The Southlake Police Department is dedicated to constantly improving the team to serve the people of the city with the highest level of skills. That takes world class training for every single officer – including Zeusz, the department’s K9.
With the introduction of a new state-of-the-art K9 agility training facility unlike any other in the area, the Southlake Police Department is better equipped to not only ensure that two-year old Zeusz is in the best physical shape possible, but that he is introduced to real-world scenarios he and his handler must be prepared to navigate while keeping the city safe.
“The course is designed to assist canines with overcoming physical obstacles that they may face while on duty, such as jumping a fence, going upstairs, jumping through residential or vehicular windows, and crawling in dark and tight spaces,” K9 Officer Nathaniel Anderson said. “These are all necessary skill sets that may be needed to save the life of an officer or citizen when it relates to apprehending a suspect.”
The Southlake Police Department, consistently recognized for its highest level of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), established its K9 Unit around 2011. This addition was made to elevate safety, protection, and operational effectiveness in serving the citizens of Southlake, demonstrating the department's commitment to innovation and enhancing officer capabilities.
“When it comes to locating suspects and detecting narcotics, K9s are incredibly more skilled than we are as humans,” Officer Anderson explained. “If the city did not have a K-9 Unit we would possibly have to take unnecessary risk when there is simply a better tool to assist us in accomplishing a goal.”
Under the supervision of Officer Anderson, a Master Peace Officer and certifying official for the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, the K9 Unit has developed into an integral branch of Southlake’s Police Department. Since its implementation, the K9 Unit has initiated over 1,000 school searches, participated in several SWAT deployments, and apprehended approximately 15 felony suspects.
The integration of the K9 Agility Training Course is simply the newest way Anderson and the Southlake Police Department aim to fine-tune the capabilities of the K9 Unit in order to continue world-class service.
“The city provided the K9 unit with this agility course, per my request,” Officer Anderson said. “Now it’s up to me to invest the time and energy into ensuring that Zeusz and I are prepared for the challenges that we may face on the streets.”
Each year, the brutal Texas summer takes its toll on previously manicured grass, AC units, and the water supply. Increased temperatures and little rainfall lead to drought conditions that make way for increased wildfires and grassfires each season; The Southlake Fire Department continues to provide assistance to areas in need.
As temperatures rise, so does the need for extra resources – water, gear, and helping hands, but Southlake Fire, a Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFDA) partner, is no stranger to a bond that begins with one of the golden rules – sharing is caring. This week on Minute with the Mayor, Mayor John Huffman meets with Lieutenant Frank Molinets of the Southlake Fire Department to get an in-depth look at the Wildland Deployment Program.
“Throughout the year, we participate in many deployments throughout the state of Texas, mainly wildland deployments, where we send wildland-trained firefighters out to support local jurisdictions in any time of need. For the last few years, Texas has experienced drought conditions, and these resources have been needed throughout the state on multiple occasions,” said Molinets.
The Southlake Fire Department debuted its new Tender, an apparatus that stores up to 3,000 gallons of water, on a deployment to Fort Stockton this summer. This piece of equipment assisted in extinguishing roadside flames and keeping people and animals who live there safe.
Positions on the Wildland team are highly coveted, and practice with new equipment and tactics continues long after the drought season is over. With firefighters dedicating over 100 hours each of initial training, yearly preparation with regional and state partners, and much more, the Southlake crews are ready to tackle the smoke and flames ahead.
Depending on the severity, deployments can last a few days to a few weeks, but no matter the duration, the Protect Southlake team continues to rise to the occasion.
As he listened in on what the program entailed, Mayor Huffman remarked, “It really speaks to the heart that you have and the heart that your team has, that you guys would take the time to get trained for this, but also take the time to deploy.”
To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.
Each year, the brutal Texas summer takes its toll on previously manicured grass, AC units, and the water supply. Increased temperatures and little rainfall lead to drought conditions that make way for increased wildfires and grassfires each season; The Southlake Fire Department continues to provide assistance to areas in need.
As temperatures rise, so does the need for extra resources – water, gear, and helping hands, but Southlake Fire, a Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFDA) partner, is no stranger to a bond that begins with one of the golden rules – sharing is caring. This week on Minute with the Mayor, Mayor John Huffman meets with Lieutenant Frank Molinets of the Southlake Fire Department to get an in-depth look at the Wildland Deployment Program.
“Throughout the year, we participate in many deployments throughout the state of Texas, mainly wildland deployments, where we send wildland-trained firefighters out to support local jurisdictions in any time of need. For the last few years, Texas has experienced drought conditions, and these resources have been needed throughout the state on multiple occasions,” said Molinets.
