This page contains articles and notices from the Crime Prevention and Safety committee.

Garland Traffic Investigators are trying to locate a hit & run driver along with the vehicle that struck 21 year old Shantrelle Osborne late this past Thursday night.  Police received a 911 call on December 03, around 10:00 pm of a severally injured female lying off the roadway in the 3300 block Naaman School Road.

Shantrelle was discovered by a passer-by who saw a purse lying in the roadway and stopped to check.  When the person got out of their car they heard a groaning noise just off the roadway and discovered Shantrelle lying several feet away with severe injuries.  911 was called and Shantrelle was transported to Baylor Hospital of Dallas in critical condition.  Shantrelle died from her injuries the next afternoon.

Traffic Investigators believe Shantrelle was walking west on Naaman School Road when she was struck by an east bound vehicle.  Some evidence was recovered from the scene but at this time investigators do not know the make or model of the vehicle that struck Shantrelle.

Police are asking for anyone who may have information about the driver or the vehicle that struck Shantrelle to please call Garland Crime Stoppers.  Callers may remain anonymous and will receive a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the hit & run death of Shantrelle Osborne.  972-272-8477.

Purse lying in roadway	Shantrelle Osborne	Naaman School Road

Garland Police and the FBI are trying to identify this man who robbed the Capital One Bank just after noon today.  The lone gunman entered the bank, located in the 2000 block of Northwest Highway, produced a gun and demanded money.  He got away with an undetermined amount of cash.  No one was injured during the robbery.  Police are asking for the publics help to identify this man.  He was described as a white male in his twenties, 5’8” – 5’11” tall and 140 -160 pounds.  

If anyone knows who this person may be they are asked to call the Dallas FBI or Garland Crime Stoppers; 972-272-8477.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Winter Safety Tips by Bill Olive

There is a great deal of information on the net regarding safety tips for the fall/winter seasons so I've included a bit of that info along with other tips I got from Captain Pollard's A shift at Garland's station 4 (these are the guys who were the instructors at the Citizen Fire Academy last year).  Sometimes we just need a quick reminder, and obviously, I can not include everything in detail so I'm asking that you to please use common sense and read directions (yes, men that's for us).  It's usually the best way to go. 

Gas heating systems-- Have a reputable heating expert check your gas heating system to make sure everything is in operating order.  Many companies offer bi-annual checkups - air/cooling system checked in the spring and furnace system in the fall.  This can add to the life of your system and usually the company will give you a break on any repairs and will place you at the top of the list for a visit if needed. 

Chimney's-- should be checked for soot, ash or bird/squirrel nests each year, especially if you burn wood.  It may be more economical for several neighbors to have their chimneys checked on the same day to get a price break from the "chimney sweep".   Keep things that can burn away from the fireplace and place a glass or metal screen in front of the opening so that embers etc. can not pop or blow out onto the floor and make sure the flue is opened before using a fireplace.  Carbon monoxide is odorless and it can kill quickly, opening the flue is critical. Please install CO (carbon monoxide) detectors (follow directions on the box) in your home preferably near sleeping areas. Turn off the gas to the fireplace when finished using it and then re-close your flue.  If you smell gas in your home-- DO NOT turn on any electrical switches, not even a cellphone.  GET OUT and call 911 from a safe distance--Some places advise you call the gas company, but it may take some time for them to arrive--calling 911 will ensure that the proper fire unit responds and fortunately, here in Oakridge, the response time is usually within 3 minutes. They will assess the problem, do what's necessary, and call the gas company.

Space heaters-- (always look for a label such as ETL, UL, or CSA (which means they are safety tested) and make sure the cord and plug are not damaged.   These small units can bring additional heat to a room but be careful where they are placed, they need space!   Keep them at least three feet away from anything flammable, such as curtains, bedding, furniture or stacks of papers and never leave children or pets in the room alone where there is a space heater. Never try to dry clothes or other items while holding them over a space heater.  Always turn them off when leaving the room or going to bed and never use an extension cord.  Another point; many of us take medication at bedtime which may make us drowsy so it's best to turn off and take care of fireplaces and heaters before taking medication. If needed, make a bedtime check list. 

