Author: SiteAdmin

Categories
Alerts

ALERT: Suspicious Solicitor(s) (07/21)

PLEASE FORWARD TO RESIDENTS:

There have been recent reports of door solicitors in the Dripping Springs/Driftwood areas of Hays County, Texas. As we all know, these solicitors are normally very mobile and move from town to town and county to county. I have received information back from several Neighborhood Watch groups telling me that the solicitors have been trying to sell educational materials, books, claiming to be doing work for Dripping ISD, and steaks. Below is a string of information provided by Goldenwood West off of FM1826. It appears that the solicitors are have been gathering names of children and their ages, as well as trying to find out times when people are home, work, or if they are on vacation. Please be safe.

Continue reading “ALERT: Suspicious Solicitor(s) (07/21)”
Categories
News

HCSO Citizens Sheriff’s Academy (Fall 2012)

Note: The Fall 2012 HCSO Citizens Sheriff’s Academy is full. The Spring 2013 class will start in February (exact date TBD). For more information, contact Jeff Jordan (info below).

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 History of Law Enforcement and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office
Chapter 3 Community Outreach
Chapter 4 Emergency Communications
Chapter 5 Patrol Operations
Chapter 6 Jail Operations
Chapter 7 Use of Force
Chapter 8 Arrest, Search, and Seizure
Chapter 9 Government Center Security
Chapter 10 Narcotics
Chapter 11 Mental Health Unit and Warrants Division
Chapter 12 Victim’s Assistance
Chapter 13 Alcohol Enforcement Unit (AEU)
Chapter 14 Animal Control
Chapter 15 Terrorism Awareness and the ALERRT Center
Chapter 16 Driving While Intoxicated Enforcement
Chapter 17 Traffic Division and Accident Investigations
Chapter 18 Emergency Vehicle Operations
Chapter 19 School Resource Officers and Juvenile Investigations
Chapter 20 Gangs and Security Threat Groups
Chapter 21 K-9
Chapter 22 Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT)
Chapter 23 Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
Chapter 24 Firearms
Chapter 25 Sex Offender Laws and Registration
Chapter 26 Criminal Investigation Division
Chapter 27 Evidence and Crime Scene Investigation

 

Weekly Class Schedule
Week 1: Thursday, August 23rd, 2012
1800 – 1810 Intro
1810 – 1840 History of Law Enforcement & the Hays County Sheriff’s Office
1840 – 1850 Break
1850 – 1920 Community Outreach
1920 – 1930 Break
1930 – 2200 Emergency Communications
Week 2: Thursday, 08/30/2012
1800 – 1930 Patrol Operations
1930 – 1940 Break
1940 – 2100 Jail Operations
Week 3: Thursday, 09/06/2012
1800 – 1930 Use of Force
1930 – 1940 Break
1940 – 2100 Arrest, Search, and Seizure
Week 4: Thursday, 09/13/2012 (@SMPD Auditorium with SMPDCPA)
1800 – 2100 Narcotics
Week 5: Thursday, 09/20/2012
1800 – 1930 Mental Health Unit and Warrants
1930 – 1940 Break
1940 – 2100 Victim’s Assistance
Week 6: Thursday, 09/27/2012
1800 – 1850 Sex Offender Registration and Laws
1850 – 1900 Break
1900 – 1950 K9
1950 – 2000 Break
2000 – 2100 Animal Control
National Night Out: Tuesday, 10/02/2012
Week 7: Thursday, 10/04/2012 (@SMPD Auditorium with SMPDCPA)
1800 – 2100 Terrorism Awareness and the ALERRT Center
Week 8a: Thursday, 10/11/2012
1800 – 1850 Traffic Division
1850 – 1900 Break
1900 – 1950 Driving While Intoxicated Investigations
1930 – 1940 Break
1940 – 2100 Alcohol Enforcement Unit (AEU)
Week 8b: Saturday, 10/13/2012 (@SMPD with SMPDCPA)
0800 – 1000 Emergency Vehicle Operations
1000 – 1200 Firearms
1200 – 1300 Grill out with SMPDCPAAA and HCCSAAA
Week 9: Thursday, 10/18/2012
1800 – 1930 School Resource Officers and Juvenile Investigations
1930 – 1940 Break
1940 – 2100 Gangs and Security Threat Groups
Week 10: Thursday, 10/25/2012 (@SMPD Auditorium and Government Center with SMPDCPA)
1800 – 1930 Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT)
1930 – 1940 Break
1940 – 2100 Government Center
Week 11: Thursday, 11/01/2012 (@ ALERRT with SMPDCPA)
1800 – 2100 Special Weapons and Tactics
Week 12: Thursday, 11/08/2012
1800 – 1850 Criminal Investigation Division
1850 – 1900 Break
1900 – 1950 Evidence and Crime Scene Investigation
1950 – 2000 Break
2000 – 2100 CID Practical and Question and Answer Session
Week 13: Thursday, 11/15/2012
1800 – 2100 Graduation

