All posts by Kirk Stowers

Charlie District, Traffic Safety Division

Road and Sidewalk Construction Affects Traffic on Sarazan Drive

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering office advises citizens beginning December 17, 2012 and for approximately 10 days, weather permitting; city contractors will be doing road and sidewalk construction on Sarazen Drive.  During this period, Sarazen Drive will be closed at the Staples Street intersection, and open to through traffic at the Wooldridge Road intersection.

Traffic control devices will guide motorists through the construction site.  While the work is underway, motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible.  Motorists are also advised to observe all construction warning signs and barricades for their safety and that of construction crews.   Access to local driveways will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

For more information, please contact Traffic Engineering at 826-3547.

View more at www.cctexas.com/engineering

Email:  engineering@cctexas.com

Community Outreach

Police Participate In Shop With A Cop 2012

Corpus Christi Police Officer Brenda Garza looks through clothes sizes for a child in the Shop With A Cop Program at the Wal-Mart at Parkdale
Corpus Christi Police Officer Brenda Garza looks through clothes sizes for a child in the Shop With A Cop Program at the Wal-Mart at Parkdale

Corpus Christi Police Officers participated with other area law enforcement in the annual Shop With A Cop program put on by the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Shop With A Cop is a program in which less fortunate children have the opportunity to spend time with a uniformed police officer and receive new clothes, gifts and enjoy lunch. The money for the program is all from donations collected by the Fraternal Order of Police.

The program started in Corpus Christi in 1997 with 10 children and involved only Corpus Christi Police. Fifteen years later, the program involves all area law enforcement and hosts 410 children. The program now is scheduled over several days at several area stores. Seventy officers met December 11, 2012 at the Wal-Mart in Parkdale Plaza with 72 children.

The children area selected by school counselors or by police officers who identify a child as eligible for this program. This is a great opportunity for children to interact with uniformed police officers in a positive environment to develop the understanding that police officers are available for help with problems.

Anyone interested to donate to the Shop With A Cop Program may call 361-442-4787 or send correspondence to Post Office Box 440, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78403.

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Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

Pedestrian Struck By Car On Leopard Street

Occurred Friday, December 7, 2012, 23:35, Clarkwood Road at Leopard Street, Vehicle Crash with fatal injury, C1209317

                A 32-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle on the 9000 block of Leopard Street and suffered a fatal injury.

A gold 2000 Ford Taurus operated by a 40-year-old man traveled east on the 9000 block of Leopard Street at 11:35pm. The weather was clear visibility, but the area was a dark and unlighted. The Taurus struck a 32-year-old pedestrian in the roadway.

The 32-year-old woman did not survive the crash and was not transported to the hospital. No citations or criminal charges have been filed, and the investigation continues.

Corpus Christi Police would like to remind drivers to be safe. Pedestrians can be found anytime, and anywhere; even in places they are not supposed to be found. Pedestrians can be hard to see especially at night or in bad weather.

Pedestrians are encouraged to be predictable; stay off freeways. Pedestrians should use sidewalks where provided and cross or enter streets where it is legal. Where no sidewalks are provided, it is usually safer to walk facing oncoming traffic. It is best to dress in light colors and carry a flashlight in dark areas.

Adam District, Traffic Safety Division

48 Year Old Man Arrested For DWI After Single Vehicle Crash At IH 37 and McKenzie

Occurred Friday, December 7, 2012, 19:55, 10602 Interstate Highway 37 Driving While Intoxicated 1212070162

                A 48-year-old man was arrested Friday night for Driving While Intoxicated after he was involved in a single vehicle crash that destroyed a directional post and a cross walk box and post.

A blue 2000 Jeep Wrangler driven by 48-year-old Ricardo Ruiz (7/14/1964) traveled west on the 10400 block of the Interstate Highway 37 access road on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 7:55pm. The Jeep left the roadway to the left, struck a pole, then went through the intersection of the access road and McKenzie Road, and then struck a second pole. The Jeep rolled onto its top and did not strike any other vehicle or person.

A 52-year-old witness helped Ruiz out of the Jeep and told police there were no other people involved in the crash.

Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officers discovered evidence that Ruiz was intoxicated. Ruiz was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries. Corpus Christi Police Investigators gathered evidence and Ruiz was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Ruiz was released from the hospital and delivered to the city detention center.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Cab Driver Discovers Injured Man On 4700 Leopard Street

Occurred Saturday, December 8, 2012, 4:15am, 4700 Leopard Street, Aggravated Assault 1212080046

                A 48-year-old man was taken to the hospital by ambulance Saturday morning for treatment for a serious injury after he was found on the 4700 block of Leopard Street by a 48-year-old taxi cab driver.

