Community Programs
Back to School Blue Santa
Applications for Blue Santa: Back-to-School 2023 are now closed.
Blue Santa
Blue Santa is a program through TPD that helps Temple families in need. We partner with residents and local businesses by collecting gift donations in the form of toys and books. The program began in 2012 and since then has helped over 850 families and 2,400 children receive gifts for the holidays.
Through the program, each child receives gifts and books. Applicants are required to live in Temple and provide proof of residence and age verification. The program is open to children ages 14 and under.
To find out where to donate, please contact the program coordinator at 254-298-5553.
Citizen's Police Academy
The Citizen's Police Academy of Temple is a 25-hour course. Sponsored by the Temple Police Department, its goal is to give the community it serves a better understanding of police operations and procedures. Learn more and apply here!
National Night Out
NEIGHBORHOODS:
If you have a Neighborhood Watch Program already established, you may want to assist your captain in planning the events. You may also start your own National Night Out block party if one has not been established in your neighborhood.
BUSINESSES:
You are able to advertise local National Night Out locations by hanging flyers in your business window. You may also partner with National Night Out block parties and assist them in planning their party.
CHURCHES/CIVIC GROUPS:
You are able to assist by making announcements to members so they may attend their individual National Night Out block parties. You may also be able to assist with setting up tables/chairs or other props at various parties. Some churches and schools have allowed area block parties to host the National Night Out event in their parking-lots.
NEWS OUTLETS:
News Outlets are encouraged to run various news stories before and after the city-wide event. The news may bolster support by interviewing prior National Night Out participants and block party captains.
QUESTIONS:
Contact the COPS office at 254-298-5912 or email mmaldonado@templetx.gov.Operation Fast Trak
Operation Fast Trak is a program that is designed to help with the rapid recovery of missing persons with mental disabilities who have developed wandering tendencies. These disabilities frequently result in wandering behaviors and include:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Autism
- Down's syndrome
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Temple Police Department, the Temple Public Safety Advisory Board, and Leadership Temple have joined forces to help save lives in Temple. Through community involvement and contributions, this program is growing and thriving in our city.
TRAGEDY PREVENTION
In 2007, an elderly Temple woman with Alzheimer's Disease wandered away from her caregivers at the Temple Mall. She was found the next day, deceased after succumbing to hypothermia. Operation Fast Trak, which began in 2008, is designed to help prevent that type of tragedy from happening again in Temple.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY & INFORMATION
Operation Fast Track relies on proven, but simple radio technology and a specially trained search and rescue team. Clients who are enrolled in Operation Fast Trak wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify the police that a person is missing, our officers respond to the wanderer's area and begin searching using this tracking system.
DECREASE IN STATISTICS & RECOVERY TIME
Operation Fast Trak reports that using this system reduces search times from hours and days to just minutes in most cases. In what now amounts to over 1,500 searches using Operation Fast Trak equipment, there have been no reported serious injuries or deaths, and recovery times average less than 30 minutes. Clearly, it was time to bring this powerful tool to Central Texas.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE PROGRAM
Operation Fast Trak currently serves several clients in the Temple area. Continued maintenance of equipment, and additional radio transmitters for clients, require funds that you can assist in providing. Please consider making a donation to help us continue this program. All funding received will be used to support Operation Fast Trak in Temple, and all purchases will be monitored by the Temple Public Safety Advisory Board. Remember, your contribution is a tax-deductible donation made to the City of Temple.
CANDIDATES FOR OPERATION FAST TRAK
If you live in Temple and are the caregiver to a person with a medical condition that produces wandering behaviors, we would like to hear from you. With a short initial interview, we can provide you with the peace of mind this program allows. Call our program coordinator at 298-5788, or email us.
Victim's Assistance Program
CRIME VICTIMS SURVEY
This survey is for victims of crime to voluntarily provide anonymous feedback to the victim services staff at the Temple Police Department. Please take the survey here.
HELPFUL LINKS
Attorney General's Office - Crime Victim Services
Bell County Courts
Bell County District Attorney's Office
Bell County Inmate Inquiry
Lone Star Legal Aid - Protective Orders
National Office for Victims of Crime
Texas Council on Family Violence
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Victim Services
Texas VINE - Victim Notification
MORE INFORMATION
For further information regarding Victim’s Assistance please contact Temple Police Victim’s Liaison, Lisa Hatfield at: (254) 298-5678 or via email at lhatfield@templetx.gov
Bell County Peace Officer Memorial Program
Texas Fallen officers are honored at the Bell County Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony, which is hosted by a different Bell County LEA each year. Temple Police Department hosted the event May 11, 2021, honoring fallen officers from 2019 and 2020 and officers who died from COVID-19 over those same years.