The Southlake Fire Department debuted its new Tender, an apparatus that stores up to 3,000 gallons of water, on a deployment to Fort Stockton this summer. This piece of equipment assisted in extinguishing roadside flames and keeping people and animals who live there safe.
Positions on the Wildland team are highly coveted, and practice with new equipment and tactics continues long after the drought season is over. With firefighters dedicating over 100 hours each of initial training, yearly preparation with regional and state partners, and much more, the Southlake crews are ready to tackle the smoke and flames ahead.
Depending on the severity, deployments can last a few days to a few weeks, but no matter the duration, the Protect Southlake team continues to rise to the occasion.
As he listened in on what the program entailed, Mayor Huffman remarked, “It really speaks to the heart that you have and the heart that your team has, that you guys would take the time to get trained for this, but also take the time to deploy.”
To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.
Each year, the brutal Texas summer takes its toll on previously manicured grass, AC units, and the water supply. Increased temperatures and little rainfall lead to drought conditions that make way for increased wildfires and grassfires each season; The Southlake Fire Department continues to provide assistance to areas in need.
As temperatures rise, so does the need for extra resources – water, gear, and helping hands, but Southlake Fire, a Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFDA) partner, is no stranger to a bond that begins with one of the golden rules – sharing is caring. This week on Minute with the Mayor, Mayor John Huffman meets with Lieutenant Frank Molinets of the Southlake Fire Department to get an in-depth look at the Wildland Deployment Program.
“Throughout the year, we participate in many deployments throughout the state of Texas, mainly wildland deployments, where we send wildland-trained firefighters out to support local jurisdictions in any time of need. For the last few years, Texas has experienced drought conditions, and these resources have been needed throughout the state on multiple occasions,” said Molinets.
The Southlake Fire Department debuted its new Tender, an apparatus that stores up to 3,000 gallons of water, on a deployment to Fort Stockton this summer. This piece of equipment assisted in extinguishing roadside flames and keeping people and animals who live there safe.
Positions on the Wildland team are highly coveted, and practice with new equipment and tactics continues long after the drought season is over. With firefighters dedicating over 100 hours each of initial training, yearly preparation with regional and state partners, and much more, the Southlake crews are ready to tackle the smoke and flames ahead.
Depending on the severity, deployments can last a few days to a few weeks, but no matter the duration, the Protect Southlake team continues to rise to the occasion.
As he listened in on what the program entailed, Mayor Huffman remarked, “It really speaks to the heart that you have and the heart that your team has, that you guys would take the time to get trained for this, but also take the time to deploy.”
To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.
Each year, the brutal Texas summer takes its toll on previously manicured grass, AC units, and the water supply. Increased temperatures and little rainfall lead to drought conditions that make way for increased wildfires and grassfires each season; The Southlake Fire Department continues to provide assistance to areas in need.
As temperatures rise, so does the need for extra resources – water, gear, and helping hands, but Southlake Fire, a Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFDA) partner, is no stranger to a bond that begins with one of the golden rules – sharing is caring. This week on Minute with the Mayor, Mayor John Huffman meets with Lieutenant Frank Molinets of the Southlake Fire Department to get an in-depth look at the Wildland Deployment Program.
“Throughout the year, we participate in many deployments throughout the state of Texas, mainly wildland deployments, where we send wildland-trained firefighters out to support local jurisdictions in any time of need. For the last few years, Texas has experienced drought conditions, and these resources have been needed throughout the state on multiple occasions,” said Molinets.
The Southlake Fire Department debuted its new Tender, an apparatus that stores up to 3,000 gallons of water, on a deployment to Fort Stockton this summer. This piece of equipment assisted in extinguishing roadside flames and keeping people and animals who live there safe.
Positions on the Wildland team are highly coveted, and practice with new equipment and tactics continues long after the drought season is over. With firefighters dedicating over 100 hours each of initial training, yearly preparation with regional and state partners, and much more, the Southlake crews are ready to tackle the smoke and flames ahead.
Depending on the severity, deployments can last a few days to a few weeks, but no matter the duration, the Protect Southlake team continues to rise to the occasion.
As he listened in on what the program entailed, Mayor Huffman remarked, “It really speaks to the heart that you have and the heart that your team has, that you guys would take the time to get trained for this, but also take the time to deploy.”
To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.
Our #ProtectSouthlake Team just got a little bigger! Explore the new Fire Department Tender as it debuts right here in this exclusive Minute with the Mayor.
As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to highlight safety and security, National Safety Month is part of the bigger picture when it comes to how Southlake operates. This week on Minute with the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Shawn McCaskill took a field trip to Southlake DPS Station 1 to meet with Deputy Chief Jeremy Wilson about a specialty apparatus designed to kick our fire response up a notch.