The cab driver called Corpus Christi Police at 4:15 am to check on a man who laid in the middle of the street.  The 48-year-old man had an obvious injury and was not conscious. Emergency Medical Technicians took the 48-year-old man directly to the hospital for treatment.

Corpus Christi Police Investigators believe the injuries to the 48-year-old man were caused by an other person and would like help from the public to identify any person who may be responsible for the injury.

Anyone with any additional information about this crime should call the Corpus Christi Police Department at 886-2841. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8744) or online at http://www.888TIPS.com.

Adam District

Utility Work on Tuloso and Suntide Roads

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering office advises residents beginning Monday, December 10, 2012 and Tuesday, December 11, 2012, weather permitting; contractors will close Tuloso Road and Suntide Road to through traffic from Up-River Road to IH-37 westbound frontage road.  Contractors will be closing one road each day and are scheduled to work between the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Traffic control devices will guide motorists through the construction site.  While the work is underway, motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible.  Motorists are also advised to observe all construction warning signs and barricading for their safety and that of construction crews.   Access to local driveways will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.

For more information, please contact Traffic Engineering at 826-3547.

Delta District, Patrol Division

Police Officer Rescues Dog On Lunch Break At Cole Park

Senior Officer Jason Lee pulls dog to safety
Senior Officer Jason Lee pulls the dog to safety
Senior Officer Jason Lee stands with the dog moments after the rescue
Senior Officer Jason Lee stands with the dog moments after the rescue

Occurred Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 12:30pm, 1500 Ocean Drive at Cole Park

                A dog was rescued from the water by a Corpus Christi Police Officer on his lunch break at Cole Park Wednesday afternoon.

Corpus Christi Police Senior Officer Jason Lee took his lunch break at the 1500 block of Ocean Drive at Cole Park at about 12:30 in the afternoon. A woman attracted Officer Lee’s attention and said her dog fell into the water and was unable to get out of the water.

Officer Lee saw a Doberman splash in the water and become fatigued and unable to get out of the water because of a vertical cliff next to the water. The dog had fallen off of the cliff into the water and was unable to get out.

Officer Lee reached over the ledge and pulled the dog to safety.

Traffic Safety Division

City Road Closures for December 8-14, 2012

New – Bronco Road (Between Highway 44 and Sedwick Road)

Tuesday – Friday

City work crews will close Bronco Road to through traffic beginning December 11, 2012 for four days.  Bronco will be closed to traffic at the Sedwick Road intersection, and open to thru traffic at the Highway 44 intersection.

New – North Beach Burleson Road between Surfside and Timon

Monday – Friday

On December 10, 2012, weather permitting; contractors will start work on the Chaparral Improvement city project.  The intersection of Chaparral Street and Schatzell Street will be closed to traffic.  Chaparral Street between Lawrence Street and Schatzell Street; and Schatzell Street between Water Street and Chaparral Street will be designated as a No through Traffic- Parking Only zone.  Motorists traveling on northbound Chaparral may detour onto eastbound Lawrence Street to Water Street; and the westbound traffic on Schatzell may detour onto Water Street.

New – McBride Lane (Between Leopard Street and IH-37 Eastbound Frontage Road)

Monday – Friday

James Street and Erin Drive:  Erin Drive will be closed at the McBride intersection.  Access to James Street and Erin Drive will be through the IH-37 frontage road, and both streets – James and Erin – will be closed to through traffic.

New – Staples Street (Williams Street to Saratoga Boulevard)

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

The Wooldridge Road traffic will be shifted onto the eastbound lanes and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the Staples Street Intersection.  Staples Street will have the center lane closed to traffic with two lanes of traffic open in each direction beginning north of Wooldridge Road to Holly Road.  In addition, contractors will reduce the southbound Staples Street traffic to one lane 200 feet south of La Costa Drive intersection.

North Beach Burleson Road between Surfside and Timon

Monday – Friday Beginning December 3, 2012 through December 14, 2012, weather permitting; contractors will be doing sidewalk repairs on Burleson Street between Surfside Boulevard and Timon Boulevard.

McBride Lane:  McBride Lane will be closed to traffic between IH-37 frontage road and Hampshire Road.  Eastbound traffic on IH-37 frontage road will be detour onto to southbound Navigation Boulevard, onto westbound Leopard Street, to McBride Lane.   Traffic on McBride Lane will be detoured onto westbound Hampshire Road to South Padre Island Drive.

Leopard Street Westbound between Warpath Street and Lois Lane

Monday – Friday

Beginning on Thursday, November 29, 2012, and for approximately two weeks, weather permitting; city contractors will be doing hydro excavation along westbound Leopard Street between Warpath Street and Lois Lane.  During this period, westbound Leopard Street traffic will be periodically reduced to one lane of traffic between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. each day.

