Police Staff & FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about legal issues in Southlake, including sex offender locations, fireworks laws, solicitors permits, scooter ordinance, and drivers license questions.
Staff NAME TITLE PHONE Interim Chief of Police 817-748-8347 Russell Daniels Police Captain 817-748-8133 Lieutenant - Prof. Standards 817-748-8207 Lieutenant - Patrols 817-748-8111 Lieutenant - Criminal Investigations 817-748-8122 Lieutenant - Community Initiatives 817-748-8349 Field Services (Animal Control) 817-748-8336 Melissa Rodriguez Office Assistant 817-748-8114 Send A Comment to Department of Public Safety - Police Services
FAQs How do I know what the Law says about a particular subject? How do I obtain information on registered sex offenders?
Gasoline powered scooters and bikes over 40cc: are classified as motor vehicles and are thus illegal to operate on sidewalks or trails. To be driven on city streets, they must be operated by a driver who has a driver’s license and proof of minimum liability insurance. Additionally, the bike/scooter must be registered, display a license plate, and display a valid inspection sticker. If the license, registration, inspection, and insurance requirements are not met (such as with dirt bikes), then those vehicles may not be driven on the street. They may, however, be driven on private property; remember that they cannot be ridden to and from on city streets or sidewalks. To ride on private property, you must be the property owner, his family, or have permission by the property owner. If the property area is the common area of a neighborhood association or other person's private property, the association or owner must have given specific permission to ride these bikes there.
Many dirt bikes will also violate the city noise ordinance if ridden on private property if near other residences. The noise ordinance prohibits the bike exceeding 60 decibels during the day and 55 decibels at night or on Sundays.
Electric and gasoline powered scooters under 40cc: are currently classified as Motor Assisted Scooters. If a scooter is electric or gas powered under 40cc, it is legal on any street where the speed limit is under 35 mph and on sidewalks. These motor assisted scooters must obey the rules of the road and must comply with all traffic control devices; that is they must stop at stop signs, drive on the right side, yield right of way, etc. The law does not require a drivers license, registration, inspection, and insurance to operate these vehicles.
A proposed City Ordinance is still under review. The future ordinance will likely prohibit the following:
One still unresolved question is whether children are going to be allowed to ride only on City trails or on any sidewalk. Trails are those along major roadways and are generally at least 6 feet wide. The ordinance may eventually go to council, although the timing is uncertain.
Can we shoot fireworks in Southlake? Around New Years and the Fourth of July, the police are flooded with complaints about fireworks being discharged. Most callers are concerned about the noise and fire risk. Southlake police officers respond to these complaints and issue citations; fireworks are confiscated and destroyed. Since fireworks can be expensive, please find a legal area outside Southlake to use your fireworks. Any countywide burn bans will be posted on the county website at www.tarrantcounty.com; it would be prudent to check this web page before venturing out to discharge fireworks. Law enforcement agencies have zero tolerance for fireworks violations due to the significant fire risk. As a service to our community, the City of Southlake presents a fireworks show during the week of July 4 with times and location advertised through print media as well as the City webpage. Families from across the Metroplex have enjoyed attending this festivity in lieu of dealing with regulations on personal fireworks use. Where do I go to pay a traffic ticket? Does Southlake regulate solicitors? Individuals granted a permit must wear it on their outer clothing when soliciting. No soliciting is allowed before 9:00 am or after 9:00 pm each day. Minors who are soliciting for school or church fund raisers must also register, but only one of their sponsors needs to obtain a permit. All kids working under that sponsor are still required to wear a nametag that identifies them and their organization. Individuals who are just leaving advertising handbills and are not making personal contact are not regulated. Permits cannot be required for individuals who are making personal contact for purposes of political or religious support or recruitment. If a solicitor appears at your door, ask to see their permit if its not prominently displayed. If one is not provided or if the solicitor is in any way rude, discourteous, or otherwise suspicious, call the police dispatch center and an officer will respond to investigate the situation. The Chief of Police can suspend permits if certain aggravated conditions exist. Is this where I get my drivers license renewed?
A list of Texas DPS locations (broken down by county) can be accessed at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ . |