The Dallas Police Department and Fort Worth Police Department have taken a few extra precautionary measures today to prepare for any election-related activity in both downtown areas.
Dallas PD has ensured adequate staffing on Election Day and the days following. “In conjunction with our local, state, and federal partners, operational plans have been developed that address supporting election site security, maintaining the ability for individuals to access polling locations, and providing a safe environment for individuals desiring to exercise their First Amendment Right to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech,” officials with the Dallas PD said in a statement.
Some businesses in the downtown Dallas area have boarded up their windows, just in case disruptions occur. No disruptive activity has been reported at this time and it is unknown if anything is planned.
Box 4 Firebuffs, the Dallas firefighter and police rehabilitation team deployed to prolonged incidents, has established an area in an undisclosed location to provide operational support.
Fort Worth PD have also made some operational changes to ensure officers are readily available to answer any election-related activity in downtown, and maintain responses for other calls. The department has changed some hours for certain units to maintain adequate staffing levels.
“We will be prepared to respond wherever necessary if called to do so.”
The Fort Worth Police Department is looking for the driver of a vehicle who hit and killed a woman along Interstate 30 in west Fort Worth early Sunday morning.
Multiple emergency responders were called to the scene around 1:30AM on Interstate 30 near Summit Ave. A woman was fatally struck by a passing vehicle. The circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation.
After the collision, the vehicle continued driving westbound on Interstate 30. The driver did not stop to render aid.
The victim has been identified as a 23-year-old woman from Fort Worth.
UPDATE: As police were investigating this incident, it was determined that the woman jumped from a moving vehicle. The driver of the vehicle she jumped from indicated another vehicle hit her; however, a witness stated she was not hit by a vehicle after she jumped. Investigators continue to look at the evidence in this case.
The Grand Prairie Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 30-year-old man overnight at an apartment complex.
Officers responded to a shooting call at 3033 Bardin Road, Indigo Point Apartments, at around 1:50AM this morning. They located the man with multiple gunshot wounds, at least one of them to his abdomen.
Paramedics transported him to Medical City Arlington’s trauma center, but he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Grand Prairie Police have publicly identified the man as Eddie Hassell from Waco. Hassell is a Hollywood actor.
Although police are still investigating the motive, a car was stolen after the shooting, but later recovered.
Investigators are still looking for the person responsible for this shooting. If you know anything, you can call Grand Prairie PD at 972-988-8477.
Just before noon yesterday (Halloween Day), multiple emergency responders from the Fort Worth Fire Department, Police Department, and MedStar EMS were called to the scene of a possible body in the water at Lake Worth.
Emergency personnel, including members of the dive team, recovered the body near the 8100 block of Cahoba Drive.
The body was transferred to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner for a full report on cause of death. Police say it was a male victim.
There are no additional details at this time. Updates will be provided if available.
The Dallas Police Department is looking for the individual responsible for firing multiple gunshots at four police officers yesterday evening (Saturday) while they worked to clear up a car crash.
As two Dallas officers and two Mesquite officers were working a crash at the intersection of John West Road and La Prada Drive, an unknown person fired at least five gunshots toward them, causing the officers to take cover. They were waiting on a tow truck to
After the gunshots ceased, officers immediately ran to the area in an attempt to catch the person.
The officers heard someone scream in the area after the shots were fired, but no suspect or victim were located.
Luckily, no officers were shot in the incident.
If you have any information regarding this incident, call the Dallas Police Department.
The Red Oak Police Department is investigating a serious crash that claimed the life of at least one person.
Just before 4:00PM this afternoon, the Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched to a major accident in the 100 block of Hillcrest Lane. There were additional reports that the vehicle had caught fire, upgrading the response to a possible structure fire.
When emergency responders arrived, they found one vehicle that had crashed into a building. The vehicle and the building were both on fire.
After the fire was extinguished, firefighters located the body of at least one occupant in the vehicle. There are unconfirmed reports of a possible second victim as well. We are awaiting details from officials.
Several departments, including Ovilla, Midlothian, and Waxahachie FDs, all responded to assist.
At around 11:00AM this morning, the Irving Police Department responded to a disturbance at an apartment complex in the 2400 block of N. MacArthur Blvd.
As officers were investigating, they heard a gunshot. They believed the shooter was barricaded in an apartment unit, so the department’s SWAT team was called in to assist.
An arrest warrant was obtained and SWAT entered the apartment, but there was no suspect inside.
The suspect is wanted for Aggravated Assault Domestic Violence.
Welcome to the first article in our series called #FastFive, where we provide five fast tips to educate and inform you on a variety of topics. For ten years, DFW Scanner has published daily news content, covering emergencies in communities across North Texas. Now, we are trying to do our part to not only keep you informed, but educated as well, to reduce these incidents and keep you safe.
As we welcome in our fall favorites, such as pumpkin spice, autumn decor, and Christmas music (for some of you early birds), it’s also time to dust off the warmer clothes and prepare for cooler weather. It is important to remember that heating devices, such as space heaters, and fireplaces can put your home at risk, if used flippantly. Let’s chat about a few ways to stay warm and free from disaster this winter season.
DID YOU KNOW: Heating equipment is the second leading cause of house fires in the United States.
1) Give your space heaters some space!
Space heaters are a great way to quickly warm up a room or lounge area. Although they are effective at providing quick heat, they are also dangerous if accidentally – or intentionally – left on for extended periods of time and close to furnishings, such as flammable furniture, drapes, blankets, etc.
