Welcome to UPdate. This mid-month publication provides residents with timely information about upcoming City projects, programs and events. You can sign up for things too.
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Park Cities Recycling Event - Saturday, November 6 |
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The next Park Cities recycling event will take place in the SMU parking lot on the south side of Burleson Park Saturday, November 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Here is another chance to clear out your garage, attic and closets of old financial and medical documents, outdated or unused electronics and even clothing and furniture.
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Paper products and documents that can be disposed of include: Tax records, medical records, legal files, financial records, invoices, canceled checks, blueprints, contracts, payroll records, company letterhead, junk mail containing personal information and any information that contains credit card, social security, driver license and account numbers.
Accepted E-waste items include: Computers, computer monitors, computer accessories, TV’s, printers, DVD/CD players, copiers, fax machines, scanners, cell phones and chargers, external hard drives, video and camera equipment, video game systems, cables, power cords, power strips and more.
Participating firms/organizations
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Shred-it will collect and shred all documents on-site.
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Global Asset collects and disposes of all E-waste items. In addition to working with the City and other municipalities, the company currently supports over 150 clients in the public sector. Global Asset removes data on all collected storage devices using Department of Defense security standards.
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Salvation Army will also be on-site. Donated items must be in working condition, and contain all parts and accessories. Clothing items must not be torn or stained. The Salvation Army will also take all wood furniture, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, dryers and any other appliances. All donors will be given a receipt for tax deduction purposes.
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Friends of the University Park Library will be on-site collecting new and gently used books for the Second Chapter Bookstore (no textbooks please).
COVID-19 Advisory: For your safety and ours, all personnel working the event will be wearing facial coverings when they remove items from your vehicle. Please stay in your vehicle as your recycled/donated items are being removed.
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Let’s lock UP to reduce crime and protect property! |
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Additional information aimed at keeping University Park a safe place to live and work |
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In the October Arbor we included a few quick things you and your neighbors can do to assist our police department in reducing crime and protecting lives and property. Simply put, everything centers on remembering to lock up!
If I were a burglar, I would have selected your house, vehicle or yard!
As part of their nightly patrol activities UPPD officers will soon begin leaving this door hanger on homes and vehicles when they notice something that could make your home and property more attractive to burglars and others involved in crimes of opportunity.
Preventing the theft of F-150 and F-250 taillights
UPPD is continuing its efforts to make taillight thefts involving F-150 and F-250 trucks much tougher to accomplish. If you are a University Park resident and you drive either model, UPPD will install taillight screws that can't be removed without the use of a special tool. To arrange for an installation, email UPPD Detective Schellinger at jschellinger@uptexas.org. Due to high demand, we have set aside two time slots. When you email him, please specify a time Monday through Thursday between 9 and 11 a.m., or Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m.
Violent crime is rare in University Park
As many of you know, on October 5, our first-responders were called to the scene of a shooting on Lovers Lane, just feet from the Shell Gas Station on the north end of Snider Plaza. The incident took place at about 7 p.m. and involved the occupants of a pick-up truck that was passing through the community. The victim, who later died from his injuries, was left on the pavement as the truck sped away. The first officer was on the scene less than three minutes after being dispatched. UPFD paramedics arrived 30 seconds after that, and quickly transported the victim to Parkland Hospital. Working diligently, in collaboration with neighboring agencies, UPPD detectives arrested the gunman the next afternoon, and they are continuing to work the case. As tragic and frightening as this incident was, this kind of violence is rare in University Park. We had not suffered a homicide since 2005.
Monthly crime reports on the City’s website
Each month, UPPD posts a detailed report on the City’s website showing various aspects of the department’s overall policing efforts. Compiled in accordance with the U.S. Justice Department’s National Incident Based Reporting Program each monthly report displays data for more than 20 crime categories made up of a larger group of specific crimes called Group A offenses. Also included on each report are summaries for calls for service, accidents reported, citation issued, animal control calls and several other trackable components. For year-to-year comparisons, posted reports are kept on the website for four years.
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Accreditations, periodic reviews maintain UPPD’s professional standards
UPPD is recognized as a Gold Standard agency by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Fewer than 700 police agencies in the U.S. have achieved CALEA accreditation. The process requires continued compliance with over 480 standards of law enforcement professionalism.
Thankfully for all of us, daily activities are returning to normal following an unprecedented pandemic that caused months of uncertainty at home, at school, and in the workplace. As the department’s calls for service return to normal, consistent with always looking inward, UPPD is beginning a review of other components related to its policies and practices. This review is prompted in large part by the recent retirement of several long-time department members, the influx of new officers, and resulting promotions in the command staff. Much like the CALEA process this review will be conducted by an outside professional who is not affiliated with UPPD.
