Police Department – Several department members, including Chief Robert Brown, Lieutenant Matt Stogner; Sergeant Chris Freis and Officers Darius Williams and Doug Sisk, supported the Leadership Southwest Law Enforcement Day at the Duncanville Fieldhouse this week. The officers covered several topics, including Active Shooter. Chief Brown participated in a Chief’s Roundtable discussion with area police chiefs and deputy chiefs.
The Duncanville Police Department Crime Victim’s Advocate, Jessica Caudillo and Police Lieutenant Rebekah Young, will attend the “Empower Her Seminar” Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Duncanville Senior Center. The event, sponsored by the department, is open to everyone regardless of gender. The goal of the program is to inspire women’s empowerment.
Notes on recent successes: • A night patrol officer patrolling the area near Applebee’s for vehicle burglaries, just missed witnessing a burglary in progress, but did note a shattered window and a vehicle pulling away. The officer eventually stopped the suspect vehicle, and after a very brief verbal exchange with the officer, the suspect driver fled the traffic stop, which had been made in Dallas just outside Duncanville. The officer found the abandoned vehicle in an apartment complex nearby in Dallas, and the vehicle was towed as evidence. Property recovered from the suspect vehicle included property
from the burglary near Applebee’s, a pistol recently stolen from Cedar Hill, property linked to a Dallas burglary, and illegal drug contraband. Detectives are working with the patrol officer to identify the suspect who escaped. • A day patrol officer smelled marijuana from a vehicle during a traffic stop. The officer had the two occupants exit the vehicle, and as the passenger exited, the officer noticed a pistol on the passenger floorboard. The officer confiscated the pistol since the occupants were engaged in an offense other than a traffic stop and arrested the passenger. • A night patrol officer stopped a vehicle for a registration violation late at night after seeing the vehicle parked along the curb with its lights on for some time with no apparent reason. The officer sensed unusual nervousness from the driver and upon obtaining consent from the driver to search the vehicle, found drugs and a pistol. The driver, who had a felony conviction, was arrested and all contraband seized as evidence.
Fire Department – The Department has not had any major EMS events in Duncanville this week but did respond to a major fire Thursday morning at 1034 Greenbriar Lane. The call came in at 2:15a and when fire units began arriving, the structure was fully engulfed. Fire suppression was limited to a defensive role since the roof structure was tile and roof collapse was considered a high risk. Regional response and assistance from Dallas contained the fire to the structure of origin. The seven family members were able to evacuate the structure with no injuries. The structure is not in a condition for the family to live in because of the roof collapse and extensive fire damage. The resident immediately downwind was evacuated for about two hours as a precaution. The Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. No firefighters were injured.
The two firefighters attending paramedic school at El Centro have completed their written exam and skills testing. They have returned to the Department and will ride with a FTO for the first five shifts once they receive their certification from the State. After they complete the FTO process, they will count towards paramedic staffing.
Public Works – Water usage was 24.548 MG the week of January 7 through January 13, up slightly from 24.335 last week. The daily peak water demand occurred on Wednesday, January 9, when 4.001 MG was used. There was 0.22 inches of precipitation that week.
Ten properties were registered for the residential rental property program since last week’s report, for a total of 27 properties year-to-date. Seven properties have undergone inspection with three passing and four failing. Of the four properties failing inspection, two primarily require electrical work and the inspector was unable to gain entry at the other two. Two residential certificates of occupancy have been issued year-to-date.
Construction Update: • The concrete construction crew completed the installation of two new ADA ramps at 202-203 Van Rowe Avenue. Crews have begun sidewalk and ADA improvements in the West Park Addition. • The drainage crew completed a drainage project on Bow Creek. The work connected two sections of blocks placed previously to alleviate pooling in the street. • Muniz Construction has completed approximately 60% of the Granada/Flamingo Way Alley Reconstruction project. • Vortex Turnkey Solution LLC completed approximately 1,123 LF of pipebursting at Little Street and approximately 1,368 LF of pipebursting at Highland Drive for the FY18 Pipebursting Program.
Parks and Recreation – Parks: • Parks Supervisor David Codispoti passed the Certified Parks and Recreation Professional exam through the National Recreation and Parks Association, thus completing one of his goals for FY19. Congratulations to David for his professional achievement! • Crews completed the landscaping project around the generator at the Recreation Center/Library to help buffer the view of the generator. • The Park Board met on Monday and discussed the upcoming community meetings regarding Kidsville/Splash pad at Armstrong Park, and joint meeting with the City Council. They also provided further direction
to staff on recommendations for rental policies of the meeting rooms at the Recreation and Senior centers. They want to explore limiting recurring meetings to three months with the following 3 months of non-availability. Their recommendations, when finalized, will be brought to City Council for consideration.
Seniors: • The North Texas Visiting Nurse program began this week with nurse visits to the center to help monitor member health statistics and provide health education.
Fieldhouse: • The FH added a new sponsor – the new LaQuinta Hotel in Duncanville. • This coming week we have: o Top Gun Youth Winter Basketball League – Saturday 10:00a to 6:00p; (6) courts o Fieldhouse Youth Basketball League – Sunday 5:00p to 9:00p; (5) courts
Economic Development – ED staff is providing support and working on the following projects: • Attended the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Red River States Conference and Deal Making event in Fort Worth where more than 4,000 people attended. Staff met with retailers, developers, and brokers and highlighted the opportunities in Duncanville. Staff also attended workshops on “Ways to Improve the Marketing of your Community to Site Selectors” and the “Future of Retail”. • Working with a developer interested in purchasing an existing business and expanding it while upgrading the building. • Continues to work with a local restaurant on their business expansion.
DCEDC Board members attended the State of the City banquet where Mayor Gordon awarded GK Steel Fabrication, LLC and La Mexicana Tortilla Factory with the Mayor’s Excellence Award for 2018 for their dedication to the community and contribution to Duncanville’s economy.
GK Steel Fabrication, LLC
GK Steel Fabrication, LLC has been in business since 2013, beginning as a decorative ironwork supplier of ornate steel gazebos and other accent pieces for beautiful back yards. Mike and Cathy Owens have transformed GK Steel into a highly efficient and cost-effective supplier of light structural and ornamental steel in the commercial construction industry. In 2017, GK Steel expanded their business and relocated to Duncanville. Since then, GK Steel has continued to grow and expand their business.
La Mexicana Tortilla Factory
La Mexicana Tortilla Factory has been family owned and operated by the Garza Family since 1997. The Garza Family relocated their business to Duncanville in 2007. La Mexicana Tortilla Factory manufactures over 300 assorted products in their factory including corn and flour tortillas, wraps, tostadas, tortillas, chips and many other related items. They take immense pride in using authentic Mexican recipes to create the highest quality products for their customers.
Public Information – News coverage for this week: • Jan 14, 2019 – Emmy Award Winning SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Returns for 16th Season on FOX (Duncanville Fieldhouse is the Dallas, TX audition location on Feb 12) • Jan 16, 2019 – ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Renewed for Season 16 on FOX • Jan 17, 2019 – Duncanville Family Escapes House Fire
The State of the City video was well-received at the ‘Celebrate Duncanville’ event Thursday evening.
Patrick Harvey 