Posted December 20, 2010

The Garland Police Department is participating with other Texas law enforcement agencies in an increased effort to remove impaired drivers from the roadways.  December 21 through January 1, DWI Enforcement Officers will be on the street during the late night and early morning hours to locate intoxicated drivers and minors driving under the influence.

So far in 2010, the Garland Police Department has arrested 406 persons for DWI and 16 for Minor DUI.  This is an increase of 78 DWI arrests from 2009, but a decrease of 19 Minor DUI cases.

Impaired drivers are a danger to all motorists, including the general public and public safety officers as they work the roadways.  If you spot a suspected impaired driver, call 9-1-1 and give a description and location to police.

If you plan to go out during the holidays and drink, please have a designated driver or call a taxi.

Choose your ride.  Drink. Drive. Go to jail.

Posted October 25, 2010

Garland Police responded to the area of Lavon Drive and Murphy Road around 10:45 a.m. on the report of a teenager carrying a pistol and walking in the area.  The area is on the Garland, Sachse border, and Sachse police joined in the hunt for the teen.  At around 11:15 a.m. Sachse officers spotted the teen coming from a wooded area next to railroad tracks just off Lavon Drive. 

As the Sachse officers confronted the teen, he pointed the pistol toward the officers.  The officers fired their weapons, and the teen fell to the ground.  Garland paramedics transported him to Baylor Hospital of Garland where he was treated and later transferred to Baylor University Medical Center of Dallas for further treatment. 

The teen has been identified as 17-year-old Ryan Cole, a senior at Sachse High School.  He is currently in ICU at Baylor Dallas with life threatening wounds. 

GPD steps up curfew enforcement

Posted August 25, 2010

With school starting again, the Garland Police Department will be giving extra attention to enforcing the curfew ordinance.  The curfew is designed to protect juveniles or minors who may become victims of crime as well as reducing the amount of crime caused by juveniles during the late night hours.  Each year, a significant number of minors either become victims of crime or participate in criminal acts.

Under City Ordinance 26.10, the curfew for minors (defined as any person under 17 years of age) is:         

11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday

12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays

Starting this weekend, this effort by GPD will target offenders roaming the streets in violation of the curfew ordinance as well as locations where minors may congregate after hours in violation of the ordinance.  Minors violating the curfew hours may be detained, issued a warning, issued a citation, or in some cases may be taken into custody.  In addition, the owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment may be cited if they knowingly allow a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.  Violations under this ordinance may result in a fine of up to $500.00.

There are certain defenses to prosecution under the ordinance.  Parents, minors, business owners, and others are encouraged to re-familiarize themselves with the ordinance that has been in existence in Garland since 1994. 

(B)     Offenses

(1)     A minor commits an offense if he remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours.

(2)     A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if he knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours.

(3)     The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment commits an offense if he knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.

GPD seeks the assistance of the entire community in making our community a safer place.

Posted August 23, 2010

During back to school time and the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Garland police officers will increase Driving While Intoxicated patrols for the Impaired Driver Mobilization project.  The project is funded through a TXDOT grant program which targets DWI along with Driving Under the Influence by Minors.

The added nighttime patrols will run from Friday, August 20 through Monday, September 6.  Officers will utilize both marked and unmarked police cars for the patrols.

So far this year GPD has recorded 260 alcohol-related driving arrests that resulted in DWI or DUI Minor charges.

In 2009 an estimated 955 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes across the State of Texas.  There were 27,108 alcohol-related crashes that resulted in 17,542 injuries in Texas (preliminary data).

Convicted first-time DWI offenders can pay a fine of up to $2,000, lose their driver’s license for up to a year, and serve 180 days in jail.  Safety officials say other costs associated with an impaired driving arrest and conviction can add up to more than $17,000 for bail, legal fees, court appearances, court ordered classes, vehicle insurance increases, and other expenses.

Kim Everett | August 22, 2010 -- Photos by Edd Holden

Garland seniors were treated to entertainment, door prizes, free refreshments, and information gathering opportunities at the Second Annual Senior Awareness Day on Saturday, August 21.  Exhibitors ranging from insurance companies, city and county agencies, and senior fitness programs to attorneys who advise seniors on legal documents and motorized chair companies were on hand to visit and answer questions.

