(FARGO) – After citizens reached out to city leaders with concerns regarding The Arbors, city commissioners Tuesday night had a discussion surrounding the neighborhood.
“We have elements of concern in aspects of our community that come to our attention somewhat regularly,” Commissioner John Strand said. “There are what we might call hot spots. One of them is The Arbors, and Arbors is a substantial community of sometimes at-risk people and residents.”
City responses to The Arbors
Fargo City Administrator Michael Redlinger said six departments within the city currently have active and consistent responses in the Arbors. The departments include fire, police, Fargo Cass Public Health, Employee Safety – Human Resources, planning and inspections.
The Fargo Fire Department has had 302 responses to The Arbors during a time period of January 2023 through July 2024. Approximately one-third of the responses were medical in nature, with the next highest volume being either a malicious or mischievous false call; or an alarm activation with no fire.
Members of the code enforcement task force continue to discuss ways of mitigating future calls for service, Redlinger said.
“This is something where we try look to proactive enforcement to try and achieve code compliance,” he said.
Home health services are provided at multiple locations at The Arbors, with staff noting increased safety concerns. Staff members perform their work in pairs.
The planning department also works on items relating to The Arbors.
Inspections reports that there are no open cases at The Arbors, with the most recent open case closed a month ago.
“An ongoing response will no doubt be required,” Redlinger said.
Premier Management and Development is currently the site manager, and with out-of-area management, Redlinger said, challenges are presented to the City for communication.
Inspections staff have also noticed that there has been a ‘general decline’ in property upkeep ‘over the years.’
Police department response
Captain Bill Ahlfeldt, who oversees the Fargo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, said the call for service load at The Arbors abruptly rose in 2023.
“This was due to many things, including mainly a number of gang members and violent individuals that had moved into that location, unbeknownst to anyone,” Captain Ahlfeldt said. The individuals were living ‘off of lease,’ meaning they were living with someone who had a lease.
In May 2023, the Metro Area Street Crimes Unit conducted a surveillance and enforcement operation at The Arbors. That resulted in four felony level arrests, four misdemeanor arrests, and the recovery of a stolen vehicle. Additionally, fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and marijuana was seized.
None of those arrested in May 2023 lived at The Arbors.
“They either were crashing at The Arbors or coming into The Arbors to commit crimes,” Ahlfeldt said.
During the summer of 2023, the department’s Community Engagement Team worked to help the management company to enforce their own rules.
In March 2024, another planned enforcement took place, with the Community Engagement Team and Metro Area Street Crimes Unit joining together. Similar results came from the effort.
From July 31, 2023, through August 25, 2024, eight percent of all calls for service to The Arbors were for proactive policing.
Ahlfeldt said the department will have a need for a continued presence in the neighborhood.
