Crime-ridden Fort Worth motel torn down

A Fort Worth motel that the city says has caused problems for years has been torn down. The decision came as part of the city's plan to go after what it calls problem properties. Fox 4's Dan Anglin live tonight with an update. Hey, Dion. Hi there, Clarice. Well, the city says the motel that was here had become a free-for-all for crime and blight. Meantime, no one, not even the owner, can disagree. Tearing down a city nuisance, the Central Motel on East Lancaster Avenue. Cars slow down. This motorist applauds outside her window. Others need to see it up close. When I passed by and seen it, I had to turn around because I want to thank the person who made this happen. It was not a single person, but rather an aggressive city initiative that targets deadbeat business owners through Fort Worth's net force nuisance abatement effort. The Central Motel is the program's first demolition. We want them to be accountable. We want them to take the lead on this. But if they don't, then we'll come in and use all the tools that are afforded to us to bring it to a demolition if we need to. In a nutshell, Code Compliance identifies crime-ridden, resource-draining properties and businesses. If the owner ignores violations, demands, and fines, the next stop is legal action. In the end, owners here voluntarily demolish the building at their own expense. There were multiple murders here, lots of drug activity, people committing a lot of crimes. That's Donna Nickerson, who runs a nearby farmer's market. She echoes what police have confirmed for Fox 4. Over the last two and a half years, officers have responded to nearly 600 separate incidents at this motel. Now, questions about next steps. The motel is gone. The land still belongs to the owner. The city, meantime, moves on to multiple other businesses it has targeted. in the program.