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.