Number 218, October 2021

City of University Park, Texas, 3800 University Blvd.

Let's lock up to reduce crime and protect property!

Crimes of opportunity are occurring in neighborhoods throughout North Texas. Late last month, UP residents, living blocks apart, reported four separate early morning incidents. Occurring during a span of 30 minutes, the crimes involved a stolen vehicle, three burglarized vehicles and an unsuccessful home invasion. It is quite likely these crimes would not have taken place had the vehicles involved been secured.         Here are some simple steps you and your family members can take to make things tougher for thieves: Lock your vehicle Use your garage when you can Remove all valuables from your vehicle Take your keys or key fob with you Pickup taillight thefts For years, two states have led the nation in total pickup owners - California and Texas. Not surprisingly, in both states, taillight thefts are a popular way for criminals to make money gaining parts that aren’t numbered and can’t be traced. Ford F-150 and F-250 trucks, model years 2015 and newer, are especially popular targets because of the sensory equipment located inside the taillight. To avoid becoming a victim of this crime that takes only seconds to accomplish, it’s best to park your locked truck in your garage, inside a gated area of your property, or parked with the tailgate close to a garage door or wall.  UPPD now has a supply of special taillight screws. Once in place, these screws make it difficult for these truck taillights to be removed without the use of a special tool. UPPD will install these screws for UP F-150 and F-250 owners while supplies last. To arrange for an installation, email UPPD Detective Schellinger at [email protected] Pickup truck tailgate thefts Not too many years ago, a stolen tailgate could be replaced for a relatively small amount of money. Because of backup cameras, built-in steps, and other unique features, tailgates can now cost a few thousand dollars to replace. Because tailgates can be removed in seconds, again, it’s a good idea to park your pickup in the garage, inside a gated area or parked with the tailgate close to a garage door or wall. That’s also the best way to avoid the thriving “used market” full of people who are selling stolen tailgates to those who have already been victimized. Bike thefts Keeping with our overall theme, most bikes are stolen because they are easy to take. U-shaped locks are best for keeping bikes secure when they are in public view. Once you are back home, don't leave your bike in plain sight. Take a few moments to place it in the garage or inside your house. If the garage is where you park your bike, don't forget to close the garage door and to lock up. Parents - this is a good conversation to have with your kids! Package thefts Package thefts occur year-round, but they are more common during the holiday season with the rush of online gift buying. Here are tips to prevent package thefts and to keep your orders safe: Use smart package lockers (such as Amazon locker) or convenience stores like the UPS store Have packages delivered to your workplace or office Install security cameras Require signature on delivery Require a vacation package hold if you are out of town Sign up for tracking alerts so you can arrange to be home when the package is scheduled to be delivered Stolen vehicles During the first eight months of 2021, 16 vehicles have been reported stolen in University Park. For all of 2020, 35 vehicles were stolen. Repeatedly, victims tell our officers that the key fob or ignition key was left inside the vehicle. Burglary of motor vehicles Year after year, this crime is the most reported in University Park. In 2020, there were 101 reported cases. Most of the items taken, including purses, wallets and jewelry were left in plain sight, from vehicles that were often unlocked. Reported cases so far this year are tracking about the same. Thank you for helping to keep University Park a safe place to live and work. UPPD officers are watching for all of these crimes as they patrol our neighborhoods. This vigilance is supported by a network of license plate reader cameras. Installed in locations throughout the city, these cameras are in constant use to track stolen vehicles and help our investigators pinpoint potential suspect vehicles and their proximity to reported crimes. We are grateful for your partnership and for your diligence in reporting suspicious activity. If you see something suspicious, call us at 214-363-3000 or call 911 when you need emergency assistance. Have You Locked UP? Over the next few months, especially during overnight hours, UPPD officers will be leaving note cards on vehicle windshields. The Department’s brief message ends with the phrase, “Lock your residence, set your alarm, and enjoy your night!”

Commercial business contact information needed

Calling all commercial businesses in UP! The Fire Marshal’s Office is in the process of updating your contact information. If you own a business in University Park, please either scan the QR code to the left or click here to fill out the commercial business contact form. The information entered on the form is held by the City, and will only be accessed by our public safety personnel in the event of emergency or for other critically important outreach. Loaded into our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, this information will also be entered into various Records Management Systems used by our Police and Fire Departments. Some of these systems include Responder 360, which is a CAD mapping system, ESO used by the Fire Department for incident, EMS, property and occupancy, and the CAD system used by our 911 Dispatch staff. This newly gathered information could play a vital role in assisting emergency personnel as they respond to and manage incidents in or near commercial areas of the community. We appreciate your cooperation!

Park Cities Recycling Event scheduled for November 6

The next Park Cities recycling event will take place in the SMU parking lot on the south side of Burleson Park this Saturday, November 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here is another chance to clear out your garage, attic and closets of old financial and medical documents, outdated or unused electronics and even clothing and furniture.

Paper products and documents that can be disposed of include: Tax records, medical records, legal files, financial records, invoices, canceled checks, blueprints, contracts, payroll records, company letterhead, junk mail containing personal information and any information that contains credit card, social security, driver license and account numbers. Accepted E-waste items include: Computers, computer monitors, computer accessories, TV’s, printers, DVD/CD players, copiers, fax machines, scanners, cell phones and chargers, external hard drives, video and camera equipment, video game systems, cables, power cords, power strips and more. Participating firms/organizations Friends of the University Park Library will be on-site collecting new and gently used books for the Second Chapter Bookstore (no textbooks please). Shred-it will collect and shred all documents on-site. Global Asset collects and disposes of all E-waste items. In addition to working with the City and other municipalities, the company currently supports over 150 clients in the public sector. Global Asset removes data on all collected storage devices using Department of Defense security standards. Salvation Army will also be on-site. Donated items must be in working condition, and contain all parts and accessories. Clothing items must not be torn or stained. The Salvation Army will also take all wood furniture, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, dryers and any other appliances. All donors will be given a receipt for tax deduction purposes.  COVID-19 Advisory: For your safety and ours, all personnel working the event will be wearing facial coverings when they remove items from your vehicle. Please stay in your vehicle as your recycled/donated items are being removed.

Chalk One Up to Fire Safety contest & burning questions

Fire Prevention Week is October 3-9, and it’s time to Chalk One Up to Fire Safety! Last week, UPFD created a fire safety chalk drawing in front of the fire station, and now it’s your turn! We will be holding a social media contest during Fire Prevention Week, and the winners will receive an awesome prize. To enter the contest, all you have to do is create a chalk drawing that represents fire safety, take a picture of your drawing, and then email it to [email protected]. Drawings must be submitted by Sunday, October 3. The photos will be posted on our Facebook page on Monday, October 4 and voting will take place through Thursday, October 7. The chalk drawing with the most likes will win a special prize! We will also have prizes for second and third place. Winners will be announced on Friday, October 8.  Also during Fire Prevention Week, we will be answering your burning questions! Do you have any questions that you have been wanting to ask the Fire Department? Submit them to [email protected] or DM us on our social media accounts by Sunday, October 3. UPFD will be answering them throughout the week. For more information about fire safety and Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org/fpw. We can’t wait to see all of the awesome chalk drawings and answer your burning questions!

Legal stuff -- By entering the contest, you grant the City of University Park a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including but not limited to the City website, social media accounts, and newsletter publications.

