Safety is a shared responsibility for all road users, to ensure pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety. In an effort to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe,” we are asking the community to place a high priority in traveling safely to prevent accident related fatality tragedies.

The Corpus Christi Police Department encourages pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists to follow these Safety Tips:

Pedestrians

• Before crossing a roadway, stop, look, listen, and think before crossing the road.
• Pedestrians, never assume the motorist has seen you and will stop for you. If a driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
• Always cross at a pedestrian marked cross walk or at a traffic signal light.
• Be seen. At night wear light-colored clothing and cross in a well-lit area.
• Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.
• Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON’T WALK signs.

Cyclist

• Ride with the traffic flow
• Obey all traffic laws
• Bicycles must have a front and rear light
• Wear light clothing and reflective vest, especially at night
• Pay attention at all times
• Look both ways before turning
• Lookout for parked cars in case of

Motorists are encouraged to always be aware of your surroundings, be alert, patient, and watch for pedestrians and cyclist at all times.

Motorists

• Scan the road and the sides of the road ahead for potential pedestrians.
• Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians crossing.
• Don’t drive distracted or after consuming alcohol or other drugs. Do not use your cell phone while driving.
• Never pass/overtake a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
• Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at a STOP sign.
• Use extra caution when driving near children playing along the street, or older pedestrians who may not see or hear you.
• Always be prepared to stop for pedestrians or take immediate evasive actions to prevent a serious accident. 

On February 13^th, Corpus Christi Police Senior Officer Enrique Roman was seriously injured while he investigating a motor vehicle accident in the 5000 block of South Padre Island Dr. The officer was struck by a stray wheel and tire that apparently became dislodge from a passing vehicle. The Police Department did not have any information on where the tire came from or how it happened.

The community stepped up and several calls came into the Police Department about the incident. The Police Department was able to find out after talking to several witnesses that the tire came off a large trailer and the driver did not know what happened.  When the police and community work together police investigations can be solved.

In the past several weeks the Police Department has seen an increase in traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bike riders being struck by vehicles. The Police Department needs your help in solving these accidents that have occurred in the past several weeks.

The first one happened on February 1^st in the 700 block of Park Avenue around 9:42AM. A pedestrian was found lying on the roadway with critical injuries from having been struck by a vehicle. Witnesses tell investigators that a red truck was traveling east on Park Avenue when the victim ran out into the street not in a cross walk and was struck by the truck.

The second one was a fatality accident that occurred on February 11^th in the 7300 block of McArdle around 9:39PM. The pedestrian was walking westbound on McArdle when she was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. A white pickup or large SUV was seen traveling westbound at the time of the accident.  The vehicle may have some minor damage to the right front.

The third was also a fatality accident that occurred on February 16^th at the corner of North Brownlee & Caldwell around 9:20PM. This accident involved a man riding his bicycle north on Brownlee when an unknown vehicle struck him from behind, throwing him off the bike. There was no information on the vehicle that hit the bike rider.

The Police department is reaching out to the community to help in solving these terrible accidents. If anyone one with any information regarding these accidents please call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or the Police Department Traffic Division Hit & Run Section at 361-886-2596.

As stated above when the Police Department asked the public for help in the accident involving Senior Officer Roman, the public promptly helped out.  We ask the community to aid us again and help solve these Hit & Runs.  Remember, we can’t do it alone and seek your assistance.

        The City of Corpus Christi has had six fatality accidents so far this year, last year at this time we had nine. This year several have involved bike riders and pedestrians. The Police Department reminds pedestrians to walk against traffic and where light-colored clothes at night or a reflective vest. If you are riding a bike, the traffic code states at night the bike will have lights on the front and back. You should ride with traffic and also where light-colored clothing or a reflective vest.  Drivers also need to be on the lookout for bikes and people on the road.

City Manager, Ron Olson, announced his selection today to fill the Corpus Christi Police Department Police Chief position as Mr. Floyd D. Simpson of Dallas, Texas.  “Mr. Simpson has a strong commitment to community policing,” said Ron Olson. “There is no doubt he will be able to continue the great work started in Corpus Christi but also help the department become the benchmark to other cities,” added Olson. Mr. Simpson’s appointment will begin March 12, 2012.

Mr. Simpson is currently the Assistant Police Chief in Dallas, Texas. He has over 20 years of policing experience including serving as an Assistant Chief of Police over both administration and patrol divisions during his tenure. Along with day-to-day activities of Assistant Police Chief, Simpson has also been involved in key projects including NFL Super Bowl XLV, community policing 2.0 back to patrol initiative and contributing to the historical 8 consecutive years of overall crime reduction in Dallas. Simpson is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree, Amber University with a Master of Business Administration and the 214^th session of the FBI National Academy. He has been married for 24 years and has four children.

“I’m looking forward to calling Corpus Christi home. The department has really come a long way and I want to keep the momentum going,” said Floyd Simpson.  “The community is making a difference in policing and I’m seeing it first hand in Corpus Christi. I think it will be great fit for me and my family,” added Simpson. The City is currently planning a public reception to allow residents an opportunity to meet the new police chief and his wife. As details are finalized an announcement will be made public.

