City Updates: STR Crime Findings, Traffic Concerns and Neighborhood Safety

Rick Wood, WNA Government Liaison

On September 23, the Carrollton City Council heard from criminologist Dr. Bell Carmen. He has consulted with more than 120 police departments and has been hired by the Carrollton City Attorney as a consultant. The primary topic was crime related to Short Term Rentals (STR’s).

What were the findings?

• Over 60% of STR properties report one or more code violations in Carrollton compared to 38% of non STR properties.

• A call for police service (visit) is 4 to 5 times more likely in an STR vs. a non-STR.

The Good News

The City Attorney (and in turn the Carrollton City Council) appear to be seriously considering the increased violations, crime and safety threats STR’s can bring. Part of the due diligence as they consider changes to the STR policy.

Town Hall Follow Up Items

One note of follow up from our WNA Town Hall Meeting from August 12th, I had a conversation with Michael Braton, of Carrollton Public Works concerning the long wait times at our traffic signal at the intersection of Frankford & Cambridgeshire, as well as the excessive speed some reported happening on Cambridgeshire. The good news is that traffic signal at Cambridgeshire and Frankford did have a faulty sensor and will be fixed! Expect wait times to get shorter.

Crime Watch

The one "burglary" on Cambridgeshire earlier in the month is (thank goodness) the only crime showing up in Woodgate. But you don’t have to look to far away to see crime, so stay vigilant Woodgate. Keep those garage doors shut, lock your back gates and look out for one another.

Stay safe and stay classy!

Rick Wood

Government Liaison for WNA