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Official City Release

New public safety initiative focuses on East Lancaster corridor

press releaseTuesday, March 3, 2026Fort Worth Press Releases
A new multi-department public safety initiative launched in January targets the East Lancaster corridor (bounded by Cypress Street and East Presidio Street) to sustainably address illegal street camping, violent crime, and homelessness, following a November 2025 large-scale cleanup by the HOPE Unit and partner city departments. The initiative is a collaborative effort among HOPE, Central Patrol, Central Bikes, Homeless Strategies, Environmental Services, and community outreach partners.
11 entities3 key facts2 perspectives7 sections
Topics
public_safety
policy

Mentioned Entities

Analysis

Overview

Fort Worth launched a multi-department public safety initiative in January 2026 targeting the East Lancaster corridor, bounded by Cypress Street and East Presidio Street, to address illegal street camping, violent crime, and homelessness through sustainable outcomes.

Public Safety

The East Lancaster corridor recorded 171 citations in 2025 and was identified as responsible for a disproportionately high share of violent crime relative to other parts of the city.

Community Impact

The initiative explicitly frames its goal as safety for both the homeless population and the volunteers and advocates serving them, with community outreach organizations MHMR, Partnership Home, and the JPS Health Network serving as active partners.

Insights by Role

Journalist

MediumMedium significance — notable action worth trackingThe city's own account documents that a large-scale Nov. 13 cleanup was reversed within days, yet the press release presents the subsequent January initiative without naming what will be done differently structurally. The 171 citations figure and the disproportionate violent crime claim are both unverified data points worth requesting from FWPD.

Resident

MediumMedium significance — notable action worth trackingResidents and businesses in the East Lancaster corridor between Cypress Street and East Presidio Street are the direct audience for this initiative, which involves active and ongoing joint operations by HOPE, Central Patrol, Central Bikes, Environmental Services, and outreach partners. The November cleanup demonstrated the city can mobilize quickly in the corridor; the January initiative represents a shift to sustained presence.

Source Text

Open source →

In October 2025, Homeless Outreach and Programs Enforcement (HOPE) officers and area stakeholders observed a significant increase in illegal street camping that obstructed sidewalks and portions of roadways near the 2400 block of Cypress Street and 1500 E. Presidio St. This area is also responsible for a disproportionally high amount of violent crime when compared to other parts of the city. In 2025, there were 171 citations in the area.

Early in November 2025, a notice was distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness in the area, as well as to nearby resource centers and shelters. The notice was provided as a courtesy and outlined applicable ordinances related to prohibited camping, obstruction of roadways and unauthorized private use of streets and sidewalks.

By Nov. 13, the HOPE Unit conducted a large-scale cleanup throughout the East Lancaster corridor with assistance from Environmental Services, Animal Control and other City departments. The cleanup was successful in removing illegal campsites, waste and debris. The success of the cleanup effort was short-lived, and within days, the area returned to its prior condition.

In January, a new public safety initiative was launched with an emphasis on sustainable outcomes and enhanced safety for both individuals experiencing homelessness and the volunteers and advocates working in the East Lancaster corridor, which is bounded by Cypress Street and East Presidio Street. The initiative is a collaborative effort among HOPE, Central Patrol, Central Bikes, Homeless Strategies, Environmental Services and other area partners. The overall goal is to maintain a safe, clean and crime-free environment for this vulnerable population and those providing services to them.

The HOPE team is one division of the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) that has seen notable success in recent years. The team works alongside community outreach organizations like MHMR, Partnership Home, the JPS Health Network and others.

Photos: A cleanup in the area of Cypress and East Presidio streets was successful in removing illegal campsites, waste and debris.

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