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.

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.