safety
Fort Worth asks judge to declare East Lancaster motel a nuisance due to ‘chronic criminal activity’
By Dylan Duke | KERA News at Fort Worth Report
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
Fort Worth sued the owner of an East Lancaster motel Tuesday for allegedly failing to control rampant prostitution, drug dealing and violence on the property. The city is asking the judge to label Central Motel a common nuisance, shut it down for a year, appoint a receiver and order the owner to tak
Key takeaway "Chronic criminal activity that threatens our neighborhoods will not be ignored," City Manager Jay Chapa said in a press release.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The city's lawsuit against the Central Motel owner is a significant step in addressing the chronic criminal activity plaguing the East Lancaster corridor, a area already identified by Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia as a top 10 hotspot for crime. The fact that neighboring business owners are afraid to speak publicly about the property underscores the fear and intimidation that can come with living and working near a nuisance property. The city's investment of over $150,000 to reduce crime in the corridor and the launch of the Nuisance Enforcement Task Force initiative demonstrate a commitment to improving public safety in this area. As the case proceeds, it will be worth watching how the city's efforts to hold property owners accountable for persistent criminal activity on their premises play out, and whether this approach can be a model for addressing similar issues in other parts of the city, such as the Fort Worth Stockyards or Sundance Square.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Fort Worth sued the owner of an East Lancaster motel Tuesday for allegedly failing to control rampant prostitution, drug dealing and violence on the property. The city is asking the judge to label Central Motel a common nuisance, shut it down for a year, appoint a receiver and order the owner to tak
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dylan Duke | KERA News at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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