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Farmers Branch honors employee, proclaims bird‑friendly 'Lights Out' nights and recognizes police reaccreditation
Summary
At its April 22 meeting, Farmers Branch presented employee of the month honors, issued two proclamations (Lights Out Texas and National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week) and recognized the police department’s reaccreditation by the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
The Farmers Branch City Council on April 22 presented several ceremonial recognitions: Parks and Recreation employee Jose Torres was named employee of the month for March; the council proclaimed spring and fall Lights Out nights to help protect migrating birds; the council proclaimed April as National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week; and the Farmers Branch Police Department received a certificate of reaccreditation under the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Best Practices program.
Council members praised Jose Torres for storm response and long service in the Parks and Recreation Department. Torres, introduced as recipient of the employee award, declined to speak at length but thanked his coworkers. The mayor and a council member described Torres’s "work ethic, passion for service, and love for the Farmers Branch community" as distinguishing characteristics.
Mayor Terry Lynn read a proclamation declaring April 22 through May 12 and Sept. 5 through Oct. 29 as Lights Out nights, encouraging residents and businesses to turn off nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during critical bird migration periods to reduce collisions and save electricity. The proclamation noted collaboration with Audubon Texas and said nearly two billion birds migrate through the state annually, language read aloud by the mayor as part of the ceremonial proclamation.
The council also read a proclamation recognizing National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week to honor animal control officers’ service. The mayor called attention to the work animal control officers do in capturing dangerous animals, rescuing animals in distress, and investigating cruelty reports.
The council recognized the Farmers Branch Police Department’s reaccreditation status with the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Best Practices program. Coppell Police Chief Danny Barton presented the certificate and audit details; Chief Kevin McCoy of Farmers Branch thanked staff members who led the reaccreditation effort and noted the department’s ongoing participation in a consortium with neighboring agencies. Barton said the accreditation program requires meeting more than 173 standards and that of roughly 2,800 Texas law‑enforcement agencies, only 218 have achieved accredited status.
All recognitions were ceremonial; no formal policy action was required for these items.
