Did you know that today is Safer Internet Day? Let’s start the conversation about SMART Parenting Tips for Online Safety. There are resources and support available to help you.

We want to work together for a Safer Internet for our children. Please follow the following #internetsafety

SETUP DEVICES, ACCOUNTS AND PASSWORDS.
It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons. Overall, knowing how to set up a device empowers parents to create a safe and healthy digital environment for their kids. It allows them to strike a balance between protecting their children and allowing them to explore the online world in a responsible and beneficial way. While knowing how to use parental controls and security features is essential, it goes beyond technical knowledge. Parents should also be familiar with current online trends, dangers, and age-appropriate content to effectively guide and advise their children on safe and responsible digital citizenship. Remember, technology evolves rapidly, so it is important for parents to stay informed and adapt their strategies as needed to ensure their children’s continued safety and well-being in the digital world.

MONITOR ALL ONLINE USE AND CONNECTIONS.
Monitoring your children’s online use and connections isn’t about spying, it’s about striking a crucial balance between protecting them from potential harm and fostering their digital independence. Monitoring your children’s online use and connections is an ongoing process, an investment in their safety, well-being, and digital citizenship. By striking the right balance and focusing on open communication, you can empower your children to navigate the online world safely and confidently.

APPROVE ALL GAMES AND APPS.
Parents’ approval of their children’s apps and games is crucial for several reasons and goes beyond simply saying “yes” or “no.” It’s about creating a safe and enriching digital environment that fosters safety, security, healthy development, trust and communication. Approving apps together creates opportunities for open communication about online activities. Discuss the reasons behind your decisions, explain potential risks, and set expectations for responsible use. This builds trust and strengthens parent-child relationships.

RESTRICT CONNECTIONS AND PERMISSIONS.
It’s incredibly important for parents to restrict their child’s access to inappropriate content. It’s about creating a safe and age-appropriate online environment where children can explore and learn while being protected from potential harm. Here are some helpful approaches: • Open communication: Talk to your children about the dangers of inappropriate content and set clear expectations for their online behavior. • Parental control tools: Utilize parental control features offered by devices and platforms to filter content, limit screen time, and monitor online activity. • Age-appropriate resources: Choose websites, apps, and games specifically designed for children’s age and developmental needs.

TALK – START THE CONVERSATION AND TEACH YOUR CHILDREN.
Open and repeated conversations are your most powerful tool for online safety. By prioritizing open and repeated conversations about online safety, you can equip your children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Think of it as an investment in their future, just like teaching them any other important life skill. Technology and online trends evolve rapidly, making it impossible for parents to know everything. Having ongoing conversations about online safety allows you to stay updated on the latest trends, apps, and challenges kids might face. You can adjust your guidance accordingly. Remember, these conversations don’t have to be one-sided lectures. Here are some tips for making them more engaging and effective: • Start early and adapt the conversation to your child’s age and development. • Make it a natural part of everyday life, not just a one-time event. • Ask open-ended questions and actively listen to their concerns. • Use real-life examples and relatable scenarios to illustrate your points. • Focus on teaching them strategies for staying safe, not just scaring them. • Be open to learning from them as well.

For additional information and resources, please see:
https://icactaskforce.org/internetsafety
https://saferinternetday.us/

#SID2024 #SaferInternetDay #StartTheConversation #InternetSafety

Senior Officer Andrea Lenortavage is a ten-year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department and began her career in August 2013 as a cadet of the 72nd Police Academy. Senior Officer Lenortavage has spent her career in the Uniform Division as a Patrol Officer and was promoted to Senior Officer on March 26, 2019.

During her career, Senior Officer Lenortavage has been selected for numerous awards: Adam District Officer of the Month (December 2014), Letter of Commendation (September 2016), Letter of Recognition (September 2017), Letter of Recognition (August 2018), Letter of Recognition (September 2018), Bravo District Officer of the Month (November 2018), Adam District Officer of the Month (November 2019), and Letter of Recognition (July 2022). On November 28, 2022, Senior Officer Lenortavage received the Life Saving Award for her actions on November 4, 2022, where she arrived on scene of an unconscious subject and provided CPR to the subject until medics arrived. Her actions assisted medics in regaining the subject’s pulse on scene and were directly responsible for the saving of a human life.

Senior Officer Lenortavage assists the Department’s efforts in recruiting and has been on numerous recruiting trips throughout the State of Texas. At one time during her career, she was part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run team where she attended the Special Olympics South Texas Games. She has also served as a Field Training Officer.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Senior Officer Lenortavage loves spending time with her family, enjoys reading and traveling.

At approximately 3:09 am on Friday, June 2, 2023, officers were dispatched to the 3800 block of Pennine Way reference an injured party.   Upon arrival officers located a juvenile female outside of the residence with serious injuries. Responding officers administered life savings measures on scene until medic units arrived, at which point the victim was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.  Investigators with our Criminal Investigation Division arrived on scene as this was determined to be a Homicide Investigation.  

