On Friday, the Dallas Morning News ran a story of a chihuahua that was euthanized at the Garland animal shelter. According to the report, Jason Chessher, Garland's deputy health director, said the dog was killed because "she was considered aggressive and vicious."
 
When thousands of animals have to be euthanized daily across the country, why did this incident make the news? Supposedly because a woman learned the dog was at the shelter and wanted to rescue it. However, shelter policy, understandably, prohibits placing aggressive dogs.
 
That should have been the end of the story and wouldn't have made the news even in a small town paper.
 
Indeed, why did the DMN even waste the space and ink? The answer seems to be what else the reporter was able to stuff in as filler:

From the Dallas Morning News, August 27, Metro Section:
 
The Garland shelter came under criticism last year after a Dallas Morning News investigation revealed that the shelter was gassing animals in violation of state law and city rules, sometimes putting dogs and cats down within minutes of their arrival.
 

 
The statement is totally false; management and editorial staff at the paper know it to be false yet the falsehood is repeated Goebbels-style again. The "came under criticism" mentioned in the story was by Katie Fairbank, a reporter for the Dallas Morning News and financial contributor to animal rescue groups, who made those harsh claims in a series of articles and blog posts that accused the city of illegally killing animals and of "gassing young, sick or elderly cats and dogs."
 
In a post on Oct 18, 2009, How Unfair Is Katie Fairbank?, I revealed the falsehood:

 
In a Sept 19 article, Ms Fairbank refers to a sampling of records from 2007 that were provided to the newspaper by anonymous sources. She says these were "shelter records" and she refers to photographs taken of "illegally killed" kittens. (Why would the shelter take photographs of illegally-killed kittens?) She refers to a young dog as another example.
 
According to city personnel, she did ask staff on the afternoon of Sept 17 to investigate a number of incidents. She was told that records were not immediately available — that they were archived — but that her questions could be addressed within a few days. She agreed, telling staff members that she expected the story to run "in a few weeks" and to contact her with the findings. She called the next morning for the results, waiting little more than overnight. Her story was in the paper the following day. There were no other efforts to get the rest of the story even though there were successive articles and blog posts.
 
When those "records" were reviewed, staff was only able to find one instance of improper euthanasia, which was documented in a memo PDF to Council and the city manager: "After reviewing the records from 2007 provided by the media, there does appear to be one instance of an animal younger than four months of age that was euthanized by respiration of carbon monoxide. It was euthanized by a Shelter Attendant who is no longer employed by the City of Garland." Ms Fairbank later acknowledges that single incident but does nothing to correct her prior claims.
 

 
End of story. Last year.
 
Or so you might think. Yet another DMN personality, James Ragland, decided he has to "smirk" his wisdom about aggressive chihuahuas:

 
Guess we'll have to take the Garland animal shelter's word on this. And let me say right up front that I've never owned a Chihuahua or bee[n] threatened by one. So maybe the little pooches with big eyes can, indeed, be downright mean.
 
Still, it's hard for me to juxtapose that adjective—"vicious"—with that noun—"Chihuahua"[—]without smirking.
 
***
 
Must've been one mean dog.
 

 
Mr Ragland's readers seem to know more about the breed than he just "juxtaposes."
 
Gary H: "I seem to remember an article from a few years ago where a policeman somewhere was at a woman's door wanting to talk to her. She was non compliant and opened her door to sic her Chihuahuas on him. I think she was eventually arrested but the officer actually had to seek medical treatment at the hospital. I can only imagine the fun his coworkers had with that one when he returned."
 
Bill M: "I used to carry the U.S. mail. Chihuahuas were the worst. They were small; you couldn't see them. Meanwhile they were dashing around your feet nipping at your ankles. I used to speculate how far i could drop kick one."
 
Finally, my grandmother had a chihuahua that she loved and that loved her. He would do anything to protect her. I had the bites to prove it. Around small children, I'd juxtapose a German Shepherd or Lab any day.
 
