Landlord Voices Concerns, City Projects Up to 1,600 Rental Violations by 2026
Currently, Forney has between 600 and 800 open rental violations, with projections indicating that this number could escalate to 1,600 by 2026.
Council Member Delgado expressed concerns about the strained system and advocated for increased fees to fund additional inspectors and enhance enforcement. “If we want safer rentals,” she stated, “we have to fund it.”
City Attorney Discusses Accountability Measures for Landlords
City Attorney Jon Thatcher elaborated on the city's ability to utilize fines, permit revocations, and nuisance-abatement measures to hold landlords accountable. He cautioned that any new fees must be directly linked to services rather than function as a tax, emphasizing that property owners must be treated equitably.
“If the city adopts a fee,” Thatcher explained, “it must apply equally to all rental properties.”
Constable Johnson Highlights Rising Crime Rates Linked to Rentals
Constable Jason Johnson, invited by Council Member Traylor to provide insights, delivered impactful comments regarding the shifting landscape of public safety in Forney. “We are no longer a small town,” Johnson noted. “Out of 22,000 calls, 85 percent come from rental properties.”
He pointed out that many high-activity homes often have unemployed adults, unsupervised children, and a pattern of criminal activity, citing a specific instance in Windmill Farms with 97 calls for service.
“When we utilize the nuisance and abatement law, we see improvements in three to four months,” he remarked. “Neighbors are happy.”
Johnson criticized residents who prefer to voice complaints on social media instead of reaching out to law enforcement. “Social media is not 911. Call us. Chief White doesn’t play. Parents need to be parents. You can’t tell me you didn’t know your 12-year-old was out at 2 a.m.”
He advocated for zero-tolerance enforcement and greater accountability for landlords, urging the city to stop “covering up” rental-related issues.
Council Member Chambers Advocates for Investing in Youth
Council Member Chambers redirected the conversation towards long-term solutions, arguing that while Forney has invested significantly in commercial growth, it has neglected programs that benefit local youth. “We gave millions of dollars for box stores, but what have we done for our kids?” Chambers questioned. “The streets are raising these kids. Not all families in rental properties are bad people. Many don’t have role models.”
Traylor Proposes Significant Fee Increase for Rental Properties
Council Member James Traylor put forth one of the most ambitious proposals of the night: converting the annual rental registration fee into a $1,000 per-month fee for each rental property, totaling $12,000 per year.
Traylor contended that large corporate landlords should bear the costs associated with enforcement, inspections, policing, and fire services, rather than burdening Forney taxpayers. With over 600 rental homes in the city, he estimated that this change could generate $7.2 million annually for enforcement and public safety initiatives. His proposal included:
Monthly inspections by police and fire
Additional code inspectors
A police/fire substation in high-density rental areas
A rental-abatement program pairing police with code enforcement
“We need to prevent this problem before it starts,” Traylor emphasized. “There is a clear and direct correlation between crime and rental housing.”
Chief White Reports Increased Police Activity in Gateway Parks
Forney Police Chief Rusty White confirmed that the department has ramped up proactive enforcement in Gateway Parks in response to recent resident concerns. “Our officers were out there through Thanksgiving,” White stated. “They were visible, and Gateway residents received them very well.”
White highlighted that traffic stops, suspicious-activity checks, and visible patrols have been prioritized. She also mentioned the need for 69 officers by 2028, an increase from the current 54, with plans to request four additional officers soon. Furthermore, she supported the implementation of a city abatement ordinance to assist police in addressing problematic properties.
Public Speakers Share Concerns About Safety and Rental Oversight
During public comments, several residents expressed deep concerns about safety, state regulations, and the city’s capacity to manage the rapid expansion of rental properties.
One speaker criticized the city’s enforcement record, noting that in Gateway Parks, “50% of the rentals aren’t even registered.” He argued that the city cannot effectively address rental-related crime without first ensuring compliance.
A veteran compared conditions in some neighborhoods to what he experienced in Iraq, acknowledging the complexities surrounding individual landlords while urging the council to prioritize community safety. “Sometimes you have to think about saving many versus saving one,” he said.
Another resident highlighted a recent resolution from Rowlett requesting that the Texas Legislature empower cities to regulate LLC-owned rental properties. City Attorney Jon Thatcher confirmed that Forney supported similar legislative efforts, although lawmakers took no action during the session.
A fourth speaker encouraged residents to engage directly with their state legislators, arguing that the city cannot tackle the issue alone. “The whole city should be encouraged to make this reform a priority. What we are doing today, we need the State to do as well,” she stated.
One of the most emotional testimonies came from a mother with children in Forney ISD, who described moving to Gateway as the “worst decision of her life,” expressing that her children are “scared for their life” due to ongoing crime and disorder in the neighborhood.
The City Council plans to reconvene on this matter at their first meeting in January.