 

Respectfully,

Jeff Jordan
Deputy/HCSO

Categories
Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunity: Crowd Control Team Training

If you are interested in assisting the Crowd Control Team in their training exercise on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Nutty Brown Cafe from 8:00a – 11:00a, please contact Sgt. Phillip Taylor via email at phillip.taylor@co.hays.tx.us or via phone at 512-393-7342.

Respectfully,

Jeff Jordan
Deputy/HCSO

Categories
Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunity: Assist Training Division With Basic Peace Officer Course

If you are interested in assisting the Training Division in training the Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) cadets, please contact Sandra Galvan via email at sandra.galvan@co.hays.tx.us or via phone at 512-393-7809. The training scenario dates are Monday, August 6th, 2012 through Friday, August 17, 2012 (12 days). The Training Division will be able to provide exact times, dates, and locations. If you do volunteer to assist, please email me the dates and times you helped with the training.

Respectfully,

Jeff Jordan
Deputy/HCSO

Categories
Tips

TIP: Auto Theft Prevention


Due to a recent increase in vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit would like to remind all citizens of basic tips on how not to become a victim of these crimes.

Continue reading “TIP: Auto Theft Prevention”
Categories
Tips

TIP: Fireworks Safety Tips from Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office

Attached/below is information from the Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office that will help keep you safe should you choose to use fireworks this Fourth of July.  Please share this information with colleagues who do not have access to computers.

FIREWORK SAFETY TIPS

Ø  Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

Ø  Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

Ø  Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

Ø  Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

Ø  Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

Ø  Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

Ø  Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

Ø  Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

Ø  Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

Ø  After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

Ø  Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Categories
Tips

TIP: Consumer Protection & Internet Safety

Internet Safety: Netsmartz
http://www.netsmartz.org
Parents or caregivers, educators, government officials, law enforcement, and youth organizations that want to learn more about the Internet and the possible dangers to children online. It has many links including the Cybertip Line, and Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. According to the Norfolk Quarterly, this site is recommended by the Norfolk Police Department.

Internet Fraud: Looks Too Good to Be True
http://www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.gov
Be sure to visit this great web site sponsored by the FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service along with other partners dedicated to the education of consumer and prevention of internet fraud. This site will give you tips, describe the types of fraud, and tell victims’ stories. It includes a highly informative section of Frequently Asked Questions. You can take a test to see if you are at risk for fraud and you can also file a complaint at this site. Beat the thieves by being informed!

Internet Shopping: Safe Shopping
http://www.safeshopping.org
This informational site was created by the American Bar Association and contains a wide variety of subjects that will help you to order safely when shopping online. Topics included are security, delivery, complaints, best payment methods, and a helpful list of shopping tips.

Consumer Protection: Federal Consumer Information Center
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/inthenews.htm
You will find general consumer information on a variety of topics, and also a description of the various federal programs, including Medicare. Look here for the Consumer Information catalog that can be viewed online, or downloaded free, or to to order booklets. There is a link to the National Call Center to obtain answers to your questions about the federal agencies, benefits, and services.

Consumer Information: USA Government’s Official Web Site
http://www.usa.gov
This is a first class site which was ranked as the most effective federal web site for 2007 and 2008. It has numerous links, and a huge amount of information on identity theft, privacy, chain e-mails, staying safe online, and common tax scams. Don’t miss this one!

