Corpus Christi Citizen Survey

Hundreds of City Pet Owners take advantage of Free Spay or Neuter Voucher Program

Corpus Christi Animal Care Services (CCACS) has given away enough free spay and neuter vouchers to pet owners to fulfill a grant made possible through the Rachel Ray 100K Challenge.

In December, employees began giving away the vouchers to cat and dog owners in the area between Old Brownsville Road and Weber Road, and State Highway 358 and Horne Road. CCACS is expecting to perform 400 to 500 surgeries between now and February thanks to the available funding. If you were issued a voucher, you will soon be contacted to schedule your pet’s surgery.

CCACS appreciates members of the community who took advantage of this program.  In the event additional funding is made available, the voucher program may be reinstated. For more information contact Interim Program Manager Steven Bly at (361) 826-4602 or at stevenb@cctexas.com.

January 12, 2015

Steven Bly

Interim Program Manager

Corpus Christi Animal Care Services

(361) 826-4602

stevenb@cctexas.com

On September 12, 2011 Officer’s responded to Villa Del Sol Condos 3938 Surfside Blvd at 6:35 p.m. for a nature unknown call. The resident called and advised that he came home from work and found blood on his bed and in the hallway and could not locate his girlfriend, victim Patricia Duling (01/07/60). When Officers forced entry into the bathroom they found Patricia deceased on the floor from stab wounds.

While detectives spoke to several individuals, a suspect was never arrested. The murder remained unsolved.

This morning the Homicide Division was contacted by the Beaumont Police Department regarding a subject claiming to have committed a murder in Corpus Christi. The case was that of Patricia Duling. Detectives worked with those in Beaumont regarding the specifics of the case. When Beaumont detectives interviewed the suspect he gave information that only someone involved would have known about.

After receiving the information Corpus Christi Detectives contacted the District Attorney’s office and obtained a Murder Warrant.

Terry Smith (01/09/55) was arrested for the murder and booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

No other information will be available today.

Captain M. Alanis

Animal Care Services is currently issuing vouchers for a FREE spay/neuter for dog and cat owners living in the following areas:

Old Brownsville/Horne/Greenwood/Hwy 358 (Molina area)
Ayers/Gollihar/Weber/McArdle
Ayers/Horne/Kostoryz/Gollihar

Any dog or cat owner living in those areas is urged to visit Animal Care Services at 2626 Holly Rd. Monday-Saturday from 8:00am to 5:00pm to receive a voucher.

Surgeries are currently being scheduled through the months of January and February with a goal of performing 400-500 surgeries in that time. Once a voucher is issued the animal owner will be contacted with a surgery date.

These free surgeries are funded through the Rachel Ray 100K challenge that was awarded to the City of Corpus Christi Animal Care Services.

UPDATED 12/2/2014 6:41pm

Based on the news stories aired locally and on the internet, it was brought to our attention that an Officer had requested Ms. Espinosa to delete the video that was recorded. We viewed the entire dashcam video and found the conversation between Officer Lockhart and Ms. Espinosa. It was discovered that Officer Lockhart did request that the video be deleted.

Officer Lockhart took full responsibility for his statement on the video and was formally disciplined for those actions.

A memo to the entire department will follow on Wednesday regarding Texas Penal Code Sec. 38.02 “Failure to Identify” and our commitment to transparency by allowing citizens who wish to photograph or record our officers in a public space.

Floyd Simpson, Chief of Police

___________________________________________________________________________

The text listed below is from the letter sent to media and internet sites regarding the internet video. The letter is attached as well. 

Response to Internet Video

Response to Internet Video

On August 16, 2014 at 3:41 a.m., Corpus Christi Police Officers were called to the Whataburger restaurant parking lot, located at 1121 Waldron Road, to back up an off-duty officer. The off-duty officer was not a Corpus Christi Police Officer, but assigned to the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office (NCDA).

A review of the incident shows that Senior Officer Jerry Lockhart arrived to assist in what had been a fight involving ten people that was no longer in progress. Officer Lockhart started to assist the off-duty NCDA officer in the investigation of the fight. He was directed to Ms. Espinosa by the off-duty NCDA officer because she had been involved in the altercation.

Ms. Espinosa refused to identify herself to CCPD Officer Lockhart or the off-duty NCDA officer.

Ms. Espinosa was restrained by the off-duty NCDA officer and detained by Officer Lockhart for “Interference with Public Duties”. The detention was based on the incident (that she had been involved in the fight, which she admitted), and not due to the fact that Ms. Espinosa was videotaping the officers.

Officer Lockhart did not witness the altercation that had occurred prior to his arrival. The off-duty NCDA officer did not charge anyone with a crime and released everyone at the scene, including Ms. Espinosa. Our officers cleared the location at 4:17 a.m.

The Corpus Christ Police Department prides itself in transparency and respects the public’s right to photograph and record in public. Our officers are trained to be respectful during police/citizen contacts and de-escalation techniques.

Furthermore, members of Corpus Christi Police Department do not interfere with citizens who wish to photograph or record our officers in the public space.

If you think that law enforcement is in your future, and you are between the ages of 14-20, join us on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 @ 6 p.m. at the Corpus Christi Police Department, 5th floor. We will be hosting an Open House for CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE EXPLORER POST #133

The Corpus Christi Police Explorers formed in 1972 as a living memorial and honor for all fallen officers after police officer John Sartain was killed by a sniper. The Explorers are affiliated with the BSA’s Learning for Life program which enhances self-confidence, motivation, civic-mindedness, and cultivates strong leadership traits. These characteristics help Explorers prepare for a career in law enforcement and to become future leaders.

If you would like more information, please visit: http://exploring.learningforlife.org/services/career-exploring/law-enforcement/.

We will have applications there, and we will be conducting backgrounds and interviews on the spot.

UPDATE: A citizen called in and gave us his information. He’s now home safe!

This evening a passerby called Officers for a young man who was walking near Sam Houston Elementary and seemed lost. Officers located him near the 1200 block of Logan. Officers are unable to communicate with him to find out where he lives. He is approximately 5’2, 180 lbs with blonde hair.

If anyone knows who he may be or knows where he may live, please call the CCPD Non Emergency number at 361-886-2600.