FAQ's
Burn Bans
In Burleson County, Texas, burn bans are decided and issued by the county judge or the commissioners court, which has the authority to prohibit or restrict outdoor burning when drought conditions and elevated wildfire risks threaten public safety. This process follows general Texas guidelines, where local officials assess factors such as dry weather, fire fuel availability, and drought indices like the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)-a measure of soil moisture deficit provided by the Texas A&M Forest Service-to determine the need for a ban. Burleson County Office of Emergency Management, and the Texas A&M Forest Service (link provided under Alerts and Information Tab) provides supporting resources including KBDI maps and drought monitors to inform these decisions, though no unique criteria beyond the statewide standards apply specifically to Burleson County.
Does the Sheriff's Office have an Animal Control Unit?
The Burleson County Sheriff's Office, located in Caldwell, Texas, does not maintain a dedicated animal control unit. General animal control services for issues like stray or abandoned pets are not provided directly by the Sheriff's Office; instead, these are handled by local nonprofit organizations such as Haven Animal Rescue of Texas (HART), as well as city-level services in places like Caldwell. The Sheriff's Office may get involved in limited capacities, such as after-hours responses in certain municipalities or cases involving animal cruelty, hoarding, or impoundment of stray livestock (known as estrays), but it lacks a formal unit for comprehensive animal control across the county.
Difference between CTW, Restraining order, Protection order and where to get them
A Criminal Trespass Warning (CTW), also known as a trespass notice, is an informal directive typically issued by local law enforcement at the request of a property owner or manager, notifying an individual that they are prohibited from entering or remaining on a specific property. It carries no court involvement initially and is not a formal order, but violating it can result in criminal trespass charges, focusing solely on property access rather than personal interactions or broader safety concerns.
In comparison, a restraining order is a court-issued legal document that mandates certain restrictions on an individual's behavior, such as prohibiting contact, harassment, or proximity to another person, often arising from civil disputes like divorce or criminal cases involving threats. It provides enforceable protections beyond just property, potentially including requirements to stay away from homes, workplaces, or schools, and violations can lead to contempt of court or additional criminal penalties.
A protection order, sometimes used interchangeably with restraining order depending on the jurisdiction, is similarly a court order aimed at preventing abuse, stalking, domestic violence, or threats, requiring the restrained party to avoid contact or specific locations associated with the protected individual. While the terms overlap significantly- with some states preferring "protection order" for family or intimate partner violence scenarios-the key emphasis is on personal safety, and it may include emergency temporary versions or longer-term extensions.
The primary differences lie in their scope and authority: CTWs are narrow, non-judicial tools limited to trespass prevention with potential for police enforcement on violation; restraining orders offer broader civil or criminal restrictions on conduct and contact; and protection orders mirror this but often prioritize violence prevention, with all three varying slightly by state laws in terms of duration, which can range from indefinite for CTWs to temporary (days to weeks) or extended (months to years) for the others, and enforcement typically involving arrests for breaches of court orders.
To obtain a CTW contact your local police department or sheriff's office directly, as it's issued informally upon a property owner's complaint without needing court approval, though documenting prior incidents like photos or witness statements strengthens the case.
For a restraining order, file a petition at your local courthouse-often in family, civil, or criminal court depending on the context-providing evidence of harassment or threats, with many jurisdictions offering free forms and possible temporary orders issued quickly by a judge.
Protection orders follow a similar process, typically through the same local courts.
Crash Reports and where to get them
Directly contact the agency that completed the report; provide details like the incident date, location, and report number when inquiring, and be prepared for potential fees or in-person pickup.
You can also purchase a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) online via TxDOT's Crash Report Online Purchase System at cris.txdot.gov/public/Purchase, where you'll need to provide details such as the crash date, location, and involved parties to search for the report; once located, a standard copy costs $6, while a certified copy (often required for legal or insurance purposes) is $8, with additional fees possible for credit card payments. Reports are typically available within 10 days after the incident, and you'll receive them via email after purchase.
Civil Stand by
A civil standby, also known as a peace officer standby or civil assistance, is a service provided by law enforcement where officers accompany an individual to a location to help maintain peace and prevent potential escalation into violence or disputes, typically during the retrieval of personal property from a shared residence, such as in cases involving domestic separations, evictions, or landlord-tenant conflicts. It is not a formal court order but rather an informal precautionary measure where officers act as neutral observers to ensure safety without actively intervening in civil matters unless a crime occurs, and Texas law provides officers with immunity from civil liability when assisting in such scenarios, particularly in domestic violence contexts under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 5.045. The process generally involves the requesting party contacting local law enforcement to explain the situation, providing details like the address, involved parties, and reasons for concern, after which officers may agree to accompany them if resources allow and the request is deemed appropriate, though availability can depend on department policy and the absence of an active emergency. In Burleson County, contact your local Justice Of the Peace/Constables Office to inquire about a Civil Stand By.
Can I Shoot down a drone flying over my property? What are the laws for drones?
It's illegal to down (e.g., shoot down or otherwise destroy) drones in Texas primarily because they are classified as aircraft under federal law, regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Willfully damaging, destroying, or disabling an aircraft is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 32, which can result in fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years. This applies nationwide, regardless of whether the drone is flying over private property or appears to be trespassing.
Drone operators are bound by Texas Government Code 423; adding privacy and surveillance restrictions, focusing on imaging and overflight of certain areas. These apply on top of federal rules and are enforced by state/local authorities. All Operators other than recreational pilots MUST be Part 107 Certified by the FAA.
Train Stopped at Railroad Crossings
BCSO has no authority over railroads. Any questions or complaints can be made at BNSF 800-832-5452 and provide DOT # for specific crossing.
What is a Close Patrol, and how can I request one?
A close patrol (also known as an extra patrol or vacation watch) is a specialized law enforcement service where police officers provide temporary, increased monitoring of a specific residence or business. This service is typically requested by property owners when they are away on vacation, following suspicious activity, or after a recent crime has occurred at the location.
If you would like to request a Close Patrol you may contact dispatch 979-567-4343 OR complete this Close_Patrol_Request_Form_updated_1-2022.docx and return it via email to [email protected]