UPDATE: There are numerous reporters at the DMN that I trust without reservation and they do a fine job of accurately reporting the news. Those that write about our city in "downtown Garland" seem to do such a better job than those that write in "downtown Dallas." Case in point, local reporter Ray Leszcynski gives additional information on the controversy between rescue groups and the shelter at the DMN Garland Blog.
 

City of Garland News Release

New City Facility Bears a Special Name

Goldie Locke's nephew and niece, Robert Locke, Jr. and Denise Richards, admire the photograph and plaque honoring Ms. Locke's service to the Garland community.

On August 26, 2010, the City of Garland officially dedicated the Goldie Locke Community Meeting Room inside the Duckworth Utility Services Building in Downtown Garland.
 
The new meeting space is named in honor of a long-time community leader. Goldie Irene Locke (1937-2008) devoted almost three decades to building community in Garland with her contribution of wisdom, knowledge and countless volunteer hours. She served the City of Garland, the Garland Independent School District, Parkland Hospital and numerous community and civic organizations. In 1984, she organized and became the founding president of the Garland Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Because Ms. Locke's tremendous sense of community fostered opportunity and justice for all citizens, the Garland City Council in partnership with the Executive Members of the Garland NAACP named the room in her honor.
 
During the dedication ceremony, Garland Mayor Ronald E. Jones referred to Ms. Locke as a courageous community activist. “Scripture says that some men’s works go before them and some men’s works come after them. Goldie’s good works and reputation went before and will linger on well into the future,” said Mayor Jones.
 
Garland NAACP President B.J. Williams turned to the lyrics of the song “The Impossible Dream” to describe Ms. Locke and her impact to the community she served. “This was her quest,” said Mr. Williams, “to fight for the right without question or pause. … And the world and the City of Garland will be better for this.”
 
Ms. Locke’s niece, Denise Richards, spoke of how her aunt loved her family, friends, community and church. Ms. Richards said of Ms Locke, “she didn’t take on any task in a small way. Her commitment was strong and she instilled that in her family as well.”
 
The Goldie Locke Community Meeting Room is located on the lower level of the Duckworth Building at 217 N. Fifth Street. The room has a capacity of up to 100 people and includes kitchen facilities, tables, chairs and audio/video capabilities. To find out more about reservations and room usage rules, contact Rene Dowl at 972-205-2670 or Carol Bentzlin 972-205-2653.
 

 
More on Goldie from previous posts: here and here. Ray Leszcynski with the Dallas Morning News was at the dedication and has posted his observations at the DMN Garland Blog.
 

City of Garland News Release

Volunteers Needed for Healthy Living Expo

Volunteers are the backbone of any important undertaking. The same is true for the Healthy Living Expo on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Garland ISD Special Events Center.
 
The event theme is “Healthy You, Healthy Earth.” The City of Garland, Garland ISD, Baylor Medical Center at Garland and the Garland Chamber of Commerce will join forces to demonstrate how caring for both ourselves and the earth creates a healthy lifestyle, and has a positive impact on the world around us. The Expo will offer exhibitor booths, free services, demonstrations and entertainment, all focused on helping citizens make positive changes to their daily lives.
 
Volunteer opportunities are available for adults and older teens. Duties will include exhibitor check in, guest and exhibitor relations, kids’ activities, and other interactive features. Some exhibitors will need volunteer manpower to help accept donations and recycling drop-offs.
 
Anyone interested in volunteering can download a volunteer application at www.GarlandGoesGreen.org or contact Shelley Franklin at 972-205-3285 or sfrankli@garlandtx.gov.
 

Garland Police News Release:

Garland Police Step Up “Curfew” Enforcement

With school starting again, the Garland Police Department will be giving extra attention to enforcing the city's “curfew” ordinance. The curfew is designed to protect juveniles or “minors” who may become victims of crime as well as reducing the amount of crime caused by juveniles during the late night hours. Each year, a significant number of minors either become victims of crime or participate in a number of criminal acts.
 
