LPD begins heat wave patrol

In order to take a more proactive approach to the heat, the Lewisville Police Department began heat wave patrols.

The LPD is patrolling parking lots during the summer heat wave and is looking for signs of unattended passengers in vehicles. Officers are watching for people or pets that may have been left inside of a parked car.

"This is something officers have been doing subconsciously, but this is the first year we're really pressing the issue," said Capt. Jay Powell. "It's something to really be looking out for, and it's a reminder for residents to be diligent while we're in the Texas summers."

Powell said this program is not in response to large number of children/elderly being left in vehicles. He said it is a preventive measure on the part of the department. He said there have been cases of people being left in vehicles, but there has never been a child, who died as a result of heat exposure in an unattended vehicle.

Craig Roberts, a nurse in the emergency room at Medical Center of Lewisville, said a person's response to the heat depends on their baseline health.

"You can't predict how fast the heat will affect a person or child. Chronically ill, elderly and children are more susceptible to the heat," Roberts said. "They also can't tolerate variances as well as others. The big thing with heat and vehicles, is don't leave anyone unattended in a vehicle that's not running."

Roberts said when someone is in a confined area and the sun is beating down on the car, the temperatures rise quickly. He said there's no exchange of air.

"The body cools by sweating and air current taking that moisture away. When that's comprised, the ability to cool down is taken away."

The penalty for leaving child under 7 years old in a vehicle longer than five minutes that is not attended by someone older than 14 is a class C misdemeanor. The person would receive a ticket for the offense. However, if the child or elderly person was caused bodily injury as a result of the negligence, the penalty could be a charge of injury to child. Powell said if a child is abandoned or endangered, it is a state jail felony. According to the Texas penal code, abandon means to leave a child in any place without providing reasonable and necessary care for the child, which a normal adult would leave a child. The offense committed if someone leaves a child in any place that expose them to an unreasonable risk of harm.

"When we see children left in vehicles it's a little of both -- the adult forgetting the child, and the adult running into a store and not intending to stay very long," Powell said. "Often one may intend to make a quick trip into a store but instead finds the visit prolonged. Prolonged exposure to the heat is dangerous, especially for children, pets and the elderly."

Powell said if an officer comes across a running vehicle with a child alone in it, the officer will most likely take the steps to find a parent while another officer stays and monitors the child. He said if they come across a child in distress, they will take measures to get into the vehicle while trying to make contact with an adult. He said an officer's response depends on what that officer observes in the vehicle.

Powell said children should never be left unattended in a vehicle. Also when unloading the vehicle, always double check the car to make sure that all occupants leave the vehicle or are carried out. Finally, residents should also be on the lookout for children, pets, or the elderly left alone in a vehicle. If they see such a situation, call 911 immediately.

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