Fort Worth Task Force Cracks Down on Chronic Nuisance Properties

More than 1,000 code violations issued at four targeted locations in the city's first weeks of operation.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A new multi-agency Fort Worth task force, called the Nuisance Enforcement Task Force or NET Force, has launched a crackdown on persistent problem properties in the city. In its first weeks of operation, the task force has documented over 1,000 code violations across four locations, including apartment complexes, motels, and convenience stores that have long plagued nearby neighborhoods with issues like crime, neglect, and nuisance activity.

Why it matters

The targeted properties have strained police resources for years, with issues like hand-to-hand drug transactions, prostitution, and other nuisance activities impacting surrounding neighborhoods. The consolidated approach marks a departure from how the city has historically handled such locations, with departments typically responding to complaints individually rather than conducting comprehensive joint inspections.

The details

The NET Force conducted joint inspections at four locations: Sandy Oaks Apartments, the Eco Motel, Southside Food Mart, and Rocky's II convenience stores. At Sandy Oaks Apartments alone, inspectors identified 859 violations. The Eco Motel yielded 421 violations, while the two convenience stores combined for 80 more. The city has already issued 18 citations to the Eco Motel, and inspectors plan to return to all four properties every two weeks to document compliance and issue additional citations as needed.

  • The NET Force launched in January 2026.
  • Inspections at the four targeted properties were conducted in the first weeks of the task force's operation.

The players

Nuisance Enforcement Task Force (NET Force)

A new multi-department enforcement initiative in Fort Worth, Texas, targeting persistent problem properties in the city.

Jentry Cotton

A Fort Worth Police nuisance abatement officer.

Brian Daugherty

The Code Compliance Director for the City of Fort Worth.

Monica Santiesteban

An assistant at Panaderia La Fe, a business near the targeted Hemphill Street stores.

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What they’re saying

“These are properties that we've been dealing with for years.”

— Jentry Cotton, Fort Worth Police nuisance abatement officer (wfaa.com)

“We've been here 35 years, and it's been like that a long time. We've told people to leave. We've had to call police numerous times. We've had to make reports.”

— Monica Santiesteban, Assistant at Panaderia La Fe (wfaa.com)

“The main thing we're looking for is compliance. We haven't got it in the past with our methods. That's why this is more concentrated.”

— Brian Daugherty, Code Compliance Director, City of Fort Worth (wfaa.com)

What’s next

Inspectors plan to return to all four properties every two weeks to document compliance and issue additional citations where needed.

The takeaway

This coordinated crackdown by the NET Force highlights Fort Worth's efforts to address long-standing issues at problem properties that have strained city resources and impacted surrounding neighborhoods. The comprehensive inspections and citations aim to bring these chronic nuisance locations into compliance, though success is not guaranteed.