Under City Ordinance 26.10, the Garland “curfew” for minors (defined as any person under 17 years of age) is:

• 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
• 12:01a.m to 6 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Starting this weekend, this effort by the Police Department will target offenders roaming the streets in violation of the curfew ordinance as well as locations where minors may congregate after hours in violation of the ordinance. Minors violating the curfew hours may be detained, issued a warning, issued a citation, or in some cases may be taken into custody. In addition, the owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment may be cited if they knowingly allow a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours. All violations under this ordinance may result in a fine of up to $500.00.
 
There are certain defenses to prosecution under the ordinance. Parents, minors, business owners, and others are encouraged to re-familiarize themselves with the ordinance that has been in existence in Garland since 1994.
 
Offenses:

1. A minor commits an offense if he remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours.
2. A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if he knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours.
3. The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment commits an offense if he knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.

The Garland Police Department seeks the assistance of the entire community in making our community a safer place.
 

 

---

Garland City Ordinance 26.10: Curfew Hours For Minors

1. Definitions. In this section:
   
   1. Curfew hours means:
      
      1. 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. of the following day, on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday; and
      2. 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. on any Saturday or Sunday.
   2. Emergency means, but is not limited to, a fire, a natural disaster, an automobile accident, or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury, loss of life, or damage to property.
   3. Establishment means any privately owned place of business operated for a profit to which the public is invited, including, but not limited to any place of amusement or entertainment.
   4. Guardian means:
      
      1. A person who, under court order, is the guardian of the person of a minor; or
      2. A public or private agency with whom a minor has been placed by a court.
   5. Minor means any person under 17 years of age.
   6. Operator means any individual, firm, association, partnership or corporation operating, managing, or conducting any establishment. The term includes the members or partners of an association or partnership and the officers of a corporation.
   7. Parent means a person who is:
      
      1. A natural or adoptive parent or another person;
      2. At least 18 years of age and authorized by a parent or guardian to have the care and custody of a minor.
   8. Public place means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops.
   9. Remain means to:
      
      1. Linger or stay unnecessarily; or
      2. Fail to leave premises when requested to do so by a police officer or the owner, operator, or other person in control of the premises.
   10. Serious bodily injury means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
2. Offenses.
   
   1. A minor commits an offense if he remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours.
   2. A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if he knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the City during curfew hours.
   3. The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment commits an offense if he knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.
3. Defenses.
   
   1. It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (B) that the minor was:
      
      1. Accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian;
      2. On an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent or guardian without detour or stop;
      3. In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;
      4. Engaged in lawful employment activity, or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop;
      5. Involved in an emergency;
      6. On the sidewalk abutting the minor’s residence or abutting the residence of a next-door neighbor if the neighbor did not complain to the police officer about the minor’s presence;
      7. Attending an official school or religious activity or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the City, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor, or going to or returning home from, without detour or stop, an official school or religious activity or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the City, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor;
      8. Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, and the right of assembly; or
      9. Married or had been married or had disabilities of minority removed in accordance with chapter 31 of the Texas Family Code.
   2. It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (B)(3) that the owner, operator, or employee of an establishment promptly notified the Police Department that a minor was present on the premises of the establishment during curfew hours and refused to leave.
4. Enforcement. Before taking any enforcement action under this section, a police officer shall ask the apparent offender’s age and reason for being in the public place. The officer shall not issue a citation or make an arrest under this section until the officer reasonably believes that an offense has occurred and that, based on any response and other circumstances, no defense under subsection (C) is present.
5. Penalties.
   
   1. A person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a separate offense for each day or part of a day during which the violation is committed, continued, or permitted. Each offense, upon conviction, is punishable by fine not to exceed $500.00.
   2. When required by section 51.08 of the Texas Family Code, as amended, the municipal court shall waive original jurisdiction over a minor who violates subsection (B)(1) of this section and shall refer the minor to juvenile court.