Other Links:
DPS:   http://www.dps.texas.gov/
HCSO:   http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/law-enforcement/sheriff/
Constables:   http://www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/law-enforcement/constables/
Texas Parks and Wildlife:   http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
TABC:   http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/
Borderland Beat:   http://www.borderlandbeat.com/
Terrorism Awareness Project:   http://terrorismawareness.org/
State of Texas Government:   http://www.texas.gov/en/Pages/default.aspx
Texas Department of Transportation:   http://www.dot.state.tx.us/default.htm
Texas Sex Offender Registry:   https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/index.aspx

Categories
News

HCSO Seeks Residential Gate Codes for Emergency Access

The Hays County sheriff’s office is asking residents that have a coded gate granting access to their property to provide the code so that dispatchers have it on file for emergencies.

Gated communities, private residences, apartment complexes and commercial properties are among the properties the sheriff’s office is seeking codes from to update its databases in the Emergency Communications Division.

Residents should email their gate code to vips@co.hays.tx.us with GATE CODE in the subject line or call 512-393-7373, according to the sheriff’s office.

The agency is also requesting the following information:

  • The name of the location
  • A contact person
  • The physical or 911 address
  • Any special instructions or extra information, such as whether a pet lives at the home or a resident is hearing impaired
  • A phone number

Categories
News

HCSO Announces Release of Citizen Observer / Tip411 Program

Sheriff Gary Cutler is pleased to announce the release of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Observer / Tip411 Program. In a press conference earlier today, Sheriff Cutler explained that this program will allow another form of secure communication between the citizens of Hays County and their Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

Citizen Observer is a web based program that allows citizens to subscribe to alerts and messages that can be sent by the sheriff’s office via email and text messaging. This will allow the Hays County Sheriff’s Office to send notifications and information out to the community in times of emergency. This program will also allow the sheriff’s office to send out information on ongoing investigations and crimes, in an attempt to solicit participation from the community.

The Tip411 portion of the program also citizens to submit tips to the sheriff’s office via text messaging from all mobile phones companies. This will allow the tipster to remain anonymous and to communicate with the sheriff’s office via text message.

To sign up for alerts go to www.citizenobserver.com
To text a tip text HCTXSO plus the information to 847411

You can also submit a tip via the Hays County Sheriff’s Office facebook page, by clicking “Submit a Tip”.

Categories
News

Introducing the Official Neighborhood Watch App

Report. Stay informed. Make a difference.

For nearly half a century the National Neighborhood Watch Program has been the premier crime prevention initiative in the United States, helping citizens to serve as additional “eyes and ears” for law enforcement. Now for the first time, Neighborhood Watch is introducing a mobile phone app for iPhone, Blackberry and Android platforms.

The Neighborhood Watch App has dynamic reporting capabilities including options to add photos and text to reports from Block Captains, volunteers, or from citizens who want to report anonymously. Linked to a proprietary database of law enforcement agencies from throughout the country, the Neighborhood Watch App enables citizens to report crime concerns, suspicious activities and community disorder. The NW App also offers innovative features such as mini training videos, and tips on starting, revitalizing or expanding your Neighborhood Watch. Additionally, our ‘Ask the Expert’ section allows users to query national crime prevention and Neighborhood Watch experts on topics of interest.

Since we are the Official Neighborhood Watch app there is no law enforcement agency subscription fee or monthly fee of any kind. The only charge associated with our program is the $1.99 app fee charged to those who download the app by the smart phone app stores (iPhone, Blackberry, Android). Additionally, for any Sheriff who purchases the app, 100% of those fees are donated to the National Sheriffs’ Association Education Fund.

To purchase the NW app, visit the app store for your type of phone, and search for “Neighborhood Watch Official Mobile App.”

Community Safety Institute
7841 W. Highland Rd.
Red Oak, Texas 75154
972-576-8662 Fax 972-576-8682
Email: neighborhood watch@nwapp.org
www.communitysafetyinstitute.org