The National Fire Protection Association says to leave your space heater 3 or more feet from anything or anyone. Heaters near curtains or blankets can quickly spark a fire and damage, or destroy, your home. Also be mindful of heaters left on and unattended – especially if you have small children!
The Dallas Fire Rescue recommends establishing a “kid-free zone” to ensure they do not get burned or injured.
From 2012 to 2016, 86% of home fire deaths involved a portable space heater, and the leading cause of ignition for those fire deaths was improperly placed equipment close to flammable materials. Between the years of 2009 and 2013, heating equipment caused an estimated 56,000 house fires, 470 deaths, and 1,490 injuries.
Just remember: if you do use a space heater, make sure it is properly placed and turned off when you head to bed!
2) Clean out your fireplace and chimney!
A warm, cozy fire in the fireplace and a Netflix binge seems to be on our to-do list, especially as many of us are staying home due to the pandemic; however, if not used properly, your fireplace could spark a serious fire that could damage or destroy your home.
Chimney fires occur when buildup ignites around the vent hole of the fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are much more likely to spark a fire, as compared to gas-burning fireplaces. You can reduce buildup in your vent and chimney by proper annual cleaning.
It is also important not to overload your fireplace. Some evenings are much colder than others, but a bigger fire in your fireplace is not necessarily the safest option. While it may be the warmest option, it is best to burn consistently throughout a length period of a time, not a bonfire!
Also – when you head to bed, make sure the fire is properly put out.
From 2009 to 2013, there were 17,910 house fires involving a fireplace or chimney resulting in a total of 30 deaths and 90 injuries.
“We recommend having your chimneys cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional,” says Jason Evans with the Dallas Fire Rescue.
Enjoy that fireplace, but make sure it is cleaned and ready to go before you ignite!
3) Keep an eye on the holiday décor!
Holiday décor, such as Christmas trees and candles, are family traditions in many of our homes. They brighten up our homes as we welcome close friends and family to celebrate special moments. But, don’t let the décor ruin your holidays – take extra precaution to ensure the safety of your family and home.
Firefighters across the United States responded to nearly 800 house fires related to holiday décor, excluding Christmas trees. In nearly half of those fires, the décor is too close to the heating source, such as an electrical wire or candle.
Christmas tree fires account for hundreds of house fires each year. Half of those fires involved electrical wiring or a heating source too close to the tree.
DID YOU KNOW: It only takes around 10-15 seconds for a small spark to fully ignite a dry Christmas tree?
A safer option would be a fake Christmas tree. These trees are less flammable since they do not require typical maintenance and water. But, just because your tree is fake doesn’t mean there is no risk. Make sure your tree is placed away from electrical outlets, your wiring is secure, and heating sources are kept at least three feet away from the tree.
4) Fry your meal – not your house!
If your family is like mine, there is no get together without a big meal. Food is an integral part of our family traditions. Cooking is one of the leading causes of house fires, many of which occur during the holiday and winter months.
Whatever you are cooking – whether it be a big bird or a big pie – make sure you do not leave the food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off cooking sources to ensure a fire does not spark.
Keep flammable materials away from the cooking sources. Heating pads, plastic utensils, and paper goods can quickly ignite and spark a fire.
If you are frying a turkey in a deep fryer, please do so properly! Do not overload the fryer with too much cooking oil. When the oil is hot and ready to go, place the turkey into the fryer very slowly. If you do it too fast, the oil could splash out and spark a large fire.
And do not forget – if a grease fire sparks in your kitchen, either cut off oxygen flow (place a lid on the pan) or use powder to put the fire out. DO NOT throw water onto a grease fire!
5) Do not overload your electrical lines!
Electrical fires were the second leading cause of house fires between 2013 – 2016, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Electrical failures and malfunctions account for the highest number of fire deaths and damage. 40% of electrical-caused fires occur during the winter months.
If your home has older electrical infrastructure, it is important to watch the amount of electricity flowing through the lines. A fire may spark when high amounts of electricity are flowing through the lines. Do not overpower the outlets with high usage items, such as space heaters and holiday décor. If your outlets spark or smoke, call 9-1-1 immediately and evacuate the house.
Folks, it all boils down to common sense. Make sure you are using your heating and cooking elements properly to avoid a major disaster. We don’t want to feature your house fire on DFW Scanner!
Thanks for reading this first #FastFive article. If you have a tip for a future #FastFive, let us know!
The Fort Worth Police Department responded to a call of multiple people shot early this morning at a house in the 6200 block of Topsail Drive. Reports came into 9-1-1 at around 1:30AM.
When police arrived, they found three people had been shot: two men and one woman. Paramedics transported all three victims to a local hospital. The two men were both pronounced deceased at JPS Hospital. The woman is expected to survive her injuries.
Homicide detectives are still working to understand the circumstances surrounding the shooting. At this time, no further details have been released.
Both victims have been identified as a 27-year-old man and a 31-year-old man, both from Fort Worth.
The Fort Worth Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred earlier this morning at the Pandora Men’s Club, 3929 Highway 157.
Officers were called to the club just after 5:00AM this morning and located one individual that had been shot. MedStar paramedics transported him to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition, but expected to survive.
Investigators say there was a group of men in the parking lot encouraging a man to hotrod his vehicle around the parking lot. When he refused to do so, one of the individuals pulled out a gun and fired at the vehicle, hitting the driver.
The suspect fled the scene and is currently on the loose.
