New Officer
We would like to extend a welcome to our newest officer, Michael Martinez. He was born and raised in Tarrant County and is familiar with the challenges of being a public servant in North Texas. Michael is a Texas Army National Guard veteran who served from 2000 until 2012 and won the Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and Iraqi campaign medal. Michael began his law enforcement career with the Tarrant County Hospital District from 2006 to 2010 and most recently has served with Sansom Park Police Department as a patrol officer. Michael is known by his former supervisors and coworkers as friendly, productive and professional. We look forward to having him on the street within the next two weeks.
Firearms Safety
The past month has seen repeated firearms tragedies caused by adults leaving unsecure and loaded firearms in their residences. On May 2, a Burkesville, Kentucky five year old boy fatally shot himself by picking up a loaded rifle that was kept in a corner of the family home. On May 9, a Corsicana, Texas two year old fatally shoots self after finding an unsecure gun in the home. On May 11, a Denton eight year old found a loaded rifle in the home and shot his five year old friend. Fatalities make the news. There are multiples of child shootings that don’t get such heightened publicity. If you have a firearm in the home there is a moral, ethical and legal obligation to keep the weapon away from children.
It is probably good for parents to understand Texas State Law regarding firearms and children: Sec. 46.13. MAKING A FIREARM ACCESSIBLE TO A CHILD.
(1) “Child” means a person younger than 17 years of age.
(2) “Readily dischargeable firearm” means a firearm that is loaded with ammunition, whether or not a round is in the chamber.
(3) “Secure” means to take steps that a reasonable person would take to prevent the access to a readily dischargeable firearm by a child, including but not limited to placing a firearm in a locked container or temporarily rendering the firearm inoperable by a trigger lock or other means.
(b) A person commits an offense if a child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm and the person with criminal negligence:
(1) failed to secure the firearm; or
(2) left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access.
(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the child’s access to the firearm:
(1) was supervised by a person older than 18 years of age and was for hunting, sporting, or other lawful purposes;
(2) consisted of lawful defense by the child of people or property;
(3) was gained by entering property in violation of this code; or
(4) occurred during a time when the actor was engaged in an agricultural enterprise.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(e) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor if the child discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to himself or another person.
(f) A peace officer or other person may not arrest the actor before the seventh day after the date on which the offense is committed if:
(1) the actor is a member of the family, as defined by Section 71.003, Family Code, of the child who discharged the firearm; and
(2) the child in discharging the firearm caused the death of or serious injury to the child.
(g) A dealer of firearms shall post in a conspicuous position on the premises where the dealer conducts business a sign that contains the following warning in block letters not less than one inch in height: “IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
I certainly understand that preparing criminal charges for making a firearm accessible to a child truly is closing the barn door after the cattle have left. If you have an unsecure firearm in the house I strongly urge you research appropriate fire arm storage boxes and safes. The unintended consequences and the pain felt by family members when an unsecure gun is found and used by a child are emotionally shattering.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Recent Police Calls
Attempted Burglary – 100 blk. N. Woodland Trail. – An unknown person or persons broke a garage door window using an unknown object. A substantial amount of blood was left at the scene and entry was not successfully made into the residence. No property was missing from the home. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 972-355-5995 and speak to a Double Oak Officer.
Overdose – Double Oak – Report of an 18 year old reporting problems after having smoked “K2” (synthetic marijuana). Subject received medical treatment and was released at the scene. Officers stayed with the young man until a responsible adult party was found to take him home.
Vehicle Complaint – 300 blk. Lake Trail, Double Oak – Neighborhood complaint about a black truck that drives at a high rate of speed through the community.
Theft – FM 407, Bartonville, TX – Assisted Bartonville PD with investigation into a shoplift theft at the 7-11.
Assault – 900 blk. Briar Grove Ct., Copper Canyon – Report of two adult females fighting. Involved parties declined to file criminal complaints.
Disturbance – 2000 blk. E. Hickory Hill Rd., Denton Cnty. – Assisted Sheriff’s office with responding to a call regarding a large party.
Suspicious Activity – 900 blk. Stonecrest Rd., Denton Cnty. – Double Oak Units responded to a man with a gun call. Upon further investigation the allegation was made that one neighbor was peppering the other neighbor’s home with shotgun pellets.
Disturbance – 800 blk. Branch Crossing, Lantana – Double Oak Officer responded as security while Denton County Deputies separated parties involved in a family disturbance.
Criminal Mischief – 300 blk. Valley View, Double Oak – Brick mailbox struck by vehicle overnight. Juvenile driver was located by Police and the parent took responsibility for the damage.
Disturbance – 1000 blk. Broome Rd., Bartonville – Double Oak PD responded with Bartonville to a loud party complaint.
Criminal Mischief – 100 blk. Trailing Oaks Dr., Double Oak – A citizen reported juveniles near a residence, where the owners were out of town, that had been toilet papered in the past.
Accident – 8000 blk. FM 407, Denton County – A motorist struck a stray cow on FM 407. Cow ran from the scene last observed fleeing towards Double Oak.
Assault – 400 blk. Cross Timbers, Double Oak – Report of an 18 year old adult male assaulting a person at that location. Male was arrested for Assault with bodily injury.
Overdose – Lantana – Officers responded to a drug overdose involving a young adult male running through the neighborhood and presenting a danger to himself and others. Possible intoxicants were hallucinogenic mushrooms and “K2” (synthetic marijuana). Officers chased the young man down and had him transported to the hospital for treatment.
Theft – 100 blk. N. Woodland, Double Oak – Resident reported that a birthday delivery of balloons had been taken without permission.
Suspicious Activity – 100 blk. Kings Rd., Double Oak – A young family knocked on a Double Oak resident’s door and asked about purchasing a recreational vehicle and/or vehicle parts on their property. During the conversation the young couple offered to resurface the homeowner’s driveway and asked about obtaining painkillers and other unused prescription medications from the senior ci
tizen homeowners. Please call law enforcement if someone arrives at your residence soliciting unusual business or requesting unused prescription painkillers!
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