TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/27/06
Officer Chris Rankin
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department will be continuing it's extra patrols through business and residential areas throughout the upcoming week and over the weekend.
During this time of year it is especially important for citizens to be on the lookout for potential criminal activity. Burglars and thieves always try to take the opportunity to steal from others after the Christmas Holiday and the police department urges citizens to report any suspicious activity by calling 911 immediately.
Officers will be out in force through the remainder of the week looking for suspected drunk drivers. Expect DWI checkpoints throughout the city. We urge anyone who plans on consuming alcoholic beverages to utilize a designated driver or call a taxi cab.
The first offense of DWI carries a minimum of a $1000.00 fine in addition to any jail time or loss of driving priviledges that also may occur. The object of additional patrol is not to issue tickets or make arrests, but rather to ensure that everyone returns home safely.
On another note, during the 2005/06 New Year the 911 call center dispatched TAPD officers to several HUNDRED reports of fireworks complaints (somewhere in the range of 350 to 400 complaints). This call volume has the potential to overload the 911 call takers and cause delayed response to serious crimes, fires, and medical emergencies.
We ask residents and particularly parents to remember that it is illegal to shoot fireworks inside the city limits at any time. Please make arrangements to enjoy this activity ouside of the city limits. Please note that it is the officers discretion as to whether or not a citation will be issued for violation of city ordinance.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.