On Saturday December the 10, 2011 Boy Scout Reece Bowers, from Boy Scout Troop 87, came one step closer to obtaining his Eagle Scout rank. Reece has been involved in scouting for 10 years.

His project for such a distinguished honor was to provide the Corpus Christi Police Department, as well as every sub-station, with a set of indoor ceremonial flags. He also provided several benches for the outdoor shooting range.

Reece raised the needed funds by holding several car wash events in order to make the purchases. He, along with a couple of his troop members, made the presentation during a Flag Presentation Ceremony at the Police Main Station Headquarters.

The Officers and staff of C.C.P.D. would like to thank Reece for his efforts and consideration to our department.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Training Division will be sending 18 cadets from the 70th Police Academy to assist with the 14th Annual “Shop with a Cop” program tomorrow, December 8, 2011.

Trisha Dang, the instructor for the morning and the Police Department’s legal advisor, made the decision to forgo class in the spirit of Christmas and send the cadets to help out with “Shop with a Cop”. This decision was not made lightly as the cadet’s academic success is paramount for their completion of the academy. Ms. Dang and the cadets worked very hard to get ahead in their lesson plan so they could take the morning off from their studies to help give the children in the community a nice Christmas surprise.

The cadets from the 70th Police Academy will meet tomorrow with other local law enforcement officers at the Wal-Mart in Flour Bluff at 8:45am.

The Corpus Christi Police Department proudly graduated the 40^th Session of its Citizens Police Academy on Tuesday December 6, 2011.

The Citizens Police Academy is an eleven week program designed to educate citizens about their police department and the officers who swear to protect  and serve them. The first Citizens Police Academy graduated in 1988 and 23 years later it is still going strong. 

The Citizens Police Academy covers topics such as the police academy, recruiting, backgrounds, internal affairs, the criminal investigation division, uniform patrol, and vice and narcotics. Class members were also presented with an intense class on police stress, which helped them better understand the issues officers and their families must face in the law enforcement occupation.

The graduates signed up for a “tour of duty” and rode with an officer for a shift, to experience first hand the types of calls for service our police department handles on a daily basis.

The  academy culminated with crime scenes, where class members were placed in several different scenarios, and asked to respond as an officer would in the field .

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s goal is to develop a partnership with the citizens of Corpus Christi to work together to reduce crime and the fear of crime in the community we share.

The CCPD congratulates the newest members of the Citizens Police Academy

Congratulations graduates!!

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

On Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, a total of 75 cars and 2 motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department Vehicle Impound Lot located at 2600 Holly Road during our monthly auction. Approximately 10 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, December 2nd, 2011, 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 have issued 4,943 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility since January 1, 2011.

Corpus Christi Police Department Holiday Season Safety Plan 2011 

The Corpus Christi Police Department has finalized it 2011 Holiday Season Safety Plan. During the additional enforcement initiative, which begins November 25th and will continue through December 30^th, 2011, Officers from several divisions will combine resources to ensure that our citizens enjoy a safe and crime-free holiday season.  This year’s plan provides for increased traffic with enhanced DWI enforcement throughout the city.

As many as 24 additional Officers from the Uniform Division, Traffic Safety Division, Narcotics – Vice, the Auto Theft Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Division will redirect their enforcement efforts on the busiest shopping areas in town.  Among the areas targeted for increased patrol are:

• La Palmera Mall
• Moore Plaza
• Sunrise Mall
• The Promenade
• Gulf Way Shopping Center
• Saratoga Town Center
• Island Gate Plaza
• Other busy shopping areas and restaurants along S.P.I.D.

Increased Enforcement

Each day, this assignment will have Officers to supplement the normal contingent of patrol officers who work these areas.  Officers will stagger their work days to ensure adequate coverage seven days a week, with the heaviest concentration of Officers reporting on the weekends.  Shoplifting, auto burglary, auto theft, purse snatching, and robbery are the most common offenses committed by lawbreakers who take advantage of “on the go” and sometimes distracted holiday shoppers.

Officers will be conducting frequent high visibility patrol through the parking lots and be on the lookout for criminals who might choose to prey upon busy shoppers.

Five plain clothes Detectives from the Auto Theft Task Force will also randomly patrol the parking lots and busy shopping areas, attempting to spot crimes in progress.

In addition to patrolling the parking lots, Auto Theft Force Officers will also employ a patrol car equipped with an automated license plate reader.  This vehicle automatically reads thousands of license plates per hour and alerts the Officer whenever a stolen vehicle is encountered.

