Category Archives: Community Outreach

Community Outreach

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT FOR NUECES COUNTY RESIDENTS

August 28, 2012

From:  Roeanne Peppard, Health District Information Aide, 361-826-7292; email RoeanneP@cctexas.com

Contact Person:  William Burgin, Jr., M.D., Local Health Authority, 633-1324 

 

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT FOR NUECES COUNTY RESIDENTS

            The Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District reports that it has received confirmation of the first West Nile death in a human from the Texas Department of State Health Services.  This is the first confirmed death of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Nueces County in 2012.  Nueces County has been upgraded to Risk Level 4, indicating that the probability of human outbreak of WNV is at a higher risk.

            According to health officials, the patient was a female between the ages of 45 and 60 who was hospitalized locally and then transferred to a neighboring city hospital due to co-morbidities.  The patient’s condition worsened and patient expired on Monday, August 27, 2012.

Dr.  William Burgin, Jr., Local Health Authority, alerts all residents to take necessary preventative measures to lower their risk.   “Stay indoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitos are most active.  If you must be outdoors during these times, dress in pants and long-sleeves and apply insect repellent that contains DEET”, states Dr. Burgin.

            According to Dr. Mobley, Local Health Authority for San Patricio County, “WNV risk is high between neighboring counties even though we have not had a positive human case”.  Because mosquitos can travel on people, in vehicles, etc., Dr. Mobley is advising San Patricio citizens as well as neighboring counties to follow the listed precautions.

            West Nile Virus is a disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, rather than

by person-to-person contact.  In Texas, there have been 783 human cases reported of West Nile Virus and a total of 31 deaths in 2012.  Nueces County has had three human cases and one death in 2012.

Health Officials advise residents to follow the 4 Ds:

  • Dusk and Dawn are the times of day to avoid outdoor activities
  • Dress in long sleeves and pants when outside
  • DEET is an ingredient to look for in an insect repellent
  • Drain standing water in old tires, flowerpots and clogged rain gutters

Residents can keep mosquitoes outside by fixing or installing window and door screens.

Not everyone who gets infected with WNV will have any symptoms.  Up to 20 percent of people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, even though healthy people have become sick for several weeks.

Serious symptoms in a few people include high fever, headache, neck stiffness stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may bepermanent.

Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

Health District officials urge anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should see their doctor.  Although all Nueces County residents and neighboring areas are at risk of getting West Nile Virus, persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

Bravo District, Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division

Three Men Injured During Home Invasion

Occurred on 8/28/12, 4:23 am   Aggravated Assault    15600 Cruiser      1208280018/1208280023 

Officers responded to Bay Area Hospital for a walk-in assault victim who been taken to the hospital by his roommate.  Upon their arrival, Officers found the victim being treated with serious facial and head injuries.   

Further investigation revealed, the three victims were asleep when several masked men entered the residence and began assaulting them.  The men demanded the victims’ money and fled taking one of the victim’s silver 2003 Mercedes CK5. 

The 22-year-old victim was transferred from Bay Area to Spohn Memorial due to the seriousness of his injuries. The other two victims, 22 and 23 years of age were treated by CCFD Emergency Personnel and released.

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888TIPS.com.  Callers will earn a cash reward if the suspects are arrested.

Community Outreach, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Do You Need a Car for your Labor Day Getaway? Stop By and Check Out our Monthly Auction

The C.C.P.D.’s commitment to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe” has continued with its
“Zero Tolerance No Insurance Initiative”

On Saturday, September 1, 2012, a total of 86 cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department new Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive during our monthly auction. The new site has four paved acres for an auction lot. 

Approximately 16 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, August 31, 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. on September 1, 2012.   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 5,509 citations and impounded 1,212 vehicles for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility during 2011. During August 1-27, 2012, Officers issued 266 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and impounded 61 vehicles for the same charge.

Community Outreach

Fire Department Wins Annual Guns & Hoses Blood Drive

Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha accepts the trophy for area Fire Departments for collecting the most units of blood in the Guns & Hoses blood drive

Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha accepted the 11th annual Guns & Hoses trophy in a presentation at the Fire Department head quarters Monday morning.

The Guns & Hoses competition is an annual blood drive that started July 9, this year. The friendly competition is between the area law enforcement and area fire departments in an effort to encourage the public to donate to the Coastal Bend Blood Center.

The Coastal Bend Blood Center is an independent non-profit community based blood center. The Coastal Bend Blood Center recognized the law enforcement and fire department agencies at an awards presentation in which Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha accepted the trophy from Blood Center Representative Leticia Mondragon.

The area fire departments that participated in the blood drive are the Corpus Christi Refinery Terminal Fire Company, The Corpus Christi Fire Department, The Naval Air Station Fire & Emergency Services, The Robstown Fire Department, and the Kingsville Fire Department. The Fire Departments combined effort collected 283 units of blood.

The area law enforcement that participated in the blood drive are local border patrol, the Corpus Christi Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Public Safety. The law enforcement combined effort collected 216 units of blood.

The Corpus Christi Police Department thank all who participated in this event to raise 499 units of blood for the patients and hospitals in the Coastal Bend!

Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson and Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha hold the Guns & Hoses trophy

 

Community Outreach, Traffic Safety Division

Police Enforce Cell Phone Safety In School Zones

The Corpus Christi Police Department shares parents concern about the safety of our children on their way to school. The Texas Transportation Code states that all drivers are prohibited from cell phone use in active school zones unless they use a hands free device. (when signs are posted: Transportation Code section 545.425).

The Corpus Christi Police will hold violators accountable for their actions to reduce the risk of accidents.

While you are in a school zone; drive your car, or talk on the phone, but don’t do both. No phone call is worth the risk.

Charlie District, Community Outreach, Delta District, Traffic Safety Division

Police Seek Information on Hit & Run Driver

Occurred on 8/25/12, 03:36 a.m.  Hit & Run Accident  4800 Hwy 358      C1206450 

A 23-year-old man, his 41-year-old passenger, and a 3-year-old child sustained minor injuries when a hit and run vehicle slammed into their green Honda Civic.  All three were taken to Bay Area Hospital for medical evaluation. 

Witnesses report the suspect vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 mph.  The Civic spun out of control and hit the concrete median.  The suspect fled the accident scene in a red newer model passenger car, possibly a Toyota Camry. 

Anyone with any information on this crime is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.888-TIPS.  Callers can earn a cash reward if the suspect is arrested.

Community Outreach, Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Division

Back-2-School Safety

Going back to school can be an exciting and fun time.  Monday, August 27nd, our children head back to school; the Corpus Christi Police Department urges both parents and drivers to help one another to keep our students safe.  Both Traffic Officers and Beat Officers will monitor the school zones during the morning and afternoon to insure our children’s safety.

The Crime Stoppers Program will continue to work with all C.C.I.S.D. schools.  Campus Crime Stoppers works like adult Crime Stoppers with the callers being students with information about a crime that is going to occur or is occurring at their school.  The Crime Stoppers will take the information and pass it on to CCISD Police.  Each student that provides information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward. 

Car Safety

Make sure all passengers are buckled up or in their car and booster seats.  Drop the children off in the designated area and wait until they are on school grounds before you leave.  Drivers leave a little early; obey all School Zone Speeds and no cell phone use while traveling through posted areas.  Obey the Crossing Guards, as well teachers, volunteers, and student safety patrols. Don’t forget to stop for buses loading and unloading.  

Walking Safety to School

 

Most importantly, consider whether your child should walk to school; make sure they do not walk alone.  Have an adult or older siblings accompany them, if younger than twelve years of age. Plan the safest and simplest route to school; discuss the use of cross walks, along with the different meanings of traffic signals.  Teach them to keep away from vacant fields and any other places that have few people.

Stranger Safety

 

Tell your children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from them.  Let them know if a stranger does approach them, they need to run and tell an adult.  They will call 911.

Phone Numbers

 

Make sure your child has access to emergency phone numbers.  Type or write important phone numbers on an index card, laminate it, and place it in your child’s backpack.  If your child has a cell phone, make sure all emergency contact numbers are listed.

Community Outreach, Criminal Investigations Division, Delta District

Information Sought on Trio Using Stolen Credit Card, Possibly Involved in Robbery

 

http://youtu.be/Y-ErqgbSbMg

Occurred on Monday August 6, 2012, 2:30 am Robbery/U.U.M.V. 1400 Acapulco Street 1208060040 & C1205871

A 27-year-old man told police four strangers took his black 2012 Ford Mustang by force at 2:30 am in the morning when he arrived at his grandmother’s house.

The man told Police he parked his car in front of his grandmother’s house where he was approached by four men who attacked him.  The man told Officers he was knocked unconscious and woke up two houses away from where he parked, and his car was gone along with his wallet. The victim’s suffered bruises to his face, a busted lip, and scrapes to his leg.

The victim reported the robbery at 8:30 am. The vehicle was found in the city impound lot by Police Officers as it was involved in a hit and run crash on the 1200 block of Calle San Carlos at 5:40 am.

On 8/10/12, the victim reported his stolen credit card had been used at several local businesses by the woman and two men shown in this store surveillance video. 

The robbery and credit card abuse along with the crash are under investigation by the Corpus Christi Police Department. Anyone with any additional information about these crimes should call the Corpus Christi Police or submit tips to Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888TIPS.com.

Bravo District, Community Outreach, Delta District

UPS Delivery Driver Saves Little Boy

Occurred on 8/22/12, 7:09 pm  Drowning Child  6162 Misty Meadows  1208220105    

Officers responding to a possible drowning at Kingston Port Apartments arrived to find the crying one-year-old being held by his grandfather.  The child’s 22-year-old mother told Officers they were at the complex swimming pool for a birthday party when her 11-year-old brother noticed his nephew lying in the water.  The uncle pulled his nephew out of the pool and handed him to an adult.

A 32-year-old UPS delivery man heard the commotion and ran over to help.  He administered CPR on the infant who immediately responded by spitting out a bunch of water.  The child was rushed to Driscoll Children’s Hospital.

CCFD Paramedics told Officers that the quick action and prompt response of the delivery driver saved the infant’s life.  Do you know what to do when every second counts?  The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross provide certification classes for CPR, please visit their websites for class information at www.redcross.org and www.heart.org.