On November 8, Fort Worth City Council approved a new municipal ordinance banning open containers and public alcohol consumption in the West 7th District. This prohibition covers public streets and sidewalks within the district.
Violations will result in a citation for a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500.
Elizabeth Beck, a Fort Worth City Council member, told CBS News that the idea for the ordinance is not about taking the fun out of the area but is aimed at reducing problems outside of restaurants and bars.
Beck drafted the ordinance following complaints from residents, visitors, and businesses about crowds of people drinking in the streets and parking lots, according to WFAA.
“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 said to WFAA. “The West 7th district is one of the top producers in alcohol sales statewide pretty consistently,” she continued.
Texas Law does not generally prohibit open containers or open consumption, with exceptions being areas like parking lots and state parks. Cities and municipalities, however, do have the ability to institute bans in certain areas, such as a central business district.
Fort Worth currently bans open containers and alcohol consumption within 1,000 feet of a homeless shelter or a substance abuse treatment center.
The initial discussion of the new ordinance was prompted by increased crime in the West 7th area. According to a report by City Manager David Cooke, the area has experienced an approximate 15% increase in overall crime over the last 10 months compared to the previous year, including an 8% increase in public intoxication arrests. Additionally, 12% of overall criminal offenses in the area so far this year have involved alcohol.
This ordinance does not prohibit the possession of open alcohol containers or consumption in “motor vehicles, buildings not owned or controlled by a municipality, residential structures or licensed premises.”
Beck said she is working with the city and local police department to communicate with residents about the incoming change. The new ordinance takes effect after it has been published twice in the local newspaper, which Beck estimates could take 8-10 days from Tuesday’s vote.
The Dallas Express reached out to Deputy City Attorney Melinda Ramos for further details but received no comment.