City Manager, Ron Olson, announced the five candidates selected for interviews for the City of Corpus Christi Chief of Police earlier today. The selection process began in December when former Police Chief Troy Riggs was promoted to Assistant City Manager of Safety, Health and Neighborhoods. The national search for the next Chief of Police was conducted by the Police Executive Search Forum. The Chief of Police oversees the Police Department with 451 sworn officers, 260 civilians and a budget of over $70 million. The five candidates include:

Joel F. Fitzgerald, Sr. of Missouri City, Texas – Over 20 years of law enforcement experience. Most recent experience includes Chief of Police for Missouri City and the City of Philadelphia Police Department.

Geraldine J. Garcia of San Antonio, Texas – Over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Most recent experience includes Assistant Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police with the City of San Antonio Police Department.

Sean Mannix of Austin, Texas – Over 29 years of law enforcement experience. Most recent experience includes Assistant Chief of Police with the City of Austin.

Floyd D. Simpson of Dallas, Texas – Over 25 years of law enforcement experience. Most recently as the Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Dallas.

Mark Schauer of Corpus Christi, Texas – Over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Most recent experience includes Commander of Support Services and Commander of Uniform Division for the Corpus Christi Police Department.

Corpus Christi Police Department South Side Directed Patrol Officer Javier Cantu and the entire 70^th CCPD Police Academy class will spend the day assisting two elderly females in beautifying and cleaning out their home.  One of the females is bedridden, while the other female takes care of her.

Adult Protective Services had to remove the ladies from the home until their residence is deemed fit to live in again.  While Officers and the Cadets are cleaning up the home, Adult Protective Service have provided these ladies a place to stay until they can return home.

The 70^th Police Academy volunteered for this community police project and overwhelmingly agreed that it was the right thing to do and part of their job as public servants.  The cadets feel helping the citizens of Corpus Christi is one of the reasons they want to be Police Officers.

All Officers and Cadets will meet at the Corpus Christi Police Department Training Center, 4510 Corona, Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.  They will go from the Training Center to the home, where the work will begin.

Hoops for Blue Scholars

In an effort to raise money for a scholarship designed to help Corpus Christi Police Officers, the Corpus Christi Police Department and Texas A&M University Corpus Christi have teamed up once again.

On Saturday February 11, 2012, the 2^nd Annual “Hoops for Scholars” basketball game will be played.  The TAMUCC Islander men’s basketball team will be playing Sam Houston State Bearkats in a Conference game at the American Bank Center.  As a way to raise money for the Scholarship, a ‘pledge per basket’ system has been set up. 

If someone pledges $2.00 per basket (two & three pointers only), and the Islanders make 23 baskets, the total donation would be $46.00.  The more the Islanders score, the more money that goes into the scholarship.  The ability to make a one-time donation is also available.  

The Scholarship is beneficial to the men and women who serve the Corpus Christi community, risking their lives to keep others safe.  The children of Corpus Christi Police Officers can also apply for the scholarship.

Please make a pledge and join us at the game.  This will be easy to do, since those who pledge get a free ticket.  The game should be an exciting rematch to the January 21^st game where the Islanders beat the Bearkats, 50-to-49, in Huntsville after a last second jump shot.  The Islander victory came after overcoming a 16-point lead by the Bearkats in the 2^nd half.

Come out and help Corpus Christi Police Officers cheer for the Islanders.

Make a pledge or get more information on the TAMUCC Website: http://hoops.tamucc.edu/

TAMUCC Islanders -vs- Sam Houston State Bearkats

Day:  Saturday February 11, 2012

Time:  1:00 PM

Location:  American Bank Center

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, a total of 96 cars will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department Vehicle Impound Lot located at 2600 Holly Road during our monthly auction. Approximately 14 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, February 3, 2012, the general public will be allowed to register and view the vehicles to be auctioned from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no registration fee.

On the day of the auction, the general public can continue to register and view the vehicles from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  The auction will commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. The vehicles to be auctioned can be viewed at www.siskauction.com. An auction list may also be downloaded from the same website.

The department’s strong stand and enforcement of this “Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative” will continue and all vehicles involved in accidents will be impounded and the driver cited if they are unable to provide financial proof of insurance. Driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility checkpoints will continue to be conducted at the Shift Captains’ authorization.

Officers issued 5,498 citations and impounded 1,212 vehicles for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility during 2011.  During January 2012, Officers issued 480 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility.

The Corpus Christi Police Department honored several members from its rank and file today with a retirement ceremony.

The citizen of Corpus Christi lost a total of 392 years of community service experience today when 16 employes retired from the department. These individuals include both civilian and sworn personal from several different units within the department.

Civilian                                                       Sworn

Gail Colman – CSR                                     Stephen Mylett – Asst. Chief

Maria Carmona – SSA                              Nancy Lee – Lt.

Inez Comfort – CG                                     Ronald Ordner – Lt.

Shannon Dukes – Metr.                           Tony Acevedo – S/O

Olga Hinojosa – SSA                                 Charles Bartels – S/O

Debby Hughes – CSR                                Michael Degado – S/O

Bill Noonan – CSR                                     Chistopher Hunter – S/O

                                                                         Michael Trimyer – S/O

                                                                         Yolanda Trujillo – S/O

Each of the retires received a plaque honoring their time of service from Chief of Police Badaracco, along with a warm reception from current and retired personal from the department.

On behalf of the Corpus Christi Police Department, we want to congratulate each and every one of you on your retirement. We are grateful for your hard work and dedication, for each one of you have left an everlasting mark that makes this police department what it is today.