Sanitary Sewer Line Inspection and Cleaning

Tuesday

Beginning November 13, 2012, contractors will be doing Sanitary Sewer Line Inspection and Cleaning on various city streets to include Everhart Road, Gollihar Road, and Hugo Drive.  Expect various lane closures.

Northbound Staples Street (Booty Street – Lipan Street)

Monday – Friday

Beginning October 1, 2012 and for the next five weeks contractors will be doing utility work on Staples Street.  Work crews will periodically reduce northbound Staples Street traffic to one lane between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.

Kostoryz Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Northbound Kostoryz Road traffic will be shifted onto the southbound lanes between S.P.I.D. and Sunnybrook Road, and again shifted onto the northbound lanes approximately 500 feet past Sunnybrook. Traffic, on these two sections of Kostoryz Road, will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction.   In addition, traffic on eastbound McArdle Road will be shifted onto the westbound lane where traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the Kostoryz Road intersection.

Up River Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

The westbound traffic on Up River Road will be closed to traffic and the eastbound traffic will remain one-way traffic between Dunn-Meany Road and Dunn Lane.  In addition, Up River Road westbound traffic will be detoured onto southbound Dunn Lane, onto southbound Navigation Boulevard, onto the westbound IH-37 frontage road, onto northbound Dunn-Meany Road to Up River Road.

Bear Lane 

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Bear Lane will be closed to traffic from the business center’s east driveway to Fortune Drive, and open to traffic from Fortune Drive to Navigation Boulevard.  In addition, Flato Road will be closed to through traffic from Bates Street to the West Oso High School’s staff parking driveway, and closed to traffic from the staff parking driveway to Bear Lane.  Meanwhile, Fortune Drive and Cliff Maus Drive will respectively be open to allow traffic from Enterprize Parkway and Old Brownsville Road to the Oso Middle School.

Airline Road

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

Traffic on Airline Road is closed to traffic between Cousteau Lane and Walls Street.  The southbound traffic detour to Cimarron Boulevard is though Cousteau Lane, onto southbound Paris Drive to La Bianca Drive; while at the same time, the northbound Airline traffic detour to Walls Street is through westbound Lipes Boulevard, onto northbound Giants Drive to Walls Street.  Residents on Sonoma Drive and Mendocino Drive will be detoured onto eastbound Vineyard Drive, onto southbound Nacogdoches Drive, onto eastbound Brooke Road to Rodd Field Road.   Airline Road between Lipes Boulevard and Rodd Field has been closed.

Staples Street and Weber Road/Doddridge Street

Saturday – Friday (24-hour closure)

New – Beginning on Friday, November 2, 2012, and for approximately six weeks, weather permitting; City contractors will be doing road work on Staples Street between Weber Road/Doddridge Street intersection and Peerman Place. As this project is ongoing, southbound traffic on this section of Staples Street will be shifted onto the northbound lane and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Staples Street (Leopard Street to Six Points)

Monday – Friday

Either the northbound or southbound Staples Street traffic will be periodically reduced to one lane.

Charlie District, Patrol Division

Police Patrol Dogs Safely Catch Robbery Suspect on Naples Street

Occurred Tuesday, December 04, 2012, 9:12am 4300 Ayers Street, Aggravated Robbery 1212040039

                A 37-year-old man was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the 4600 block of Naples Street for Aggravated Robbery after he was tracked by the Corpus Christi Police Patrol dogs.

A man went into a store located at 4346 Ayers Street displayed a hand gun and demanded money. The 50-year-old woman employee gave into the demand and the man left. No person was injured in the event.  The woman called police and provided a description of the man who robbed the store.

Corpus Christi Police patrol officers quickly responded and located a man who matched the description provided by the 50-year-old woman. The man ran from the officers into the neighborhood of the 4600 block of Naples Street. The patrol officers surrounded the suspect and requested the services of the Corpus Christi Police Patrol dogs.

The dogs arrived and found 37-year-old Richard Jaquez (4/5/1975) hidden under a house. Jaquez was arrested for Aggravated Robbery, Evading Arrest, and for a warrant of arrest for not paying child support.

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

Traffic Safety Division Enforces Speed Restrictions In Area Of Most Crashes

The Corpus Christi Police Departments Traffic Safety Division has taken action to reduce the quantity of vehicle crashes at the area with the highest risk for crashes in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Police have worked the majority of the vehicle crashes in 2012 at the 2500 block of State Highway 181 in the southbound lanes of the Harbor Bridge. The cause of the crashes most often are excessive speed.

The Corpus Christi Police Departments Traffic Safety Division set up for three and a half hours of speed enforcement on November 29 and wrote 108 speeding citations. The goal of the Traffic Safety Division is to reduce the risk of vehicle crashes to enhance public safety and promote the effective flow of traffic on the public rights of way.

The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue speed enforcement and desire to spread the message for the public to obey speed restrictions and arrive at their destination safely.