(Ordinance 4789, sec. 1, adopted 7/19/94; Ordinance 5735, sec. 1, adopted 6/3/03; Ordinance 6116, sec. 1, adopted 4/3/07; Ordinance 6380, sec. 1, adopted 2/16/10)
 
State law references–Review of juvenile curfew order or ordinance, V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, sec. 370.002; children taken into custody for violation of juvenile curfew or order, Tex. Code Crim. Proc., art. 45.059.
 

The Eastern Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike (SH-190) starts in north Garland near Firewheel Town Center and will terminate at I-30. The last leg, which is being constructed by TxDOT, is across Lake Ray Hubbard and then a connection to I-30. Many support pylons and bridge spans have been constructed but much remains to be completed before the Fall, 2011, opening. Tugs and barges move equipment into place for the over-the-water project. Photo by Shae Athas.

From NTTA President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Update, Aug, 2010:
 

President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Click graphic for large version

The Eastern Extension is a portion of the outer loop around Dallas and its suburbs that connects Interstate Highway (IH) 30 to the existing President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). It is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor first envisioned in the 1960s. Construction on the approximately 9.9-mile corridor began in October 2008. The project is expected to open to traffic in fourth quarter 2011.
 
Corridor Updates

• In Section 28, construction continued on the retaining walls. Crews
  continued to place main lane concrete pavement between SH 78
  and the Rowlett Creek bridge, and workers continued concrete
  bridge deck placements on both the east- and westbound Rowlett
  Creek bridges.
• In Section 29, the contractor continued to work on both sets of
  bridges: PGBT EE over Merritt Road as well as Miles Road over
  PGBT EE. In addition, sub-grade preparation for both main lane
  and frontage roads continued, as did the installation of intelligent
  transportation systems and roadway lighting. Placement
  of concrete pavement on main lanes is also scheduled to begin.
• In Section 30, the contractor continued assembling the DART
  railroad steel girder spans.
• In Section 31, construction continued on the retaining walls, paving
  of frontage roads and staged construction over Miller Road.
  In addition, moisture-treated sub-grade placement will continue
  for main lane pavement as will the construction of bridges over
  Miller Road.
• Section 32, which includes a bridge over Lake Ray Hubbard, is
  being constructed by TxDOT.

Next Steps

• Open the service road in front of the Mariners Cove subdivision in Rowlett, Section 30
• Finish DART bridge in Section 30 and open new DART tracks
• Continue construction on all sections

Corridor Details

• Project limits: Extends the PGBT from SH 78 to IH 30
• Project length: Approximately 9.9 miles
• Anticipated project cost: Approximately $1 billion
• Anticipated NTTA cost: Approximately $623 million
• Anticipated opening date (all sections): Fourth quarter 2011

Project Partners

  TxDOT, Dallas County, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Sachse
 

 
Sections 28 and 29, the two closest to north Garland, are showing the most progress. In several places the concrete roadway is already in place and preparations to pour more are obvious.
 
UPDATE: Proving that great minds think alike, Dallas Morning News reporter Ray Leszcynski today posts some additional information on the SH-190/I-30 interchange at the DMN Garland Blog. It may have less impact on north Garland residents than to others in the city, but it is very timely to the update and picture posted above.
 

Garland Police Department News Release:

Garland Police Increase DWI Enforcement

During the back-to-school time period and the upcoming Labor Day holiday, the Garland Police Department will increase Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) patrols for the Impaired Driver Mobilization (IDM) project. The project is funded through a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation grant which targets DWI along with Driving Under the Influence by Minors (DUI Minor).
 
The additional nighttime patrols began Friday, August 20 and will run through Monday, September 6. Officers will utilize both marked and unmarked police cars for the patrols.
 
So far in 2010, Garland Police have recorded 260 alcohol-related arrests that resulted in DWI or DUI Minor charges. In 2009, 955 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes across the state of Texas, while 27,108 alcohol-related crashes caused 17,542 injuries (preliminary data).
 
Convicted first-time DWI offenders can pay a fine of up to $2,000, lose their driver's license for up to a year, and serve 180 days in jail. Safety officials say other costs associated with an impaired driving arrest and conviction can add up to more than $17,000 for bail, legal fees, court appearances, court-ordered classes, vehicle insurance increases and other expenses.
 

