Voters will decide “whether the Fort Worth Crime Control and Prevention District should be continued for 10 years and the crime control and prevention sales tax should be continued for 10 years.”
Established in 1995 following high crime rates in the city in the 1980s, the CCPD provides funding for “some of the staff and equipment” for the Fort Worth Police Department, according to city officials.
Since the CCPD’s inception, the number of “Part I” crimes, such as murder, rape, motor vehicle theft and arson, per 100,000 residents has decreased by 63%, officials said.
“The CCPD provides additional officers to specialized units and patrol divisions to respond to emerging crime trends, target violent crime and work on getting the most active offenders off the street,” Police Chief Ed Kraus said.
With a budget of more than $85 million during fiscal year 2019-20, the CCPD provides police department support in key areas, such as equipment, infrastructure, enhanced enforcement and neighborhood crime prevention, Kraus said.
At more than $32 million annually, the majority of CCPD revenue is spent on equipment and infrastructure, including facility projects, such as the North Patrol Division headquarters on North Riverside Drive, he said.
Elsewhere, enhanced enforcement, such as additional SWAT and mounted patrol officers, and neighborhood crime prevention cost more than $24 million and more than $16 million each year, respectively.
The crime prevention unit “coordinates community events to educate on various safety programs, including personal safety and workplace violence,” FWPD Assistant Director Christianne Simmons said.
According to Simmons, the crime control and prevention district $0.005 sales tax represents a small portion of the city’s combined 8.25% sales tax rate. Taxes for other entities, such as the state, at 6.25% and the city general fund, at 1%, make up the majority of the rate. City residents also pay a $0.005 sales tax in support of Trinity Metro.
“The election will decide whether to continue the crime control and prevention district tax for 10 years,” Simmons said.
Voters can cast their ballots on election day, July 14, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Early voting options are also available from June 29-July 10.
For more information on the city of Fort Worth Crime Control and Prevention District, click here.