Kitchen stoves-- Never use a kitchen stove as a source for heating your home.

Candles-- use sparingly, firefighters suggest using them only on the dining table at Thanksgiving and Christmas and then they should be extinguished after the meal. There are many new products that produce faux candle light using batteries rather than a flame and some of them are quite nice, offering different styles and designs.. Check them out! 

Cigarettes and cigars-- declare your home "A Smoke Free Zone" and send guests who want to indulge on a nice walk--not only is it safer--it will help keep your home furnishings fresher smelling and less likely to become yellowed. 

Christmas Tree Safety Tips From The State Fire Marshall-- If you are buying an artificial tree, it should bear the "Fire Resistant" label.  While this type of tree can catch fire, it will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.  If buying a natural tree, buy the freshest you can find.  A fresh tree should have green needles that are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break.  The trunk butt should be sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.  Watch out for trees with a greenish cast to their trunks and branches; many growers spray trees with green paint to make them look more appealing. (fresher looking).  As soon as you get the tree home, cut at least one inch off the trunk base to expose fresh wood for better absorption.  A tree will absorb as mush as a gallon of water or more in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts a day thereafter.  A seal of dry sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours so if water drops below the base of the tree,  the dry sap will prevent the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled.  If a seal does form, another fresh cut will need be made.  To maximum freshness and minimize fire risk, keep the tree outdoors for a few days in a bucket filled with water before bringing it indoors to decorate.  The tree stand should hold at least one gallon of water.  A six foot tree will absorb about one gallon every two days.  Put your tree away from fireplaces, portable heaters, heater vents, and TV sets.  Place it out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.  Use lights tested for safety (UL), check each set, throw out damaged sets, miniature lights are preferred for their cool-burning bulbs, use no more than three standard-sized sets on any extension cord (only one extension cord per outlet).  Before leaving home or going to bed turn off lights.

Fire Extinguishers--  It's better to have some and not need them than need them and not have any.  Firefighters advise homeowners have at least one in the kitchen and another in the garage and that it be type ABC, which will put out fires of most kinds.  The extinguishers should be large enough for home fires and in good condition.  Most have gauges on them with an arrow pointing to green or red.  If yours is not pointing to green consider it useless.  Get a new one.  Take the fire extinguisher and turn it upside down at least twice a year (do this the same time you set clocks back/forward) to stop chemicals from settling at the bottom.  Do not place the extinguisher in the back of a cabinet where it will be difficult to reach in an emergency.  If a fire does occur in your home and you can't put out the fire in a matter of 20-30 seconds call 911 immediately.  Even if you do put out the fire call 911 and have them send out the GFD so they can make sure there is no further danger from hidden fire or hot spots.  When using an extinguisher, never place yourself with the fire between you and the exit door.  Develop an exit plan for your family in case of a fire and practice with your children/grandchildren.  Make sure smoke detectors are in working condition and if your home is being monitored by an alarm company, test with the company on a regular basis.

One last tip: Make a batch of cookies and take them to that new neighbor or other resident whom you've been wanting to meet!

Notices

The Garland Power & Light (GP&L)

will start utility work in Oakridge early 2010...(more)

The Garland Health Department

reports first case of West Nile Virus in Garland resident...(more)

The Garland Health Department

reports the death of a Garland resident from influenza virus...(more)

The Garland Health Department

confirmed a case of rabies in a bat...(more)

Oakridge possible robbery attempt

suspect says your house is on fire, when you open the door....(more)

District 7 Crime Reports from the Garland Police Department

the Garland Police Department publishes a crime report each month....(more)

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Copyright © 2009 Oakridge Neighborhood Association
Last modified: December 08, 2009