 

Garland Police News Release:

Murder charges to be filed against 12- and 13-year-old

Garland Police responded to the report of a man being shot in the 600-block of Rilla Drive around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. When they arrived they found 48-year-old Alan Nevil in his next door neighbor's front yard suffering from a gun shot wound. He was able to tell officers who had shot him before being transported to Baylor Hospital of Dallas where he underwent surgery. He is listed in stable condition today.
 
Officers then entered Nevil’s home where they found his wife, 46-year-old Darlene Nevil, dead. It appeared to officers she had also been shot.
 
Police followed the suspect information they received from Mr. Nevil. They located and took into custody a 12-year-old female and 13-year-old male several blocks away without incident. Police also recovered a hand gun believed to be the weapon used to shoot Mr. and Mrs. Nevil.
 
Police detectives interviewed the two and are now in the process of filing Murder and Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon against both the 12-year-old female and 13-year-old male. The two have been transported to the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center where they remain in custody on those charges.
 

 
Update: Some additional information is available in the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Garland has several ground-level water storage tanks, all with greater capacity than elevated tanks. We've long had an old, small elevated tank on Forest but only until recently did we add another elevated tank, this time near the intersection of SH-66 and Country Club. Additional information on the tank was posted previously before the tank was raised to the top of the column, as shown at that post.   A strong advantage of the elevated tank is constant water pressure and a primary reason for this tank at this location. With the ground-level tanks, pressure is maintained by pumps and will change when pumps cycle on or off.   Another advantage built into most new elevated tanks, including this one, is the ability to mount communication antennas to the tank, especially those of private wireless carriers. The carriers benefit from being able to use an existing structure and cities benefit from lease payments.   Click the graphic to see inside a typical elevated tank. Some might be surprised to learn that the column holds no water. Also, the top of the tank can be accessed for maintenance by climbing through the middle of the water tank at the top.   The following information was recently shared with the Council:

City of Garland Dedicates New Elevated Water Storage Tank

July 22, 2010—The City of Garland Water Utilities today dedicated its recently completed 2.5 million gallon capacity elevated water storage tank, the first of its type in the city. Rising 220 feet from its Commerce Street location, the tank was necessary to meet the public water system capacity requirements mandated by the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality). The additional storage will also help maintain optimum system pressure year-round to residential and commercial customers in the east pressure plane, and provide cost and energy savings to the city by reducing the amount of pumping and pumping changes required to meet system demands.
 
Landmark Structures of Fort Worth served as general contractor on the project, and Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP was consulting engineer.
 
About composite elevated tanks...
Elevated tanks utilize the power of gravity rather than pumps to help provide and regulate water pressure within the system, and add capacity to cover peak demand periods as well as emergency requirements. Storage capacity is dictated by water system design and supply, as well as the number of households served. The new 2.5 million gallon Garland tank, for example, can hold the equivalent of 3.8 Olympic-size swimming pools, and supports that weight on its extremely strong, maintenance-free reinforced concrete pedestal. This configuration, called a Composite Elevated Tank (combining a concrete support structure and welded steel tank) is the most popular version for large capacity elevated storage (tanks of 500,000 gallon capacity and greater).
 

 
Garland has had other elevated tanks though. One was downtown and can be seen here near the old power plant building.
 

City of Garland News Release

Plan Ahead for Garland's Healthy Living Expo

	When:	Saturday, September 25, 2010
		9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
	Where:	GISD Special Events Center
		4999 Naaman Forest Blvd.

 
Learn how to improve your personal health and the health of the environment all in one event: Healthy Living Expo 2010 – Healthy You, Healthy Earth. The City of Garland, Garland ISD, Baylor Medical Center at Garland and the Garland Chamber of Commerce will join forces on Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the GISD Special Events Center, to look at how caring for both ourselves and the earth creates a healthy lifestyle and has a positive impact on the world around us.
 