The event was hosted by State Representative Angie Chen Button (District 112), who was in attendance to talk to attendees, along with Garland Mayor Ronald Jones, Mayor Pro Tem Larry Jeffus, and Councilman Rick Williams.  Several Richardson city officials attended as well.

Guest speakers were Chris Traylor, the commissioner of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services and Tom Clark, DFW Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration.

Submitted by Captain S.P. McCully,
Garland Police Department | August 20, 2010

Last week was the Texas Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association conference.  Citizens academies from all over the state came together for classes and networking and to celebrate the accomplishments of the alumni groups.   The TCPAAA recognizes outstanding achievement in several areas, including Alumni Member of the Year, Peace Officer of the Year, Membership of the Year (based on size and participation) and Alumni Association of the Year.   For the first time ever, all four awards were won by the same association.  The 2010 TCPAAA awards went to:

• Alumni Member of the Year - Cheryl Bray, past president - Garland CPAAA
• Peace Officer of the Year - Detective Mike Roberds – police liaison - Garland CPAAA
• Membership of the Year - Garland CPAAA
• Alumni Association of the Year – Garland CPAAA

The group will receive a proclamation from the mayor in September recognizing this accomplishment.

Kim Everett | August 17, 2010

The cause of a three-alarm fire that destroyed a rental warehouse complex is currently under investigation.  The fire was reported at around 5 a.m., and firefighters had it under control by around 7:30 a.m.

The third truck was brought in to provide more manpower so that firefighters could escape the heat and humidity.  There was also an air-conditioned unit on the scene where first responders could cool down, and their vital signs were being checked periodically. 

Today’s temperature rose to more than 100 degrees in the afternoon, with a heat index of 109 degrees.  At 2:30 p.m., firefighters said that they would be there at least until 5 p.m. to continue spraying the site so that no more fires erupted because of the heat.

The rental warehouse complex, located at the corner of First Street and West Walnut Street is a total loss.  Because of the age of the structure, there was no sprinkler system.

In the past, the 70-year-old building had served as a cotton storage facility.  There were no injuries.

Kim Everett  |  August 17, 2010

State Representative Joe Driver of Garland, a fiscal conservative, admitted in an interview with the Associated Press that he had been submitting travel expenses to both his campaign and the Texas House of Representatives and being reimbursed by both entities for years. 

The travel expenses included luxury hotels, airline tickets, and meals, as well as state mileage reimbursements, which were also paid by his campaign.

Driver, who was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1992 and currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, told the AP that he thought it was OK to bill two separate entities for the same expenses.

According to the AP report, the double billing, which Driver thought was appropriate until talking to the AP, has been going on for a number of years, and records dating back to 2005 indicate a total of more than $17,000 in double billed travel expenses. This total does not include mileage reimbursements or vehicle expenses.

Democrats are calling for a criminal investigation by the Travis County district attorney’s office. 

In a statement issued by Driver on Monday evening, he said that he is having the records analyzed by a Certified Public Accountant and that any errors are being corrected. “I am rectifying oversights immediately. I’m happy to have the chance to do that,” Driver said.

“The key thing I must point out, however, is that despite the impression left by the AP story, NO expenses were incorrectly billed to the State of Texas. Any and all expenses were proper.  My mistake was in not reimbursing my campaign for expenditures it covered while I was on state business. This was completely unintentional. …”

Also in the statement: “… Two things I can state with certainty on this issue: not one tax dollar was misspent due to my mistake on this and any mistakes that were made are being corrected immediately.”

Kim Everett | August 15, 2010

The Atrium in downtown Garland was the site of a candidate forum hosted by the Garland Tea Party on Thursday, August 12.

Boy Scout Troop 1199 led the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem, and Mayor Ronald Jones offered the prayer.

According to Tea Party officials, all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, were invited to participate in the event, but the bulk of those in attendance were conservatives.  Voters were given the opportunity to visit with many of the candidates or their representatives during a meet and greet before the forum.

