Crime Prevention & Safety Questions
What do the Crime Watch and C.O.P. signs mean?
Video Crime Watch – Oakridge was the first neighborhood in the City of Garland to receive the Video Crime Watch Neighborhood signs. These signs indicate that residents in Oakridge have active surveillance cameras which have been voluntarily added to the Garland Video Crime Watch Program. Any resident with surveillance cameras (including doorbell cameras like Nest and Ring) can voluntarily add their contact information to the Garland Video Crime Watch Program. This will not give the police access to cameras, but will instead let the Garland Police know there may be surveillance footage in an area where crime or suspicious activity has occurred. The Garland Police will then be able to contact those residents for further information.
C.O.P. – Citizens on Patrol is a program offered by the City of Garland. Residents are trained in effective ways to patrol their neighborhoods, serving as additional eyes and ears for the community. Citizens on Patrol is an important part of the Crime Watch program in our neighborhood (see below).
Crime Watch – The Crime Watch Neighborhood signs indicate to residents (and potential criminals) that Oakridge is an active participant with the Garland Police Department’s Crime Watch program. The Director of the ONA Crime Prevention & Safety Committee attends the quarterly Garland Police Crime Watch meeting and provides updates through the newsletter, ONA General Meetings, and Crime Watch email (also called the Siren Alert).
Here are some of the ways Oakridge is involved in the Crime Watch program:
- Every resident in Oakridge is part of Crime Watch by being the eyes and ears for our neighbors. Look out for each other. Contact the non-emergency at 972-485-4840 for any suspicious activity or call 911 for a crime.
- There are Crime Watch Leads on every street in Oakridge who serve as a contact should a crime or suspicious activity occur in the area. To become a Crime Watch Lead or participate on the ONA Crime Prevention & Safety Committee, contact us at safety@oakridgena.org.
- Residents with surveillance cameras can add their contact information to the Garland Video Crime Watch Program.
- Several residents have participated in the Garland Citizen Police Academy and Citizens on Patrol (COP). Oakridge COPs patrol the neighborhood all hours of the day and night each week.
What is the Siren Alert and how do I sign up to receive it?
A Siren Alert is sent out by email and through NextDoor posts when Officer Tommy Barnes (our Neighborhood Police Officer) believes a crime in our neighborhood necessitates notification of the entire neighborhood. There are several ways to subscribe. You can:
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- Subscribe when you join the ONA (by mail or online)
- Contact the ONA Crime & Safety Director by emailing safety@oakridgena.org to request to be added
- Visit the Resident Resources page on the ONA website and Subscribe to Email Alerts
- Unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the end of an ONA email or contact us at safety@oakridgena.org to be removed
What should I do if I hear gunshots, fireworks, or see other suspicious activity?
Report any suspicious activity, gunshots, or fireworks by calling the non-emergency number (972-485-4840). Please note that NextDoor reporting is NOT tracked by the police.
Garland Police dispatch dedicated units during the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve specifically to deal with gunshots and fireworks.
Even if you think it is too late to call because the event is no longer occurring, go ahead and call the non-emergency number. Your information can help the police investigate and piece together with other calls in the area.
Here are some tips to remember when reporting suspicious activity:
- Focus on behavior: What was the person doing that made you suspicious?
- Details matter: Hair, clothing (head to toe), identifying marks. Race or gender alone is not enough.
- Vehicle: Make, Model, Color, Direction of travel, License Plate
- Location & Time: address, date, time
- Do You Have Surveillance Footage? Let them know if you have surveillance footage or let Officer Barnes know by email at BarnesT@garlandtx.gov. If you have a security camera, please consider signing up with the Garland Video Crime Watch Program.
Environmental/Landscape Questions
Who is responsible for the landscaping, lighting, and sprinklers at the Oakridge entrances?
Landscaping, lighting, and sprinklers for the 9 Oakridge entrances are managed by the ONA Environmental Committee. The labor and maintenance for the entrances is a combination of Oakridge Resident Volunteers and a Landscaping Contractor..
What contractor does the ONA use for mowing the perimeter of the neighborhood?
Platinum Landscapes, Gabriel Fernandez, 469-215-0296, platinumscapes1@gmail.com
What plant nursery does the ONA use for its entryway plants?
For the work done by ONA volunteers, the ONA uses Bruce Miller Nursery, 1000 E. Beltline Rd, Richardson, Texas 75081 | 972-238-0204
Platinum Landscapes uses Covington’s Nursery in Rowlett.