Through their investigation, Homicide Investigators quickly identified a suspect and were able to determine that the parties were known to each other. Detectives secured a directive to apprehend for a juvenile male in connection with the Murder. 

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, an attorney for the juvenile male identified the whereabouts of the offender and arranged for the juvenile male to turn himself in.  

At approximately 11:51 am, the juvenile male was taken into custody without incident and has since been transported to the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center.  

If you have any information about this murder, please call Corpus Christi Police Robbery & Homicide Detectives at (361) 886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

Nueces County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help to locate Rigoberto Alvarez who has an outstanding warrant out of Nueces County for Assault Causes Bodily Injury of a Family Member ($5,000 Bond).

Rigoberto is described as a 49-year-old male, who stands 5’11” feet, weighs approximately 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Rigoberto, call Crime Stoppers at (361)888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

You may also contact the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office at (361) 887-2239 or (361) 887-2219 after 5:00 pm.

You are invited to attend the Corpus Christi Police Department Practice Physical Assessment Test (PAT) on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, for the upcoming CCPD 83rd Police Academy, which is projected to begin in September of this year.

The practice test will take place at the Main Police Station located at 321 John Sartain, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. Applicants will meet us at the gated entrance directly across from Whataburger on the Bay (Water Street side of the building).

Check in time will be between 5:00 pm – 5:15 pm. During the practice test, instructors will explain and demonstrate each phase of the physical fitness test.

Officers will also be available to answer any questions you have about any phase of the testing and hiring process. Applicants who successfully complete the course will receive a PAT waiver that will be valid for up to 30 days. That means you will only need to pass the written examination on your scheduled test date.

Please report to the test site in physical fitness attire and have your state-issued identification card or driver’s license with you.

For more information or to rsvp for the Practice PAT call 361-886-2626.

*CAPTURED* May 18, 2023.

Thanks to the collaboration of the community, fugitive Joshua Rios was arrested without incident at a residence on Martin Luther King Dr. Corpus Christi, by the United States Marshal Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force.

The Unites States Deputy Marshals are asking for your help to locate and apprehend Joshua Rios. Fugitive Rios is wanted for Burglary and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Fugitive Rios criminal record includes Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Robbery, Terroristic Threat, Fail to Identify among others. It is believed Fugitive Rios is in the Corpus Christi area. He is considered armed and dangerous and a threat to the community.

Rios is described as 28-year-old male, who is 6’00 “Ft tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

If you know how to locate Rios, call Crime Stoppers at (361)888-TIPS (8477) or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

You may also contact the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitives Task Force at (361) 267-6500.

Due to the rainfall we are currently experiencing, please watch out for flooding.

We want our community to be safe as they travel on the roadways.

Please stay home if possible.

If you have to travel, drive slower than usual so that you have time to react to other traffic on the roadway.

Turn on your head lights so that you are visible to other vehicles and pedestrians.

Be aware of possible flooding in low lying areas.
Do not drive around barricades or through flooded streets.

The following areas currently experiencing flooding. Please avoid these areas if possible as several vehicles are currently stalled.

4500 Baldwin Blvd

Greenwood at SPID

Greenwood at Horne

Yorktown at Staples

Please drive safely.

At approximately 5:44 PM Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Shoreline, reference a possible active shooter at a local hotel.

Corpus Christi Police Officers responded accordingly and meticulously with the details they were initially provided with.

The hotel was cleared by police personnel.  We can confirm that there is no active threat and there are no injuries.  We can also confirm that this call was determined to be a hoax, the source of the call is currently being investigated.  

Mr. Jackson has been located. He is safe and reunited with family.

Corpus Christi Police would like help from the public to locate a missing, elderly person.  81-year-old Jessie Jackson was reported missing by family members.

Mr. Jackson was last seen at approximately 9:00 pm on May 4, 2023 on the 4800 block of S Alameda.   At approximately 5:30 am this morning, Mr. Jackson was observed to have been missing from the residence.  Mr. Jackson is most likely on foot and it is unknown what he may be wearing.   

Mr. Jackson is described as an 81-year-old male, who stands 6’00”, weighs approximately 200 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. 

If you have any information or see Mr. Jackson, please call Corpus Christi Police Department directly by calling 911 or (361) 886-2600.

Due to the expected rainfall, please watch out for flooding.

We want our community to be safe as they travel on the roadways.

Please stay home if possible.  

If you have to travel, drive slower than usual so that you have time to react to other traffic on the roadway.

Turn on your head lights so that you are visible to other vehicles and pedestrians.

Be aware of possible flooding in low lying areas.

Do not drive around barricades or through flooded streets.

The following areas currently experiencing flooding.  Please avoid these areas if possible.  Several vehicles are currently stalled.  

Access road along SPID both eastbound and westbound are affected including:  Ayers, Kostoryz, Weber, Staples, Airline, Rodd Field and Waldron.

500 block of Old Robstown is closed off due to flooding.  

McArdle at Shopping Way 

7100 block of Rodd Field

Please drive safely.