Candidates were introduced individually and given a moment to introduce themselves before Katrina Pierson, founder of the Garland Tea Party and co-emcee Bob Morrison, asked questions of each participant.  Audience members were then given an opportunity to pose their own questions.

Those running for County Constable, County Judge, District Attorney, State Board of Education, and State Representative participated in the question and answer session.  Other candidates were in attendance, but were not part of the Q&A.

North Garland residents Mr. and Mrs. James Ferrer attended the forum to learn more about the candidates.  “What got me here is getting more information about the local politicians…and their plans to help us improve our town and our community.  That’s the bottom line,” Mr. Ferrer said.

“It’s really important for local citizens to know who’s representing them and what they stand for…Obviously, what’s going on in Washington is insane, so we have to have to start here to let them know that we have to do something,” Mrs. Ferrer said.

Baylor Garland celebrates emergency department grand opening

Submitted by Kelly Maier / August 6, 2010

Baylor Medical Center at Garland celebrated the completion of its $10.5 million emergency department renovation project with a festive ribbon-cutting celebration Wednesday, August 4.

With an estimated 70,000 patient visits per year, the Garland ED is the second-busiest in the system. The project included extensive renovation of the existing 20,300 square feet and the addition of 4,300 square feet. The new ED features 35 private treatment rooms, dedicated radiology and laboratory services and rapid medical exam rooms. Designed for increased efficiency, the new ED is expected to dramatically reduce door-to-doc times.

Garland Mayor Ronald Jones, City Manager Bill Dollar, Deputy City Manager Martin Glenn, Baylor Garland Board of Trustees Chair Stan Luckie, Baylor Garland President Tom Trenary, and Baylor President and CEO Joel Allison were among the guests.

Congressman shares pride for district’s cities and schools

Submitted by McCall Avery, office of Congressman Sam Johnson / July 18, 2010

In a July 14 press release, Congressman Sam Johnson (3^rd District-Texas) congratulated award-winning schools and cities in his district.  He recognized the following achievements in a tribute on the floor of the U. S. House:

§         CNBC recently named Texas the top state for doing business for the second time.  According to CNBC, “They say everything in Texas is big, and that sure goes for its stature in business.  With the biggest point total in the history of our study, Texas posts a big victory as America’s Top State for Business 2010.”

 §         In a recent D Magazine feature story on the best Dallas suburbs, each of the 11 cities outside of Dallas made the list.  Parker took first place, Sachse 14^th, Rowlett 26^th, and Garland 45^th.

 §         In addition, Money Magazine recently announced the best places to live and selected three Third District cities.  The magazine crafted “its annual search for the best places in America, which this year focused on the nation's small cities (those with populations of 50,000 to 300,000). Rowlett placed 24^th in the nation.

 §         In June, Newsweek listed schools that ranked in the nation’s top 1,600.  Both Garland High School and Naaman Forest High School made the list.  To learn more, go to http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/americas-best-high-schools/list.html.

Prepared remarks for the tribute:

“I rise to honor the recent accolades of the Third Congressional District of Texas.  While I know it’s a great place to live, work and raise a family, clearly other notable and even national publications have paid attention, too.

“D Magazine put the spotlight on the Best Suburbs for Dallas.  Eleven of the 11 cities in the Third District outside of Dallas ranked among the top: Parker, Murphy, Allen, Sachse, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, McKinney, Rowlett, Richardson and Garland.

“Money Magazine just named McKinney, Texas as the 5^th most desirable place to live in the nation, while Allen took 16^th and Rowlett claimed 24^th.  In addition, Newsweek featured 10 Third District high schools in June in the America’s Best High Schools edition.

“My hat goes off to the people who make these places so special – and the leaders who had the vision and the courage to make their dreams for these communities a reality. Congratulations. God bless you and I salute you.” -- Sam Johnson

Garland chosen for SWAC tournaments

Kim Everett / July 14, 2010

The Southwestern Athletic Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted in June to accept the bid of Garland’s Special Events Center to host its men’s and women’s basketball tournament championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

On Tuesday, July 13, SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp, along with other conference officials were at the SEC for a media conference and lunch with officials including Mayor Ronald Jones, Garland Independent School District Superintendent Curtis Culwell, GISD Trustee Linda Griffin, and SEC General Manager John Wilborn.

