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

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, a total of 104 cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be auctioned at the Corpus Christi Police Department’s  Vehicle Impound Lot located at 5485 Greenwood Drive during our monthly auction. The site has four paved acres for an auction lot.

Approximately 17 of these vehicles are “No Insurance” impounds. On Friday, November 2, 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 5,509 citations and impounded 1,212 vehicles for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility during 2011.  During October of 2012, Officers issued 296 citations for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and impounded 76 vehicles for the same charge.

The Corpus Christi Police Department’s Sex Offender Registration Coordinator D. Berry and Detective J.T. Smith will be conducting spot checks on the registered sex offenders within our city on Halloween night from 5pm to 9pm.  The Police Department’s Directed Patrol Officers will also be accompanying officers of the Nueces County Adult Probation Department as they conduct compliance checks on Monday  through Wednesday.

The Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) has a website where you can view the registered sex offenders in Corpus Christi on an interactive Google map. Sex offender’s locations are one of the most requested information calls into the Police Department during Halloween. The CCPD has made it extremely easy for citizens to do research on their own by using CRIMEREPORTS.com.

www.crimereports.com is a web-based crime mapping system. Once on the site, enter your address along with Corpus Christi, Texas and hit enter. You will be shown the sex offenders near your home as indicated by a red and white yield sign type of symbol.  The map will show the locations, photo, address and other information of each sex offender.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has these Halloween Safety Tips that the CCPD would like to pass on to our citizens:

ALL DRESSED UP:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

The Citizens in Support of the Corpus Christi Police Department hosted a lunch with Corpus Christi Police Chief Floyd Simpson on October 30 at the Texas Roadhouse.

The Citizens in Support of the Corpus Christi Police Department is a non-profit organization that raises funds for the police department to provide training and equipment that would not otherwise be budgeted. The organization was formed in 2008 with the stated mission to create a safer Corpus Christi by strengthening the bond between the Corpus Christi Police Department and the citizens it serves.

The Texas Roadhouse, located at 2029 South Padre Island Drive, served steak, potato, green beans, and a drink. Chief Simpson spoke at the lunch event to share gratitude for the organization to provide the training and equipment which directly is used to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime, and to enhance public safety. Chief Simpson said “Our agency has been able to obtain additional training, host crime prevention programs and activities and benefit from new technologies and equipment. The ultimate benefactor from the efforts of Citizens in Support of CCPD is our community who enjoys a better equipped and trained police service.”

Several door prizes were awarded which included the opportunity for a person to be “Chief for a day,” and for a person to observe a bomb squad demonstration at the Corpus Christi bomb range. The Corpus Christi Police Dive team truck, boat, and the bomb squad truck were placed in the parking lot of the restaurant for display.

The Corpus Christi Police Department thanks all those who participated in this lunch which supports the Corpus Christi Police Department.