NEWS   RELEASE

Contact:          Lt. Jesse Garcia or Lt. Joel Lavender             FOR RELEASE ON
                        Office: 214-670-7949 
                        Pager: 214-670-4115 Pin # 9885                         6/2/04
                        jdgarc@mail.ci.dallas.tx.us             

O.E.P NEWS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS  -- SPRING STORMS

TXU

Ø      Is doing their best to restore power outages to its customers

Ø      Will begin to pick up brush left by their crews within a week

Code Enforcement

Ø      Will not issue citations for bulky trash if it is storm related and only until normal sanitation services resume.

Streets and Sanitation

Ø      Residents with a large amount of spoiled meat may place it in a trash bag (double-bagged) and place a call to 3-1-1.  It will be picked up the same day if the call is placed before 2:30 p.m. 

Ø      Will begin to pick up tree limbs tomorrow, however, it may take several days to complete their rounds.

American Red Cross

Ø      Shelters are now being staffed and alternative shelters are being prepared and placed on standby.

Ø      Residents requiring shelter may call 3-1-1 to locate the nearest shelter.

Dallas Fire-Rescue

Ø      Asking residents not to call 9-1-1 unless it is a real emergency

Ø      Asking residents to check on the elderly and those with special needs.  They may need to get relief from the heat if they don’t have any power in their homes.  Residents may call 3-1-1 to arrange for transportation to available shelters.