The Expo will offer exhibitor booths, free services, demonstrations and entertainment, all focused on helping citizens make positive changes to their daily lives. Healthy You Exhibitors will provide health screenings and immunizations, plus information on prevention services, stress reduction, fitness and much more. Meanwhile, Healthy Earth Exhibitors will share information about recycling, conservation, energy efficiency, gardening and alternative fuel vehicles.
 
The Expo will also feature Radio Disney with music, games and prizes that rock, plus special activities for the kids, including bounce houses, face painting, crafts and games. Adoptable pets from the City of Garland Animal Shelter will be available on site for those who are ready to add a furry friend to their family.
 
Plan ahead to contribute to a healthier community by donating and recycling several items on site. You can bring personal documents to be shredded, gently used athletic shoes, eyeglasses, outdated or unused medications, and plastic shopping bags. You can also register (in advance) for a free composting class; call 972-205-3500 by September 22.
 
Don’t forget about the environmental contests: Doing Good for the Environment competition for students who have implemented an environmentally friendly service project; and Expo Art Contest for adults whose artistic creation is comprised of at least 70% reused, recycled, or natural materials.
 
For more information on all of these activities, visit www.GarlandGoesGreen.org. Exhibitor space and volunteer opportunities are still available.
 

City of Garland News Release:

Experience a Technology Petting Zoo at the Central Library

The Nicholson Memorial Library System's Central Library will host a Technology Petting Zoo on Saturday, August 14 from 2-3:30 p.m. The come-and-go event will feature a variety of today's popular electronic gadgets. Explore these new technologies and get hands-on experience as Library staff demonstrates how to use the Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader digital book reader, the iPod Touch, a netbook, and Nintendo Wii.
 
No registration is required and the event is free. The Central Library is located at 625 Austin Street, in downtown Garland. Call 972-205-2502 for more information.
 

The reported incidents of crime in District 1 rose about 10% over last month, which was the highest since December but almost 10% below a year ago (104 incidents).
 
As noted in the chart below, there was no significant rise over last month in any category except thefts. Of those incidents, 60% were suspects apprehended for shoplifting.
 
[The title to this post was an allusion to the ironic timing of the data and the pending return to school for much of the community. While shoplifting and thefts in general were responsible for the rise in statistics, any conjecture of a tie to school is baseless. I don't have any data as the ages of the suspects so I have no evidence that any of these individuals was actually "shopping" for school or that the majority were youths. No actual besmirching is intended.]
 
A bit alarming and unusual, all the home burglaries in July were in the eastern half of the district and two of the incidents were on the same street. This does often point to the same individuals committing multiple break-ins in the area. On the positive side, once apprehended, incidents in the area drop dramatically. Unfortunately, until apprehended, they could easily move to another part of the District or city. The quickest way to catch these thieves is to watch for strangers in your neighborhood and report suspicious events to the police, such as descriptions of individuals, vehicle color, and license numbers. Remember, our Neighborhood Police Officers use that data very effectively. It really does help.
 
The car burglars were more democratic, hitting vehicles across the District. It is so critical to not leave items in view that will give someone looking through the windows any desire to break-in. Of course, forgetting to roll up the windows or to lock the doors is a special invitation to explore those areas not regularly visible. Save a thief from himself—don't leave him a chance to steal.
 
If you want to review the areas that have reported incidents over the last month, download the complete report here for address-by-address information that includes your neighborhood. If you are a Garland resident reading this but do not live in District 1, you can get reports for your area here on the Police Department's website or from your Council member.
 

Near Firewheel Town Center 
 

From North Texas Tollway Authority:

Southbound SH 78 to westbound President George Bush Turnpike ramp to be closed overnight Aug. 8-12, 2010 The southbound SH 78 to westbound PGBT ramp in Garland will be closed each night from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. from Aug. 8-12, 2010. Traffic will be detoured onto Firewheel Parkway from SH 78. Motorists will be able to turn right (west) on the westbound frontage road (current main lanes). A lighted message board is on site to assist motorists.

Click to enlarge.