Number 233, February 2023 |
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City of University Park, Texas, 3800 University Blvd. |
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University Park remains a very safe community |
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University Park remains a very safe place to live and work. The City’s most reported crime in 2022 was Burglary of Motor Vehicles. Many of the 171 victims admitted the items stolen were left in plain sight. Moreover, much of the time, victims acknowledged their vehicles were left unlocked, making wallets, purses, computer laptops and jewelry easy and quick to obtain. UPPD continues to stress that residents should lock their vehicles and take a moment to remove their valuables or place them in the trunk. To further reduce crimes of opportunity, it’s also a good idea to keep all household doors locked and your garage doors down, even when you are at home. |
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Vehicle Thefts - In 2022, reported vehicle thefts dropped slightly from the previous year. While 29 vehicles were stolen in 2021, that figure dropped to 27 last year. Here as well, owners are making things easier for thieves, often telling officers they left the keys or the key fob in the vehicle.
Traffic Safety – 86 traffic collisions were reported in 2022. UPPD continues to use targeted enforcement in select locations to help keep that number relatively small.
Other 2022 crime statistics
Robberies – 8
Business Burglaries – 10
Residential Burglaries – 16
Bike Thefts – 33
Following budgetary approval by the City Council, starting with the 2022-23 academic year, a UPPD officer is now on-duty throughout the school day on each of the City’s HPISD campuses. This includes the continuation of an officer at McCulloch Intermediate School for the D.A.R.E. program.
School Crossing Guards - The City partners with HPISD to provide crossing guard services at 19 locations throughout the city. The City continues to fund this effort, while HPISD personnel oversee its day-to-day operations.
Service Calls - In 2022 UPPD answered 187,142 calls for service. That’s nearly 1,000 more calls for service than the department recorded in 2021. The increase is another indication that residents have resumed more normal activities following months of COVID-19 restrictions.
Direct Alarm Monitoring - Business and residential addresses continue to enroll in the City’s Direct Alarm Monitoring service that links alarm systems directly to the Police Dispatch Center. At the end of 2022, the City had 3,562 Direct Alarm customers.
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State of the City Address - February 9 at 6 p.m. |
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Join us as Mayor Tommy Stewart provides an overview of issues and projects the Council and City staff are focused on. The presentation will take place in the City Hall Council Chamber (3800 University) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 9.
This year's presentation will touch on upcoming large-scale capital projects including improvements to various retail centers and ongoing work to improve the City's stormwater system. During his remarks, the mayor will also touch on implementation of some action items from the City's Centennial Master Plan, crime trends, the redesign of the City website and 2024 Centennial Celebration planning. You are welcome to attend the event in person, or you can catch it as we live-stream the proceedings. Live-streaming details will be on the City's website in the hours preceding the event.
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Children's Fishing Derby - Saturday, March 4 |
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Mark your calendars for our spring Children's Fishing Derby taking place Saturday, March 4! Enjoy a morning of fishing and fun with the family at Caruth Park pond.
Awards for the largest and smallest catch will be given each hour and lunch will be provided. Gather up that gear and let's get fishing!
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Water meter shut-off information |
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Below-freezing temperatures, icy roadways and rounds of sleet and freezing rain are less than subtle ways to show that winter has a few weeks to go in North Texas. Should you need it, here's information on how to locate your household water meter, and more importantly if the need arises, how you can shut off the flow of water to your property. To assist you, the City has prepared a brochure illustrating the simple actions that are needed to turn the water off and turn the water back on. Shown too are household tools that you should have on hand to make this process easier.
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Recognizing Leadership Academy Class III |
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At the January 17 City Council Meeting, graduates from the City's most recent Leadership Academy class were recognized. Created to help employees develop leadership and management skills while gaining a greater understanding of the City's culture, operations and community partnerships, this nearly year-long internal training program involves staff from various departments. As part of their final capstone project, the class was divided into two groups and given specific topics to research. In the fall, each group presented recommendations to senior staff.
The first project involved developing framework for a program to transition some of the City’s fleet vehicles from regular-fuel to electric. This topic came from a Centennial Master Plan goal on sustainability and conservation. Group participants researched several electric vehicle options, costs associated with the launch of a program, and potential external funding sources. This item will likely be considered at a future Council meeting.
The second group was tasked with boosting employee engagement and helping the organization reconnect post-COVID. One initiative featured the re-engagement of the City's UPLift program where employees have the opportunity to volunteer one workday a year at various area charities. A second centered on installing digital message boards at various work locations to keep employees across the organization up-to-date on topics of joint interest.
Congratulations to our Leadership Academy graduates!
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Youth Advisory Commission application process begins in March |
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University Park high school students who are interested in community service and learning about City operations may want to apply for a slot on the City's Youth Advisory Commission (YAC). Application forms will be available on the City's website beginning March 1. The City will begin reviewing applications for this 20-plus member group later that month. While learning about local government operations, YAC members help promote the City's ongoing recycling program and other community initiatives. They also staff various annual community events. Commission members also act as an advisory group for the City on issues that could directly impact teenagers. Following the March 31 application deadline, the City will begin interviewing applicants in April. To be eligible for consideration, students must reside in University Park and be in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year. Each Commission member will be expected to attend all group meetings and actively participate in all designated events. Community service hour credits are one of the many benefits of serving on the Commission. |
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Reminder from UPPD on parking near MIS/HPMS campus |
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Whether you are visiting campus or a nearby resident, to keep traffic running smoothly, please do not park your vehicle in the carpool lane during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up time periods at McCulloch Intermediate/Highland Park Middle School. Officers will be actively monitoring this area and violators are subject to citation. |
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City offers year-round e-waste disposal |
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University Park residents can dispose of unwanted electronics free of charge at the City’s waste transfer station. The City partners with Global Asset to dispose of the items listed below in a safe and environmentally sustainable fashion. The process also ensures that all personal data contained on the disposed items is destroyed.
Disposal site location
Residents can visit the City’s waste transfer station at 2525 University Blvd. (just east of North Central Expressway) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All items must be placed inside the large marked container located inside the gated facility. Before placing the items in the container, residents will be asked to verify their University Park address by showing a valid driver license, other government ID or current utility bill.
Accepted e-waste materials
- TVs, computers, laptops, monitors, printers
- Home & cell phones
- VCRs & DVD players
- Fax machines & corded consumer electronics
Security of disposed e-waste materials
Global Asset processes e-waste materials in accordance with the strictest privacy laws and regulations, including the Federal Privacy Act, HIPAA, and state legislation. The company also meets the Department of Defense and National Security Agency requirements for purging information from computer hard drives. Global Asset is the same company that assists the City during the spring and fall recycling events.
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