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DPD Self-Reporting System

Effective July 3, 2023, the Dallas Police Department implemented a new crime self-reporting system.  This system allows (and requires) the online reporting of a number of non-violent crimes instead of using the 911 system.  DPD response and investigation will be the same as before.  Please see the attached flyer for more detailed information and let me know if you have questions.

Chip Bensing, NPNA VP- Crime Watch, 214-649-8681

 

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Crime Report, August 2023

There were no prior reports distributed to the NPNA regarding the incidents detailed below because none of them showed up in databases until last week. This delay was a result of the Ransomware attack on the City’s computer systems which are only now starting to catch up on the reporting side.  Hopefully, there will be no more delayed reports.  In addition to individual incident reports, this Crime Report will provide information on the new Self-Reporting System.

North of Northaven. There was one incident during the three-month period.

NPNA Crime incident July 28, 2023 Section 3 – 3900 Block of Goodfellow Drive: Theft – Pickpocket.  Unknown suspect took cellphone from the pocket of the victim.   The incident was called in at 4:15 p.m.  The investigation has been suspended.

South of Northaven. Three incidents were reported, all occurring in May and June.  Note that all incidents took place in the first block off Marsh Lane in broad daylight.  This area also had several incidents earlier in the spring.  Residents should be extra alert for strangers in the area.

NPNA Crime incident May 13, 2023 Section 5 – 3700 Block of Whitehall Driver: Burglary – No Forced Entry.  Unknown suspect entered unlocked residence and removed property.  This incident occurred at 2:00 p.m.  The investigation has been suspended.

NPNA Crime incident June 5, 2023 Section 5 – 3700 Block of Jubilee Trail: Theft of Property >= $2,500.  Unknown suspect removed the HVAC system.  The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m.  The investigation has been suspended.

NPNA Crime incident June 15, 2023 Section 9 – 3700 Block of Vinecrest Drive: Burglary of a Motor Vehicle.  Three Unknown suspects broke into a motor vehicle and removed property at about 4:55 p.m.  The investigation has been suspended.

Shopping Center. May 24, 2023 – 3700 Block of Forest Lane: Vandalism.  Suspect kicked one of the doors at McDonalds causing damage at approximately 4:00 p.m.  The investigation has been suspended.

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New Wildflower and Pollinator Habitats

Northaven Trail, June 2023: As many of you may have noticed while out enjoying the Northaven Trail in our neighborhood, we have some exciting new Wildflower and Pollinator Habitats along the trail.  Native wildflower seeds were sowed this past winter, and our first wildflowers have already been blooming this spring.  Not only do these wildflower meadows create beautiful blooms for us to enjoy, but they also provide habitat for our native bees, butterflies, and other insects, as well as birds.  Wildflower meadows are a great way to increase the biodiversity in our neighborhood and support our wildlife.  They can also help save water, sequester carbon, and reduce mowing.

         

       

Since this is the first spring since the seeds were sowed, the wildflowers in our neighborhood are just getting started.  As the wildflowers grow, they will produce more seeds, and each year we can expect to see more beautiful displays and more dense wildflower habitats.  

Walking along the trail a little further east, between College Park and Inwood, you can view more established wildflower areas to get an idea of how our wildflower habitats will look in the future.

Photos below: Firewheel flowers near Strait Lane and Monarch butterfly caterpillar feeding on native milkweed near Welch Rd. 

   

Friends of the Northaven Trail, a local non-profit, all-volunteer organization, provided the seeds for the Wildflower & Pollinator Habitats and works along with Dallas Parks to care for and maintain the wildflower areas.

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Maintenance of Wildflower Areas

Northaven Trail, June 2023: Some Northaven Park residents have had questions and concerns about mowing and weeds in relation to the new wildflower areas.  Members of the NPNA recently met with leaders of the Dallas Parks maintenance crew for more information.  Following is a summary of what we learned.

  • Dallas Parks maintenance has a three-man crew dedicated to mowing the Northaven Trail.  They are constantly working on mowing along the entire eight miles of trail, and should make it to our neighborhood every two to three weeks.  
  • When mowing happens, the crew will mow around the wildflower areas marked with “Wildflower & Pollinator Habitat:  Don’t Mow, Let Us Grow” signs.  This will allow time for the wildflowers and native grasses to grow and produce seeds for the following year.  
  • Once per year the Pollinator Habitat areas will be completely mowed down.  The exact time may vary depending on the weather and conditions of the plants.  It will likely be in the fall.  Our Dallas Parks Urban Biologist, Brett Johnson, oversees this process. 

Weeds. Refraining from frequently mowing the Pollinator Habitat areas will allow native wildflowers to grow.  In this process, some weeds will also inadvertently grow as well.  As the wildflowers and native grasses become more established over the next few years, they will crowd out more of the weeds.  

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Volunteer Work Days

Northaven Trail, June 2023: The Friends of the Northaven Trail, an all-volunteer organization, will work with our neighborhood to schedule volunteer work days to help with the upkeep of the wildflower areas.  Please reach out to Friends of the Northaven Trail here to plan your neighborhood workday or to sign up for their landscaping volunteers email list.   Click here to donate to the Northaven Trail maintenance fund.  

A two-person team of NPNA resident volunteers recently removed weeds from the wildflower areas near Candlelight Lane and Wonderland Trail. We could really use some help with future efforts.  If you’d like to help, please reach out to nht@npna.org.  Many hands make light work!

The Flow Project. This summer, a nonprofit organization called The Flow Project will be receiving funding from Friends of the Northaven Trail to hire a team of high school students to work on trail maintenance along the entire trail.  More information about this program and also a detailed Q&A about the Wildflower & Pollinator Habitat gardens can be found at Wildflower Meadow FAQ.

With some patience and perseverance, the Wildflower and Pollinator Habitats can be a wonderful addition to our neighborhood.  

Friends of Northaven Trail
More information about Friends of the Northaven Trail:
https://northaventrail.org
https://www.instagram.com/northaventraildallas
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofNorthavenTrail

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Crime Report, June 2023

Report Suspicious Activity Right From Your Phone!  iWatchDallas is a mobile crime watch tool that you and your neighbors can use to report suspicious or criminal activity. It’s a proactive, hands-on, partnership between you, the citizens of Dallas, and the Dallas Police Department working together to build a safer community.

Does this replace 911?
No, it does not. The iWatchDallas app is only intended for non-emergency tips only. If you have an emergency and need the police immediately do not use iWatchDallas, call 911. If you need to make an official police report, please call 911 or visit DallasPolice.net and utilize the Dallas Online Reporting System.

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Northaven Trail Beautification Project

Intersection of Sleepy Lane and Pinocchio Drive

This recent NPNA Beautification project was a great success. It was a fun project. The team of volunteers worked very hard, and we are proud of the finished look. It’s a great start to 2023 and the mission to find ways, BIG and small, to beautify our neighborhood. Be sure to enjoy as you stroll past this intersection. The native and drought tolerant plants will continue to mature over the next several months and will enhance this intersection for years to come.

We have several projects on the horizon, including a huge outing this fall with the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department to plant 50 trees in Northaven Park. Strategically designed and located to provide shade in needed areas while not disturbing the fields of play for teams to enjoy.

Want to be a part of NPNA Beautification? Find out how on Volunteer! Beautification and reach out to us at beautification@npna.org.