In December 2022, the Fire Department received a new piece of equipment called the Tender. This apparatus is heavy-duty, complete with enough storage for 3,000 gallons of water. It is outfitted with a portable storage tank that allows the Protect Southlake Team to work without interruption.
“We really designed it to be able to dump water at a scene and respond back to another location and fill it up with water. It ensures that we have fire suppression if we lose water because of inclement weather or if we have events where we lose power and our pumps can't run,” said Deputy Chief Wilson.
This integral feature supports the efforts of the Southlake Fire Department to provide a rapid and relentless response to fires, especially in the upcoming heat of summer months.
Firefighters have been trained at Tarrant County College during the acquisition of this apparatus to better serve the community.
Although a large investment, this worthwhile piece of the safety and security puzzle provides Southlake’s citizens with the best possible protection. “Well, from a City Council perspective, we're ready, willing, and able — and y'all know this — to support you all with whatever equipment you need, including this new piece of equipment. And we're happy to do that and provide that in our budget,” said McCaskill.
To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.
The City of Southlake is getting ready to kick off Public Works Week 2023 with an entire week dedicated to recognizing and celebrating their hard work! From May 21 to May 27, the city will honor the dedicated professionals who provide essential services that help keep Southlake safe, clean, and connected.
Have you ever stopped to think about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making the city function smoothly? From providing safe drinking water to ensuring our roads are well-maintained, our Public Works Team plays a vital role in keeping our community functioning every day including when emergencies arise.
“So many times in emergency situations, whether it be winter storms, spring storms, or other emergencies such as the DalDen fires, Public Works personnel have stepped in and assisted the police and fire as first responders just as well, so they deserve that recognition for everything that they do to help out other departments in our city,” said Deputy Director of Public Works Jack Thompson.
Texas has experienced a few storms, from snow to hail, within the last couple of years. The city's Public Works Operations and Emergency Management Operations team created a strategy to address these crises, currently known as the Rapid Response Team Trailer.
The trailer is equipped with adaptable emergency equipment for various situations and is available for use at any moment. The emergency tools include tree and debris removal/management, shovels, ropes, and traffic management devices.
“Our department works across many systems and departments,” said Thompson, “Our work is essential and the foundation of keeping the city running.”
This week, residents can also get in on the fun and meet our heroes behind the scenes with a Dump Truck Story Time event on Tuesday, May 23, at Rustin Park at 10 a.m., hosted by the Southlake Public Library. Kids will get to take pictures with big trucks and enjoy a fun book.
“Every day, we have clean drinking water, clear roads and pathways, and drainage systems, we have our Public Works team to thank for that. They are also the first to arrive on the scene in an emergency,” said Thompson.
If you see our guys out on the streets. Give them a thumbs up!
Are you worried about how to stay informed during a weather emergency? The Office of Emergency Management has taken steps to help protect and keep employees informed when inclement weather strikes.
By installing weather radios throughout City facilities, they are providing a reliable source of communication that can operate without power or online access. With their ability to send out warnings and advisories, these radios are essential for those living in areas prone to severe weather and could help you get Weather Prepared.
Over the last several years, Southlake has had its share of weather events. In these instances, the Office of Emergency Management would utilize social media, Alert Southlake, and the Outdoor Warning Sirens to keep residents and employees safe and informed.
Over the next few weeks, OEM team members will install 30 NOAA Weather Radios throughout all City facilities. These radios operate within the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) national network, which encompasses a network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Many may ask why NOAA weather radios when technology has advanced so much?” Emergency Manager Amanda Meneses stated.
"Everyone should have multiple ways to receive weather information; no one way is all-inclusive. Today, many people receive these alerts on their phones with many different services, such as Alert Southlake, but how often do we silence our phones and walk away? These radios will always alert of warnings, much like an alarm clock, and deliver pertinent safety information such as directions to seek shelter," said Meneses.
All radios are NOAA certified, come equipped with a battery back-up in the event we lose power and can transmit emergency message audio alerts for Tornado Watches and Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings, Flood Watches, Flash Flood Warnings, and many other inclement weather conditions.
The radios can also be utilized for non-weather-related emergency messages, such as Amber Alerts and Law Enforcement Warnings. Additionally, each radio can be customized to the local area for alerts that are relevant to our location.
In Meneses’ view, when it comes to weather, we should keep our communication options open.
“I hope we are setting the example for all to follow, we are not relying on a single method, and neither should residents,” said Meneses. “In Texas, the weather changes so quickly, and the storms have become much more violent; we have to have multiple ways to receive alerts to take the best safety actions.”
For more information about emergency management in Southlake, go to www.CityofSouthlake.com/EmergencyManagement.
