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Nov 6, 2007 10:13 pm US/Central
New Arlington Ordinances Target Area Near Stadium
by Joel Thomas
ARLINGTON (CBS 11 News) ―
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New ordinances being proposed in the City of Arlington would target crime near the new Dallas Cowboys football stadium.
Dallas Cowboys
The Arlington City Council unanimously passed tougher ordinances to clean up the streets in its entertainment district near the new Dallas Cowboys football stadium. The action is part of an ongoing effort called "Operation Spotlight."
The city was looking for ways to deter things like prostitution and panhandling.
Most people who live and work in the area near the new stadium say anything that will deter the criminal element is a help.
Nancy Gibson works in Arlington and believes the tougher ordinances will make a big difference. "The area would be a lot cleaner," she said before the ordinances passed. "The few break-ins that we do have, sometimes at night, would probably disappear."
Neighbors and workers in the entertainment district often complain of foot traffic, car break-ins, and prostitution. "I've ran off in the parking lot before… soliciting," Gibson said.
Police have run operations focusing on Division Street and Highway 360. They even managed to have one of the owners shut his business down and demolish it.
The proposed ordinances makes penalties stiffer for aggressive panhandlers. Another ordinance makes hotel owners keep records of driver's license numbers for everyone they rent to.
Another ordinance makes it easier for police to arrest people who are out looking for prostitutes or drugs. "We're targeting both, those who are looking for the activities and those who are looking for customers," Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck said. "We're trying to control both sides of that equation."
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