Latest news with #TexarkanaArkansasPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Help Texarkana Arkansas police with new community safety program
TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is partnering with law publications. They are a company that works with law enforcement agencies to distribute custom books and magazines that are designed to educate and inform the community about threats to health and safety. 'Educational materials, yeah, all about the drugs with examples and the book explains everything, especially vaping and fentanyl, which is the two biggest issues that we have,' said Steve Wallace, a retired police officer and who is helping the department with the community safety program. Tax incentives bringing jobs to Bowie County The different books cover a wide variety of topics that affect teens, parents, and seniors. 'There's also the main one which all of our sponsors will be sponsored in, which is like about cyber scam alerts, protecting your identity, that one is a really good one because we have those kind of crimes all the time,' said Kristen Schultz with TAPD, 'And then they also do some cute little coloring activity books for kids when we go to our community outreach events.' The materials would be distributed to local organizations based on what sort of issues the people they serve typically face and at their outreach events. 'A lot of people don't have access to the computers sometimes, so when we go out to events, they don't have their phones or computers at hand. So now we have this material in our hands and we can pass it out to them,' said Schultz. It would all come at no cost to the department because they are seeking community sponsors who would be featured in the books. Texarkana clinic opening to serve Spanish-speaking population 'I go to the business and explain what the chief and the department are getting and seeing who can participate, who can partner with the department to help get the materials for the community,' said Wallace, 'They're excited about the material, would like to get some of the material, so the support's good, but we still need more help.' They will be out in the community all next week as they continue to seek support for the program. Anyone who is interested in being a sponsor or receiving materials can contact Schultz at (903) 798-3560. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
06-02-2025
- USA Today
Pilot stops armed teenager who demanded plane at Arkansas airport, police say
Pilot stops armed teenager who demanded plane at Arkansas airport, police say A teenage boy who brandished two firearms and demanded a plane at a southwestern Arkansas airport was arrested after being confronted by a local pilot, authorities said. Police received reports of a disturbance at Signature Aviation, a business that provides aviation services at the Texarkana Regional Airport in Arkansas, at around 7:35 a.m. local time on Tuesday, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department said. A witness saw the teen, armed with both a handgun and an AR-style rifle, enter the airport from the general aviation side, according to police and the airport. While brandishing the two firearms, the teen walked to the front counter and began demanding a plane, police said. The witness fled the scene and alerted others, police added. A pilot for a local private business then confronted the teenager after he exited the business, according to police. The pilot retrieved a firearm from his truck and "began ordering the suspect on the ground," police said. During the confrontation, the teenager, who was disarmed, complied, according to police. Officers later arrived at the scene and took the teen into custody. "The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department applauds the heroic act by the local pilot," police said in a statement. "The fact that this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully, despite the extreme danger presented, is highly commendable." The teen, whose name was not released, was arrested for aggravated assault, attempted aggravated robbery, and first-degree terrorist threatening, according to police. He was transferred to an Arkansas juvenile detention center after his arrest. Seattle airport collision: Parked Delta aircraft struck by Japan Airlines plane while it was taxiing, airport says Airport promises to improve security system after incident Following the incident, the Texarkana Regional Airport said it was open and secure, and that no one was injured during the incident. "Thankfully, between the actions of the Signature FBO staff and a local pilot (the suspect) was subdued quickly without any injuries," the airport said in a statement. "We thank everyone for their quick actions and doing their part to keep our community safe." Paul Mehrlich, the airport's director, told local television station KSLA News 12 that while the airport had safety measures, they "will find ways to improve our systems." 'And we feel it did work in the way it's supposed to, but of course, any time you have an incident like this, we find ways to improve it, make it faster," Mehrlich told the television station. "If you can shave 10 to 15 seconds off, that can mean more lives saved in the future." The Texarkana Regional Airport is the primary airport for the twin cities of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas. In 2019, the Texarkana Gazette reported that a man allegedly tried to steal a plane to see a concert in Illinois and was arrested after he was found sitting in the pilot's seat in the cockpit.
The Independent
05-02-2025
- The Independent
Armed teen demands plane at airport before hero pilot stops him: Police
A young teenager brandishing a firearm demanded a plane at Arkansas Texarkana Regional Airport before he was disarmed by a pilot packing a gun on Tuesday, law enforcement authorities reported. The boy, 15, entered the airport shortly before 7:35 a.m. with both a handgun and an AR-style rifle, said authorities with the Texarkana Police Department in Arkansas. He walked up to an airline ticket counter and ordered workers to get him a plane, said officials. A witness who saw the exchange managed to flee the area and alerted others to what had happened. Some employee managed to back away, lock themselves in a safe room and called 911. The suspect, meanwhile, exited the building and began walking on the airfield. A pilot working for a private flight service at the airport who was made aware of the incident retrieved his own firearm from his truck, approached the suspect and ordered him down on the ground, according to police. The suspect complied. The pilot then disarmed him, and authorities quickly arrived to take the teen into custody, police reported. No one was injured in the confrontation. The juvenile suspect faces charges of aggravated assault, attempted aggravated robbery and terroristic threatening. He was transferred to an Arkansas juvenile detention center. A district attorney will later decide on formal charges. Police did not identify the suspect, as is common in cases involving minors. 'The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department applauds the heroic act by the local pilot,' said a police statement. 'The fact that this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully, despite the extreme danger presented, is highly commendable.' Airport Director Paul Mehrlich told KSLA-TV: 'We want everybody to know the airport is safe and secure and flights will be going out as usual.' He added: 'We are thankful that there were no injuries, no lives lost, but it really was through the actions of this pilot and the staff at Signature Aviation that their actions saved lives.'
Cedar News
04-02-2025
- Cedar News
Armed Juvenile Subdued at Texarkana Regional Airport After Demanding Plane
Join our Telegram ARKANSAS: Minor arrested after entering Texarkana Regional Airport with an AR-style rifle, demanding an airplane. In a tense morning at Texarkana Regional Airport, a juvenile armed with an AR-15 rifle entered the facility around 7:30 a.m., demanding an airplane. According to reports, the situation was swiftly contained by quick-thinking airport staff and a local pilot, preventing what could have escalated into a dangerous scenario. The incident unfolded on the general aviation side near the Signature Hangar, where the armed teenager approached employees, making his demand for an aircraft. Airport employees, following safety protocols, managed to secure themselves in a safe location and alerted authorities by calling 911. A pilot for a local private business, witnessing the unfolding event, took decisive action. Armed with his own firearm, he confronted the juvenile, ordering him to the ground. The teenager complied, was disarmed, and subsequently taken into custody by the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department. No injuries were reported during the ordeal, and the airport was temporarily locked down as a precaution. The airport has since resumed normal operations, ensuring that the facility is secure. Authorities confirmed that another firearm was discovered in a vehicle associated with the incident, highlighting the potential severity of the situation. The identity of the juvenile has not been disclosed due to age, but officials have stated that there is currently no ongoing threat to the public.