Here is a smattering of the multitude of actions performed by your Southlake police officers from January 20th, 2023 to January 27th, 2023:
--Officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle in the Home Depot parking lot. They found it had been stolen and the driver was in possession of narcotics. The driver was arrested for drugs and UUMV (Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle).
--A catalytic converter was stolen from a car in the Orange Theory parking lot early one morning.
--Officers pulled over a car on Lake Crest Drive and found the driver had warrants out of Arlington PD. When the driver and car were searched, officers located a meth pipe and 2.1 grams of meth. The driver was arrested for Possession PG 1.
--Officers responded to a crash near the intersection of Aberdeen Way and Byron Nelson. An SUV had gone airborne and landed in a tree, knocking it over. The white Porsche SUV was severely damaged and three of the four tires were off the ground. All occupants (three juveniles) were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. A DWI Open Container was filed out of custody. Parents were notified.
--There was an accident westbound Highway 114 where a Nissan SUV struck and 18-wheeler and rolled multiple times before coming to a rest. Officers worked with Southlake Fire to evaluate the driver and free him from the overturned car. After finding them to be alert, officers conducted SFSTs on them and the driver was arrested for DWI. Witnesses stayed on scene and helped provide statements.
--Multiple vendors driving large trucks were cited for noise behind Moxie’s after idling around 5:00 am one morning.
Officer Acosta was conducting a business check behind Lowe's at approximately 2:40 am and observed a person jump into a parked vehicle. As he drove closer, he saw brake lights illuminate and the vehicle begin to drive away without any headlights on. As Officer Acosta pulled in behind the vehicle, he noticed that the trunk was open. He followed the vehicle as it exited onto the service road. A traffic stop was initiated, and the vehicle stopped in the Costco parking lot. Officer Acosta observed several bags of potting soil inside the vehicle through the opening of the trunk. He contacted the driver Jesus Garcia and the passenger Mary Sanchez.
Jesus was interviewed about the alleged theft and a status check on both suspects showed they had active warrants. Both individuals were arrested on the confirmed warrants. Attempts were made to contact Lowe's representatives in order to positively identify their product and provide an itemized receipt but were unsuccessful. Contact was made with their Loss Prevention. B&B Wrecker was utilized to tow the vehicle back to the East station where the potting soil was unloaded and stored in the vehicle bay for safekeeping. Great initiative and observation Officer Acosta!
Here is a smattering of the multitude of actions performed by your Southlake police officers from January 20th, 2023 to January 27th, 2023:
--Officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle in the Home Depot parking lot. They found it had been stolen and the driver was in possession of narcotics. The driver was arrested for drugs and UUMV (Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle).
--A catalytic converter was stolen from a car in the Orange Theory parking lot early one morning.
--Officers pulled over a car on Lake Crest Drive and found the driver had warrants out of Arlington PD. When the driver and car were searched, officers located a meth pipe and 2.1 grams of meth. The driver was arrested for Possession PG 1.
--Officers responded to a crash near the intersection of Aberdeen Way and Byron Nelson. An SUV had gone airborne and landed in a tree, knocking it over. The white Porsche SUV was severely damaged and three of the four tires were off the ground. All occupants (three juveniles) were transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. A DWI Open Container was filed out of custody. Parents were notified.
--There was an accident westbound Highway 114 where a Nissan SUV struck and 18-wheeler and rolled multiple times before coming to a rest. Officers worked with Southlake Fire to evaluate the driver and free him from the overturned car. After finding them to be alert, officers conducted SFSTs on them and the driver was arrested for DWI. Witnesses stayed on scene and helped provide statements.
--Multiple vendors driving large trucks were cited for noise behind Moxie’s after idling around 5:00 am one morning.
Officer Acosta was conducting a business check behind Lowe's at approximately 2:40 am and observed a person jump into a parked vehicle. As he drove closer, he saw brake lights illuminate and the vehicle begin to drive away without any headlights on. As Officer Acosta pulled in behind the vehicle, he noticed that the trunk was open. He followed the vehicle as it exited onto the service road. A traffic stop was initiated, and the vehicle stopped in the Costco parking lot. Officer Acosta observed several bags of potting soil inside the vehicle through the opening of the trunk. He contacted the driver Jesus Garcia and the passenger Mary Sanchez.
Jesus was interviewed about the alleged theft and a status check on both suspects showed they had active warrants. Both individuals were arrested on the confirmed warrants. Attempts were made to contact Lowe's representatives in order to positively identify their product and provide an itemized receipt but were unsuccessful. Contact was made with their Loss Prevention. B&B Wrecker was utilized to tow the vehicle back to the East station where the potting soil was unloaded and stored in the vehicle bay for safekeeping. Great initiative and observation Officer Acosta!
