can serve them," Silvey said.
Emil Bragdon, who owns five bars in the West 7th area, told WFAA the new restriction will help with safety.
"Outside of the bars, we really can't do much. And that's been a lot of spawning of issues, of violent issues in the past," Bragdon said.
Patron Fatima Garcia told WFAA that she and her friends enjoy the nightlife district but that they've had to avoid certain areas due to the amount of intoxicated people on the street.
"I'm usually on the street a little calmer," said Garcia. "So you don't see a lot of people very intoxicated as you do over there. But you will see people drinking inside their cars."