What is the Beautification Fund?
The Beautification Fund contains donations from ONA members who have contributed above and beyond the minimum membership dues. These additional funds are used to carry out the activities of the ONA Environmental Committee which go beyond the annual operations budget for mowing the perimeter and paying for City utilities (water for sprinklers and electricity for entrance lighting). The expenditure of these funds is overseen by the ONA Board of Directors.
Oakridge Neighborhood Association
What is the Oakridge Neighborhood Association (ONA)?
The Oakridge Neighborhood Association (ONA) is a voluntary team of neighbors who choose to work together on:
- Environmental issues such as the upkeep of neighborhood entrances and some of the perimeter landscaping.
- Communication to residents through various methods including the publication of a neighborhood newsletter, maintenance of a website, and posts on NextDoor.
- Crime Watch and overall neighborhood safety
- Social Events for the neighborhood
Is the Oakridge Neighborhood Association considered an HOA (Homeowners Association)?
No. It is a Neighborhood Association (NA) which is different from a Homeowners Association (HOA).
What is the difference between a Neighborhood Association (NA) and a Homeowners Association (HOA)?
In a Neighborhood Association, membership is Voluntary. Members can be homeowners or tenants. No enforcement powers.
In an HOA, membership is Mandatory for all owners. HOA has legal authority to maintain common areas and enforce private deed restrictions and covenants. The table below lists a few more differences.
| HOA | NA | |
| Basis | Authorized per CC&Rs for housing development. | Authorized per CC&Rs for housing development. |
| Purpose | Care for Common Areas, uphold neighborhood standards. | Promote neighborhood wellness and unity. In addition perform voluntary services such as neighborhood upkeep, newsletter, and crime watch. |
| Membership | Membership is mandatory for all property owners within the boundaries of the association. | Membership is open to all residents, but participation is optional; the association determines its boundaries. |
| Custody | Many times has custody of real estate or assets common to the neighborhood. | None |
| Funding | Mandatory and statutory. HOA has ability to collect funding from all homeowners. | Voluntary |
| Standards | Frequently empowered to uphold building and decoration standards. | None |
| Enforcement | Able to bring legal action against homeowners for non-compliance. HOAs often hire a property management company to handle maintenance and enforcement issues. | None |
Does the ONA own the golf club?
No. The Duck Creek Golf Club is a public golf course, and it is privately owned. The ONA has no affiliation with the Club. Residents can inquire at the Club for more information.
Does the ONA handle Code Compliance?
No, but each Garland Citizen can contact the City or use the eAssist app to file a complaint. Consider being a good neighbor by politely reaching out to them first and offering to help before escalating to the city. You never know what someone may be dealing with at the time so be kind.
How much does it cost to join the ONA?
For information on joining the ONA, visit the Join Us page on the website.
How can I become an advertiser in the newsletter?
Business owners may pay $300 per ONA fiscal year (June 1st – May 31st) to have a business card sized advertisement published in the monthly newsletter. The newsletter is delivered to 1,166 homes every month. Contact communications@oakridgena.org for more information.
How can new residents request an ONA welcome bag?
Send an email to info@oakridgena.org with your name and address and a note that you are requesting a welcome bag.
Where can I find the ONA bylaws?
Visit our Resident Resources page.
Who is on the ONA Board of Directors?
Visit our Resident Resources page.
Brick Wall, Code Compliance, and Other Neighborhood Questions
Who is responsible for repairing the brick wall around our neighborhood?
Property owners along the perimeter of the Oakridge Neighborhood are responsible for the repair or replacement of damaged brick walls on their property. For more information on the perimeter brick wall, visit the brick wall page on our website.
Oakridge streets are public so anyone can park anywhere as long as it is legal. Parking citations can be issued for vehicles that are parked illegally. Click here for the rules regarding parking enforcement.
If you plan to host a party, consider being a good neighbor by politely letting your neighbors know if you anticipate guests who may be parking on the street.
For more information visit the City of Garland’s Neighborhood Parking Enforcement page (click here) or submit a complaint through the Garland eAssist app (click here for more information).
These are handled by the City of Garland. Visit https://garlandtx.gov/9/How-Do-I to report issues around the community. You can also report issues through the Garland eAssist app.
How do I contact the City of Garland?
The City of Garland has website (https://garlandtx.gov/9/How-Do-I) and a Main Switchboard (972-205-2000).