Is your smoke alarm chirping?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 60 percent of home fire deaths happen in homes without properly functioning smoke alarms. Having a working smoke alarm in your home greatly increases your chance of surviving a fire. Because smoke alarms rely on a power source to function properly, it is critical to check them monthly. Batteries too weak to sound the alarm should be replaced. Because most alarms “chirp” when battery power is low, it is critical to replace the battery promptly, rather than disconnecting the alarm. Smoke generated by fire is a silent killer. Most fire deaths occur from smoke inhalation when residents are asleep. A primary component of smoke is carbon monoxide, which can slowly suffocate victims. A functional smoke alarm can provide early detection and make the difference when minutes count. UPFD offers assistance with smoke alarm installations For those needing assistance, especially the aged and individuals with disabilities, department members will test home smoke alarms. If necessary, the department will provide and install smoke alarms for free. To arrange a visit please call the department’s administrative secretary at 214-987-5380.

Oncor vegetation management project - mid-October

Oncor contractors plan to begin trimming trees along the 138Kv transmission feeder lines the middle of this month. Those transmission lines enter the city's eastern boundary in the alley between University and Daniel, they extend north on Boedecker and continue, in the alley between Stanford and Amherst, all the way to the city's western boundary and the Dallas North Tollway. Weather permitting, this work will continue through late November. A map showing the route of the transmission lines and other details about the project and its progress can be found here. Homeowners in the work areas should receive a door notice from Oncor a week or two before work begins.   Why is the work necessary? Trees that grow near power lines pose a serious safety risk and are one of the top causes of power outages each year, along with lightning and wildlife. Service interruptions caused by trees are more than an incon­venience. They can endanger lives through the failure of life support systems, fire alarms, and traffic signals. Power out­ages can also be very costly, especially to commercial and in­dustrial customers. Under Texas law, Oncor may prune or remove trees that interfere with the reliability and integrity of electrical service within their service area. When this happens, Oncor follows generally accepted industry guidelines and best practices. State law also gives Oncor the authority to go onto residential property to conduct their trimming efforts.  Learn more about Oncor's tree trimming practices.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day - October 23

Saturday, October 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., University Park residents can dispose of accumulated unwanted, and unused prescription drugs by stopping by the Fire Station side of University Park City Hall at 3800 University Blvd. This effort, hosted by UPPD, is part of a nationwide drug disposal program started by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A reminder - Residents don’t have to wait for a national Drug Take Back Day event to dispose of prescription drugs. The Police Department has a MedReturn box at City Hall. It’s located inside the building’s 24-hour entrance (3800 University Blvd.) next to the City’s 911 call center. The MedReturn box will not accept liquid medications, inhalers, needles, syringes or lancets.

Germany Park track resurfacing - mid October

John Roach Track will be closed later this month for resurfacing. The project is scheduled to start on Monday, October 11 and continue through Friday, October 29, weather permitting.  During this three week period the track will be cleaned so that an additional layer of impermeable surfacing can be applied. The track will also be restriped and marked. These enhancements will provide everyone who uses the track, including HPISD teams, with a better surface for walking, jogging or running for many years to come. Project signage will be in place prior to the work beginning, and the park will be monitored for compliance. Thank you for your patience, and for allowing us to serve you.

Register for Eggtober - October 11 to October 25

This Halloween, as we continue efforts to keep our residents safe, Eggtober is returning! The Parks Department will fill a dozen Halloween eggs per child, drop off and hide them in your front yard on October 31. Eggs will be filled with peanut allergy-friendly candy and toys. Emails will be sent out to those who register before the delivery date with further details. Participants must live in University Park. Registration opens on October 11 and closes on October 25. The registration form will be posted on our website on October 11.

Second Chapter Bookstore Re-Opening!

The Friends of the University Park Public Library is thrilled to announce that Second Chapter Bookstore will be popping up again this year, opening its doors on Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Second Chapter will sell gently used, donated books, with proceeds benefitting the University Park Public Library.   The store is located at 6916 Snider Plaza, next to East Hampton Sandwich Co. and Short Stop. The store will be in operation from October 2 to December 18. If you are interested in donating new or gently used books to Second Chapter Bookstore, we are taking drop-off donations at University Park Peek Service Center located at 4420 Worcola St. Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more details on all of this, visit the Friends website.

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