Jones, Griffin, and Culwell are excited about SWAC’s decision to hold the tournaments in Garland.

“On behalf of the Garland City Council and the entire staff, welcome to Garland…the 10^th largest city in Texas, the 83^rd largest city in the nation.  Thank you for making Garland your choice for the next three years…We are going to make this successful.  You will not regret the decision you made,” Jones said.

GISD Trustee Linda Griffin echoed the same sentiment.  “We stand ready to assist you…SWAC keep your hats on,” she said.  “You’re here and we are going to welcome you, and we guarantee it will be a great success.”

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp is also happy with the decision.  “We are truly excited to be here at the Special Events Center.  We feel like…Garland, Texas is a great place to start to grow that relationship.  We are looking forward to working with everyone,” he said.

Garland’s Chamber of Commerce President Paul Mayer believes that the association will be beneficial to both SWAC and Garland.  “There couldn’t be a better match for the heritage of the SWAC and what Garland has to offer,” he said.

Sachse man and sons survive Arkansas flood;
sons’ heroic actions save lives

Kim Everett / June 24, 2010 -- Photos courtesy of Terry Whatley

When Terry Whatley of Sachse left for an Arkansas vacation with his sons, mother, sister, and nephew, he had no way of knowing what terrifying ordeal awaited them at the Albert Pike National Recreation Area along the Little Missouri River.

Terry grew up vacationing in this area, and when he married and had children, he and his wife Lisa, continued the tradition by taking sons Matt, 24 and Chris, 27, both graduates of Garland High School, on annual trips to the scenic, secluded camping area.  Terry, who is the golf coach at GHS, comes from a family of avid outdoors people.  His 74-year-old mother, Hertha, enjoys camping and continues to go each year, along with his sister, Shannon Powers who is a teacher at Cooper Elementary School, and her 11-year-old son Grant.

The spot is so special to the family that Terry even chose it as the place to propose to his wife 28 years ago.  It is one of the few places that offers complete relaxation.  Campers have to travel 12 miles to get cell service, and the closest town is a 30-minute drive. 

“It had been raining for a couple of days, but no one thought anything about it.  It wasn’t one of those flood type rains.  It was just steady,” Terry said. 

Some friends had arrived at the campground late on the evening of June 10, and Terry stayed up until midnight visiting with them.  Fortunately, his sons stayed up later.  Matt was on the other side of the river visiting with J.D. Quinn, a friend since high school.

“At 3 a.m. [June 11], all heck broke loose,” Terry said.  He was awakened by friends knocking on the camper door warning them of the flood.  “I stepped out into ankle-deep water,” he said.

He left to get the truck so that he could get his family out, but by the time he got to the road, the water was up to his knees.  Realizing that there was no way he could get the truck, he went back and told them that they had to get across the road to the mountainside.  “The river was right behind my camper,” he said.  “You couldn’t see it, you could just hear it.  It sounded like a train coming through there.”

When the group reached the road, the water was chest deep and moving at about 45 miles per hour.  “Of course when the water hit us, it took us down.  I had my mother, who can’t swim, and was trying to swim with my left arm,” he said 

Terry was able to stay calm, but there was a short moment when he thought they might not make it.  “There was a time when my mother was sucked under a car that was floating in the water and hit us, and I went under water to get her, and right before my son snatched me out, I was starting to think to myself, ‘This is going to be a bad way to go,” he said.  “I had a quick thought…that they were going to find us down the river.”

In addition, he was worried about his sons.  “I was so frantic about my kids.  I kept yelling and screaming for Chris.  I had to hear his voice.  I couldn’t see him, but he kept saying ‘Dad I’m here’…but when he put his hands on me, I was a lot better.”

When Chris got Terry and Hertha to safety, he went back in and got Shannon and Grant, and another little boy as well.

Once they were all safe, they sat together, along with others who had made it out, and prayed.  Then they agreed that they must hurry to higher ground.  The only way up was to find a path through the woods, so they began the trek.  Having had shoulder surgery recently, Terry was having a tough time and believes that had it not been for Chris, they wouldn’t have been able to get Hertha, who had suffered injuries when the car hit them in the water, up the mountain. 