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- Younger trick-or-treaters should be supervised by an adult.
- Older children should trick-or-treat in large groups, if they are not accompanied by an adult.
- Parents should know the route their older children are taking and they should stay in touch with the group.
- Trick-or-treaters should only visit homes that are well-lit and that are obviously welcoming Halloween guests.
- Trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights and use reflective tape on their costumes so that motorists can see them.
- Trick-or-treaters should stay on sidewalks and obey pedestrian rules.
- Children should not eat any trick-or-treat candy until it is inspected by an adult.
- Light your home well.
- Remove obstacles from your front porch and yards so that visitors don’t stumble or trip.
- Use artificial candles to avoid fire hazards.
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Prescription Drug Take Back Day - October 23 |
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Saturday, October 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., University Park residents can dispose of accumulated unwanted, and unused prescription drugs by stopping by the Fire Station side of University Park City Hall at 3800 University Blvd. This effort, hosted by UPPD, is part of a nationwide drug disposal program started by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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2022 Resident Parking District stickers |
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The annual sticker application process is now underway for residents who live in the Hillcrest West, Hillcrest East, R and YMCA parking districts. The new parking district stickers are valid through December 31, 2022. Two stickers and two year-long visitor placards are provided per household, free of charge. Send an email to dkossmann@uptexas.org to obtain directions and the permit application electronically.
- To obtain annual parking stickers and hang tags, homeowners must complete the Resident Parking Permit Application and show proof of residency – Valid Texas Driver License or ID Card, current electric, phone or water bill (within the last 60 days), or insurance policy.
- All applicants renting property must provide a copy of their current lease for review by staff.
- Stickers are valid only when they are permanently affixed to the OUTSIDE of the vehicle (lower left-hand corner of the rear window).
- Stickers are not transferable. If a resident sells a vehicle, or a lease vehicle is returned, the resident is responsible for removing the sticker and obtaining a replacement sticker for the new/current vehicle.
- As a courtesy to others, park with traffic at all times. It is illegal in Texas to park facing oncoming traffic.
- Temporary Passes/Hang Tags are only valid while visiting permit holder’s residence.
Online applications
The process to obtain parking permits is now handled electronically. Contact Dawn Kossmann by email or at 214-987-5355 for details and assistance.
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The City welcomes the opportunity to supply residents with warning cones and signs for neighborhood "block parties." Applications must be received no later than three working days before the scheduled event.
Residents are reminded that block parties are not allowed on October 31. This policy assures that proper traffic flow is maintained, especially for emergency vehicles.
To learn more or to submit an application, click on the button below.
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This Halloween, as we continue efforts to keep our residents safe, Eggtober is returning! On October 31, the Parks Department will fill a dozen Halloween eggs per child, drop them off and hide them in your front yard.
All eggs will be filled with peanut allergy-friendly candy and toys. Emails containing additional details will be sent to those who register before the delivery date. Registration is taking place online on RecTrac, so all you need to do is login or create your account and look for "Eggtober" in the Activity Search under Special Events. Participants must live in University Park. Registration closes on October 25.
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This program provides for the reforestation of University Park by planting trees on the parkway (the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street curb) or allows the homeowner to purchase a smaller tree to plant on their property.
Parkway Trees
Trees may be purchased from the city for $150. This price includes the planting of the tree by the Parks and Recreation Department. All trees are 30 gallon, container-grown, approximately 2 inches in trunk diameter, and 8-10 feet tall. Available tree varieties include Cedar Elm, Chinquapin Oak, Live Oak, and Shumard Red Oak.
Private Property Trees
Residents may also purchase trees for $75 for home planting. Residents can purchase trees and the Parks and Recreation Department will drop the tree off at your home for you to plant on your private property. All of these trees are 10-gallon, container-grown, and are approximately 6 – 8 feet in height and 1- 1 ½ inch caliper. Available tree varieties include Bur Oak, Cedar Elm, Chinquapin Oak, Live Oak, and Shumard Red Oak.
Once planted, the care and maintenance of the trees becomes the responsibility of the homeowner. The primary planting season is between November 15 and February 15, however the trees are container-grown and can be planted year-round. Although the trees are not guaranteed, they are handpicked by the City's Urban Forester, and the survival rate has been very good.
Order Now
The Parks Department is accepting orders for the Trees for Town program through December 31, 2021.
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Snider Plaza Tree Lighting - Sunday, November 21 |
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Save the date for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Snider Plaza! Residents from throughout the area gather in University Park’s Snider Plaza to celebrate the coming holiday season. The festivities, featuring live holiday carols and dance, take place near the Plaza’s famous fountain. The highlight of the night comes when we illuminate the holiday tree. |
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Upcoming City Meetings & Events |
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STAY CONNECTED TO THE CITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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