The sun rises behind downtown Fort Worth’s skyline on Friday, September 9, 2022.
Amanda McCoy
amccoy@star-telegram.com
Less than two months in, a pilot program to step up code and crime enforcement at Fort Worth businesses is showing early result, and the city may soon introduce an ordinance aimed at shuttering problem properties.
The Nuisance Enforcement Task Force, which began operations Jan. 1, is a multi-departmental effort targeting four alleged crime-ridden locations: the Eco Motel (3201 E. Lancaster Ave.), the Sandy Oaks Apartments (1525 Sandy Lane) and the Rocky’s I and II convenience stores (4250 and 4220 Hemphill St.).
Combined, these properties accounted for nearly 900 calls for service to Fort Worth police and fire from early 2024 to late 2025, according to a report presented to the City Council in December. The Eco Motel alone was responsible for more than half those calls.
The Star-Telegram left messages requesting comment from the owners of Rocky’s and the Eco Motel, but those messages were not returned.
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John Baker, whose investment group owns the Sandy Oaks Apartments, said he and his associates are busy getting the property up to standards set by the city.
“We’re working our butts off,” he said when reached by phone.
Baker said the city organized a unit-by-unit inspection of the Sandy Oaks this year and identified a number of minor cosmetic issues, likes holes in the wall. But Baker argued crime is not a problem at the complex, which comprises 102 units and between 300 and 500 residents, Baker estimated.
“Some people have been yapping saying we have crime,” Baker said, “but we really don’t.”
According to city data, there were 285 emergency services calls related to the Shady Oaks between Jan. 1, 2024, and Oct. 20, 2025. Out of those calls, there were 23 verifiable criminal offenses, the data showed
Baker said the call number sounded exaggerated. He believes that includes calls his property manager and staff made to police to remove individuals who were trespassing.
Baker’s group bought the Sandy Oaks in 2011, and they own more than a dozen other apartment complexes in the area, he said. He may not agree with how the city is scrutinizing his property, but he said he doesn’t want any problems, so he’ll do what’s asked of him remediate any code and crime issues.
“Believe me, we’ll get it done,” he vowed.
At the West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday night, Fort Worth Code Compliance Director Brian Daugherty said increased code enforcement and policing efforts at the NET Force target properties are having an impact.
When it comes to code enforcement, Daugherty said, the idea is to put a dent in the profits of unscrupulous businesses by fining them for every single violation. In the case of the Eco Motel, the first code compliance inspection this year turned up 350 violations, said Daugherty.
Fort Worth Nuisance Abatement Officer Jentry Cotten said Monday that Eco Motel owner Shetal Patel is now considering options that include closing and potentially demolishing the 106-year-old motor lodge that has become a hive of drug use and prostitution, according to police records.
At the same time as he’s being squeezed by the NET Force efforts, Patel is also at the center of a civil lawsuit against him and the Eco Motel brought by two nearby residents. This month, a judge issued a temporary injunction requiring Patel to make substantial improvements in security in order to curb crime at the motel. A trial is set for May.
A habitual nuisance ordinance for Fort Worth
Daugherty said Fort Worth’s legal department is drafting a new ordinance that would allow the city to aggressively go after properties that have chronic issues related to crime, noise, building and zoning violations.
Property owners who tolerate habitual nuisances will have to meet certain standards set by the city and pay fees to reimburse the city for enforcement resources. If appropriate abatement action isn’t taken, the city could revoke the certificates of occupancy for nuisance properties.
New Fort Worth code enforcement philosophy balances toughness with service
While Daugherty said the city is done playing games with businesses that pose a threat to safety, security and the peace of their surrounding neighbors, he isn’t focused solely on being punitive.
Since taking over as director of Code Compliance in 2024, Daugherty has worked to improve relations between the department and Fort Worth citizens. For example, code compliance officers no longer wear uniforms that resemble law enforcement. Daugherty said that simple change helped reinforce the perspective that compliance officers are here to offer solutions, not simply write citations.
More recently, Code Compliance rolled out its Mobile Tool Shed program, through which residents can borrow the tools they need to keep their properties in compliance with city ordinances. And next month, Daugherty said, the department will introduce a mobile pet clinic that will spay and neuter animals in areas where strays are abundant. Instead of constantly focusing on increasing adoptions at city animal shelters, Daugherty said it’s important to reduce the number of animals taken in.
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 3:22 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Matt Adams is a news reporter covering Fort Worth, Tarrant County and surrounding areas. He previously wrote about aviation and travel and enjoys a good weekend road trip. Matt joined the Star-Telegram in January 2025.