Traffic Control

Throughout the holiday shopping season, Traffic Officers will direct their efforts toward ensuring a safe and smooth flow of traffic into and out of the malls and other busy shopping areas.

Beginning Friday, November 25^th, a minimum of eight Traffic Officers, including four Motorcycle Officers, will be assigned to provide traffic control and enforcement at the major intersections along S.P.I.D., as well as the entrances and exits to the malls and major shopping centers.

Parking Enforcement will put two Officers out to enforce disabled parking throughout the city and will assist uniformed officers in keeping watch for suspicious subjects and events.

DWI Enforcement

Two grants will allow the Department to put additional Officers on the street to focus on DWI enforcement; the STEP grant reimburses overtime costs to hire an additional three Officers Wednesday through Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

In addition to the overtime Officers, the Southside District has committed to assigning two Officers each night to DWI patrol between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

During the Holiday shopping period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, six Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety will be assigned to assist CCPD officers using State DWI grant monies to increase DWI enforcement. This will be coupled with the District Attorney’s Office to sponsor no-refusal weekends.

Citizens in Support of CCPD graciously funded the posters that are around town and in stores urging people to think before getting behind the wheel drunk during the holidays.

The Holiday Initiative patrols are a continued effort for the  Corpus Christi Police Department to work as an equal partner with the community to reduce crime, the fear of crime and to enhance public safety.

The Crime Prevention Division of the Corpus Christi Police Department would like to include the following safety tips :

Holiday Safety Tips 

During this holiday season, it’s important to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.  It’s a perfect opportunity for criminals to commit their crimes. Below are a few safety tips to keep in mind for a safe and happy holiday season.

• Park in well-lighted spaces and as close to the store as possible, lock your car doors, and hide packages in the trunk or under seats.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card if possible.
• Carry your purse tightly and closely to your body.  Do not carry it by the straps as thieves can easily snatch the purse.
• Put wallets inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Do not carry excessive packages while shopping. Place them in the trunk or take them home.
• Teach your children to look for a police officer or contact a store security guard in the event they become lost or separated.
• Be aware of suspicious strangers approaching you this holiday season. These are con-artists who are planning to distract you with the intention of taking your money and belongings.
• Be aware of individuals attempting to sell you items in parking lots.  These items may be stolen goods.
• For online shopping, only shop with companies you know.
• Always keep your password private and stray away from using social security numbers or birthdates.

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

On Saturday, November 5th, 2011, a total of 64 cars and 4 motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department Vehicle Impound Lot located at 2600 Holly Road during our monthly auction. Approximately 12 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, November 4th, 2011, 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 have issued 4,584 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility since January 1, 2011.

The City of Corpus Christi will also hold a Heavy Equipment Auction on November 19th, 2011

Over the weekend, nearly 3500 people along with volunteers from area churches, law enforcement agencies, school districts, and organizations took part in the first annual Decision House Fall Festival.  The event, which was sponsored by Citizens in Support of the CCPD Police Foundation, Corpus Christi Caller Times and the Scripps Howard Foundation, and the Faith Based Services Coalition, offered people of all ages live music, games, and food.

The most popular part of the festival featured a walk through drama called, “Decision House.”  Volunteer actors profiled two teenaged boys whose decisions have devastating results, which not only gravely impact them, but their families, friends and many others.

On Friday 494 people toured Decision House , on Saturday the number increased to 826. Decision House included four scenes.  The first, a videotape featuring actors from the Police Department’s Explorer Post#133, which set up the scenario, the second, a wreck scene featuring several Corpus Christi Police Officers, the third scene, a death notification scene, and the fourth, a courtroom scene which featured several members of the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office, including District Attorney Mark Skurka and City of Corpus Christi Municipal Court Judge Maria Flores.

Before participants left the tour, they heard testimonials from three local men, who told tour groups how their bad decisions sent them to prison for many years, how difficult it has been being accepted again by family and friends and the public, gaining employment and what changes they have made to lead a more positive life.

Many participants also took advantage of an area called “Crossroads” where clergy of all faiths and professional counselors offered assistance requested by participants, from prayer to just listening.

The first annual Decision House Fall Festival was a wonderful example of how volunteers from different faiths, organizations, school districts, and area law enforcement agencies, can work together to provide a meaningful event for the enjoyment of all ages.

For more information on Decision House please visit their Facebook page.