FAQ s of the Duncanville Police Department

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1 FAQ s of the Duncanville Police Department Frequently asked questions about certain offenses in the City of Duncanville For more FAQ go to and check the citizen s action center where you can find helpful information, submit questions, or a file a request for a city service. You can also find all of the City of Duncanville Ordinances on this website. Loud and Raucous Noise One of the most common calls that police officers respond to are loud music complaints. These complaints come from normal citizens who simply wish to relax at home after a hard day at work. An example of this is the neighbor who thinks that everyone else wants to listen to his car stereo. This is a problem that can be easily resolved. First it is encouraged that everyone gets to know their neighbors. If they have a son or daughter who plays their stereo too loud, simply and politely ask the parents to address the issue. If you don t receive the proper response, give the police a call. City Ord Sec 12-3 addresses this issue in detail. It specifically states that no person shall make, cause, or allow to be made any unreasonable loud or raucous noise within the city which may be offensive to a reasonable person of normal sensitivity within the areas of audibility. Some examples of violations include the playing of any horn, radio, musical instrument or other loudspeaking or noise making device or attachment, or vocal outcry and shouting at public or private property in such a manner or volume as to disturb the peace, quiet, and comfort of a reasonable person. To create, make, cause or allow to be made by any means any loud and disturbing noise which may disturb a reasonable person of normal sensitivity in the vicinity of any public or private place after 10:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m. To be operating or in control of a motor vehicle in either a public or private place within the city while playing any sound amplifier which is part of, or connected to, the vehicle stereo system or any other similar device in the motor vehicle, in such a manner that when operated, it is audible at a distance of 30 feet from the source or causes a reasonable person of normal sensitivity to be aware of the vibration accompanying the sound at a distance of 30 feet from the source. Abandoned Vehicles Nothing can bring the appearance of a street or neighborhood down like an abandoned vehicle sitting on the side of the road. Flat tires, broken windows, and rusting vehicles are not considered decorative ensembles to a residence and they become an eyesore to the surrounding area. Again, get to know your

2 neighbors and try to address the issue with them. If this doesn t work, give the police or a code enforcement officer a call. City Ord Sec addresses the Abandoned and Junked vehicles. It specifically states: For the purposes of this article, a motor vehicle, watercraft, or outboard motor is abandoned if it: Is inoperable, is more than five years old, and has been left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours; Has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours; Has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the property for more than 48 hours; Has been left unattended on the right-of-way of a designated county, state, or federal highway for more than 48 hours; or Has been left unattended for more than 24 hours on the right-of-way of a turnpike project constructed and maintained by the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the Texas Department of Transportation or a controlled access highway. A "junked vehicle" is defined as a vehicle that is self-propelled and: Does not have lawfully attached to it either an unexpired license plate or registration insignia, or a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate; and is Wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded; or, inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than 72 consecutive hours if the vehicle is on public property, or 30 consecutive days if the vehicle is on private property. Violation of this ordinance can result in your vehicle being towed plus the cost of storage fees Curfew Curfew is and has been a concern for some time. It was created with the assistance of concerned parents who believed that nothing good happens after midnight. Should kids be hanging out wandering the streets at all hours of the night? The answer is NO! There is a curfew ordinance if effect in Duncanville. Please call police if you suspect a curfew violation. City Ord Sec addresses the curfew. While there are exceptions and emergency exemptions for this ordinance it also details the violations that include: a minor means any person under 17 years of age. Curfew hours mean: 11:00 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day; and 12:01 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. on any Saturday or Sunday. 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. 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. 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 Graffiti or Vandalism This offense is not only a city code violation it is a criminal offense as well. This is a problem that plagues cities all across America. It is a problem that cannot and should not be ignored. Neighbors should build close ties and take a stand against this offense that can cost you in several ways including; devaluation of property, financial loss, and major inconveniences to the victim. Parents please talk to your children about causing damages to the property of others and the consequences that it brings. City Ord Sec addresses Graffiti and Vandalism. It states: Graffiti means markings, initials, slogans, or drawings, written or sketched with crayon, chalk, spray paint, engraving, or by some other means, on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom, fence or structure, public or private real or personal property, without the approval of the owner. Texas Penal Code states: A person commits an offense it he intentionally and knowingly damages, destroys, tampers, or makes markings on tangible property of the owner without the owner s effective consent, or causes pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person. The offense under Texas law can range from a class C offense all the way to a 1 st degree felony depending on the amount of damage. Road Humps/Bumps Traffic problems are a major issue for many neighborhoods. Some say that road humps are an effective way to slow down traffic on residential streets. In some cases this may be true. However there are several factors involved with road humps and bumps. Why can t the police get speed bumps installed? Would these speed bumps affect only speeders? While it may slow down speeders, it may also affect emergency vehicles responding to and through the area. If you are interested in learning more about road humps and speed bumps see: City Ord Sec Road Hump/Bump policy for residential neighborhoods. Peddlers, Solicitors, and Itinerant Vendors Every homeowner or apartment tenant has experienced this at least one time in their life. While you are sitting down to dinner, trying to relax, or watching the big game, the doorbell rings. Much to your surprise a strange person is standing there selling magazines, candy, coupons, or soliciting for various causes. While it is not really a bad thing, it can be quite aggravating and annoying to you. The City of Duncanville has an extensive ordinance that covers solicitation, permits required, background checks of the peddlers and hours of operation.. City Ord Sec 13 covers peddlers and vendors including the facts that: It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle, hawk, sell, solicit, take orders for, or offer to take orders for, any services, wares, merchandise, or goods, including magazines or photographs, from door to door within the city without having first