“Once we got everybody up on the road, I looked at my oldest son and said, ‘Where’s your brother’” Terry said. 

When everyone was safe on the road, Terry and Chris went back down the mountain.  A lot of the water had gone down, but the river was still 10 feet higher than usual.  “I shined my light over to the cabin where my other son had been earlier, and it was completely gone,” Terry said.

“I started yelling for him, and finally, this light started flashing, and I was praying to God that it was my kid.  I finally saw him and knew that he and his buddy J.D. were alright.”  What Terry found out later was that they were awake when the chaos started and had run from cabin to cabin knocking on doors to wake and warn people. 

Matt would take no credit for saving the lives of an estimated 20-25 campers.  “I just did what I thought was right.  We couldn’t just let people stay there and get washed away, so we figured we’d just go down there and get them out,” he said.

“Both of my sons and their friend J.D. did things that make me so proud.  They were on the other side of the river, and they could have stayed up on the mountain where it was safe.  But they came back and started helping the rescue workers,” he said.  “And my oldest son didn’t have to go back in, yet he did.”

Lisa is proud of her sons as well.  “They made some smart decisions,” she said.  “Also, they’ve been going there so long that they were familiar with the area.” 

The family has made many special friendships at Albert Pike through the years, and those friendships are the biggest part of what makes the place special.  Three of their best friends, Kay, Bruce, and Debbie Roeder from New Orleans did not survive, which has been difficult for them. 

Terry has always been careful to make sure that his loved ones knew how he felt, but that has intensified since the flood.  “It makes you look at life differently.  It makes you realize how special family is,” he said.  “My sons get tickled at me.  I still hug and kiss them, and they are 27 and 24.  I tell my wife I love her every morning before I leave.  I send her e-mails and tell her how much I love her.  You never know when it’s time for you to go, and when it is, it is.”

The Whatley’s have always had strong faith and they know that God saved their family.  Their church family from Firewheel Church has been great.  Their pastor, Jerry Zucha, talked to Lisa on the phone half the way to Arkansas during her long drive to pick up her family and helped her stay calm. 

Under other circumstances, Lisa would have been camping with her family, but as a counselor at South Garland High School, she needed to remain in town for summer school.

Their camper was found 100 yards down the river from their campsite, and the top had been torn off by the rushing water.  They lost a good deal monetarily because their insurance does not cover flood damage.  But with Lisa’s help, Terry realized quickly that none of that was important.

“I could have lost my whole family,” Lisa said.  “I’m just so grateful.  We are so blessed.”

GPD announces online reporting system

Posted June 15, 2010

The Garland Police Department has launched a new online reporting option for its citizens. Now the public will be able to file several types of offense reports via the internet without waiting for an officer to respond.

The speed and accuracy of this web-based reporting option will result in more efficient reporting of crime and allow officers more time to address other community needs. 

Offenses currently available for online reporting include;

• Criminal mischief
• Harassing phone calls
• Identity theft
• Lost property
• Theft
• Vehicle burglary 

Once the report has been submitted the reporting person may print a temporary report. Submitted reports will be reviewed by police personnel and receive the same investigation and statistical analysis as a report filed by an officer.  When the report has been approved, the submitting party will receive an email with a copy of the report attached along with the report number.  

The reporting system can be accessed at www.garlandtx.gov/coplogic/start-report.html or by accessing the city’s web site www.garlandpolice.com and clicking on Reports/Links, then Citizen Online Reporting.

Click It or Ticket

Posted May 19, 2010

Garland police started a Click It or Ticket campaign Monday and will run the stepped up enforcement through Sunday, June 6.  The timing allows coverage for the Memorial Day Holiday and dismissal of schools for the summer. 

The Click It or Ticket campaign is a statewide law enforcement effort seeking compliance for the proper safety belt buckling of everyone when riding in a vehicle.  Statistics continue to show injuries are less severe, and deaths less likely when properly seat belted in during a car crash.  The city of Garland continues to be a leader in Texas for seatbelt compliance.

Information provided by Joe Harn, pubic information officer for the Garland Police Department