Important Safety Tips from the Southlake Police Department

National Night Out in Town Square is only a few weeks away. Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, October 1 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It’s always a fun night for the whole family and educational too. Residents will learn how to be more safety conscious and aware of their surroundings whether at home or out shopping and dining in the City.

The Southlake Police Department offers safety tips and programs year-round.  The Hide, Lock, Take program is a great one to remember every time you park your vehicle. Just remember these simple guidelines – Hide, Lock, Take. Hide your valuables in the trunk of your vehicle. Never leave items in plain sight inside your car; always Lock your vehicle to deter thieves; and remember to Take your keys with you.

Police Chief James Brandon says, “The Southlake Police Department appreciates the partnership we have developed with our citizens. Through social media messaging and visible reminders of posted Hide, Lock, Take, signs in shopping centers, we have seen a marked decrease in thefts from vehicles thanks to your efforts.”

The Southlake Police Department also provides many other important safety reminders to help keep our residents safe.

Vacation House Watch: If you are planning to go on vacation, contact the police department and make arrangements to have your home added to the special police patrol while you’re away. Information on our Vacation House Watch program can be found on the City of Southlake website www.cityofsouthlake.com.

Protect your mail: While you’re away, have your mail held at the post office or have mail and packages picked up immediately. Never leave packages visible on your porch and never leave mail in your mailbox for a lengthy period of time. Thieves are known to follow delivery trucks and postal carriers and then grab items that are left out in public view.

Report suspicious vehicles: If you notice a vehicle making multiple passes through your neighborhood and something seems “off”, contact the police department by either dialing 9-1-1 for emergencies or the non-emergency number at (817) 743-4522 to report it. Southlake Police will respond immediately and attempt to make contact with the driver to determine if they have a legitimate reason to be in the area.

Don’t answer your door to strangers: It may seem cliché, but it happens everyday. Someone knocks on your door and your instinct is to answer it. BUT DON’T. If it is someone you don’t know – don’t open the door. If the person doesn’t leave and you feel frightened, call 9-1-1, or if the person is being a nuisance, contact the police department at the non-emergency phone number (817) 743-4522.

We would also recommend that you write down the non-emergency phone number and place it on your refrigerator door or a place that is easily accessible to you and your family. Make sure your children are aware of these tips, and the phone number to call, in the event of a situation that is not a 9-1-1 emergency.

Last but not least, use the police department’s Exchange Zone when meeting someone to sell or purchase an item from websites like Craigslist.

Exchange Zone: This is an area at the police department that is monitored by video surveillance 24/7. It can be used for the exchange of items bought or sold through various websites. The Exchange Zone can also be used for child custody exchanges. The Exchange Zone is located on the southeast corner of DPS Headquarters in the last two parking spaces on the far row on Division Street. **Again, it is monitored by video surveillance 24/7.

Did you know that you have a District Sergeant assigned to your neighborhood? If you would like to get to know your District Sergeant, he or she can be found here. Your District Sergeant will be happy to speak to your Home Owners Association (HOA) group to deliver additional safety tips and answer any safety questions you might have.

The Southlake Police Department is here to provide you with quality service 24/7. Please don’t hesitate to contact our department for any reason. We are always happy to assist you.