4 obtained a permit therefor from the chief of police or his designated representative. It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle, hawk, sell, solicit, take orders for, or offer to take orders for, the sale of ice cream from a motor vehicle within the city without having first obtained a permit therefor from the chief of police or his designated representative. It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or distribute products, solicit business or contributions or distribute literature or disseminate material while standing in any public street or highway. Running At Large Yes, there is a leash law in Duncanville. But it goes much deeper and it is not only in place to protect the citizens, it is in place to protect those who cannot protect themselves, our animals. City Ord 4-12 states: It shall be unlawful for an owner or person who possesses, keeps or harbors any dog or other animal other than a cat, to fail to keep such dog or animal from running at large, as defined herein, within the limits of the city. Proof of a culpable mental state is not required for conviction of an offense under this section. It is the intent of the city to dispense with the requirement of any culpable mental state in prosecutions filed hereunder. The local health authority is authorized to impound such animals running at large. The use of a tether that is attached to a line between two points and is positioned in such a manner as to prevent the animal from becoming entangled with any obstruction, from partially or totally jumping any fence, or leaving any part of its owner's property, and that is secured to the animal using a properly fitted collar or harness shall be the only permissible means to tether the animal if said use does not otherwise violate this section. It shall be unlawful for any person to tie or tether a dog or other animal to a stationary object for a period of time or in a location so as to create an unhealthy situation for the animal or potentially dangerous situation for a pedestrian as determined by the animal control officer. The term "unhealthy situation" shall include, but not be limited to the following: To tether any animal in such a manner as to permit the animal access upon any public right-of-way; To tether any animal in such a manner as to cause the animal injury or pain or not to permit the animal to reach shelter, food and/or water; To tether any animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to leave the owner's property; To use choke-type collars to tether any animal. It shall be unlawful to tether any animal in the front yard. On corner lots, both sides shall be considered a front yard.

5 Animal Nuisance Many of us are animal lovers. However from time to time they can be a problem. The police officers and animal control officers respond to nuisance complaints such as loud and frequent barking or other animal noises that disturb the peace and quiet of citizens. They also respond to a more serious situation where the public health is endangered. City Ord Sec 4-17 requires: The keeping of any animal which causes loud and unusual or frequent barking, howling or other noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of any person of ordinary sensibility. The keeping of any animal in such a manner as to endanger the public health; to annoy neighbors by the accumulation of animal wastes which cause foul and offensive odors, or is considered to be a hazard to any other animal or human being. The keeping of bees in such a manner as to deny the lawful use of adjacent property or endanger personal health and welfare or the keeping of any animal in such a manner to deny the lawful use of adjacent property, public property, or to endanger personal health and welfare. Any animal pens, stables or enclosures and property not kept free from carrion or any putrescible material. It shall be unlawful and an offense for any person controlling to permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any dog or animal to defecate upon any private property other than the premises of the owner, handler or controller of such animal. It shall also be unlawful and an offense for any person to fail to promptly remove and dispose of, in a sanitary manner, feces left by a dog or cat or other animal being handled or controlled by that person upon any property other than the premises of the owner, handler or controller of such animal. Any house, building, business, lot, yard, pen, enclosure or ground in which an animal is kept that is unsanitary or offensive to a person of ordinary sensibility residing in the vicinity thereof, or to the public at large. This is considered a class C offense and can be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Report Suspicious Activity Immediately Police Officers need your help. We cannot be on every corner 24 hours a day. You are the eyes and ears of the community, especially in your neighborhood. We need you to report suspicious activity immediately. If something seems out of the ordinary to you, please report it so we can check it out. Rely on your instincts. If it makes you say I wonder what they are up to please call and report it. When you call you are not bothering us. You are doing your part as a concerned citizen and neighbor. Emergency Non-Emergency and Animal Control (972) Records (972) Police Administration (972) Crime Prevention (972)

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