Public Safety Alliance: A large turnout of property managers and building owners converged at the Holiday Inn,10609 Westpark, to hear HPD Assistant Chief Yasar Bashir and meet HPD officers who are focused on Westchase District.

More than 50 Westchase District property managers and business owners turned out recently to hear HPD Assistant Chief Yasar Bashir speak to a meeting of the Public Safety Alliance.

Several of Bashir’s sergeants, lieutenants and commanders were present for the meeting and Bashir complimented them as some of the best officers in the city.

“Commander Hardy oversees the Westside Division, which is one of the busiest areas in the city,” noted Bashir. “Our crime suppression team is working undercover with the nightshift and they’re some of the best in the city. Patrol is where the action is and where we can have the most impact.”

Bashir credited Mayor Sylvester Turner’s “One Safe Houston” program with reducing crime in Houston. He said the City’s new law (requiring scrap metal dealers to take pictures of any catalytic converter they buy, along with serial or VIN numbers on the product) won’t solve the problem of catalytic converter thefts, but it should help.

And he cited the new ordinance requiring convenience stores, night clubs and sexually oriented businesses to have parking lot cameras and exterior lighting as another crime deterrent measure.

Bashir noted that HPD is understaffed and actively recruiting new officers. “We’ll train you and build you up. You don’t have to know how to shoot a gun or drive a police car, we’ll show you,” he said.

Chief Bashir presented crime prevention tips and shared HPD's recruitment efforts to hire more officers.

Bashir is a 21-year veteran of HPD. As Assistant Chief, he is responsible for five patrol divisions and the Mental Health Division. He said HPD’s partnership with Westchase District is a great one that benefits both organizations.

Have you been thinking about expanding your family by adding a new furry friend? Maybe finding the time to visit an animal shelter has eluded you as much as figuring out the adoption process. Don't woofy be happy because Woodchase Park is bringing the Houston Humane Society to the park to help. On Thursday, Sept. 29 from 6 - 8 p.m., stop by the dog park and visit with the Humane Society which will have pet adoption specialists onsite. The best part is that the agency will be bringing five dogs available for adoption. In addition, come learn about the Humane Society's mission, enjoy giveaways, and pick up treats from Blair Johnson Wellness.

Movie Night returns on Saturday, Oct. 1 with Coco. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Released by Walt Disney and produced by Pixar Animation Studios in 2017, Coco is inspired by the Mexican holiday tradition of Day of the Dead. It tells the story of a young man's musical dreams and his life with the elderly Coco who connects him to storied musicians who were legends from the past.

Enjoy food trucks, lawn games, join Gracie Jiu Jitsu for free kids demonstration, and enter a raffle for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas. Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Ena Puder with Keller Williams; Veronica Villafana with The Villafana Group; Mary Hooton, Frontier Title; Rosanna Shephard credit consulting; and Sebastian Giraldo, Goosehead Insurance.

Thursdays @ 3 p.m. *Rain or shine* St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church

10503 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77042 (at Rogerdale, one block west of Beltway 8)

Haitea Brings Spice of Life

Adorah Pierre-Mondesir is a new market vendor whose spices and teas promote healthy living.

New market vendor Haitea's name is a combination of Haiti and tea, one of the world's favorite beverages. Haitea's Organic Blend & Spices makes what it calls healthy seasonings. Its teas and spices are organic and a natural blend of ingredients.

Owner Adorah Pierre-Mondesir enjoys creating products that encourage people to take care of themselves through a healthy lifestyle like cooking with ingredient choices that support physical health and mental well-being. Pierre-Mondesir stresses benefits like detox and cleansing to feeling better. 

"Our company is based on Haitian cultural heritage and natural health and wellness," said Pierre-Mondesir. "Enjoying tea is a big part of how I grew up. I love creating products like natural teas that help encourage healthy living. Little changes people make in what they consume can help them go natural and improve their well-being."

For its spices line, Haitea's only uses dried herbs and Himalayan pink salts to lower sodium levels.

Council Member Thomas and District F Team Tour District

Tiffany D. Thomas, Houston City Council Member for District F, took her team on the road to Westchase District. Irma Sanchez, vice president of projects, coordinated a shuttle bus tour for council member Thomas and her staff to showcase the latest projects completed by the District including significant improvements on Walnut Bend Lane.

From the trail entrance at Meadowglen Lane and Walnut Bend, Sanchez explained the scope of work performed by the District, including road replacement, below ground drainage improvements, pedestrian street light poles, spruced up landscaping, widened sidewalks, bike lane paths, custom bus shelter installations, and on street parking. "If I were able to forecast how transformational this project would be, I would have contributed more funds to support this effort," said Thomas. "Westchase District continues to demonstrate how leveraging various economic tools directly improves the quality of life for residents and increases the value for businesses to consider locating."

After driving north to south on Walnut Bend, the tour proceeded to Westheimer. Sanchez described traffic mast arm work on Westheimer's intersections. The tour culminated with lunch at Woodchase Park. "The great thing about all of the improvements is residents don't have to leave their neighborhood or go outside of the District to have a great experience outdoors," added Thomas. "It's in their own backyard."

Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas (middle) and her team enjoy Woodchase Park mural.

WHAM's Faith, Hope and Love Benefit Luncheon is September 29

West Houston Assistance Ministries' (WHAM) largest yearly fundraiser is coming up in a few weeks. WHAM is hosting its annual Faith, Hope, and Love Benefit Luncheon, on Thursday, Sept. 29 at the River Oaks Country Club. The reception and auction begin at 11 a.m. Three-time Emmy-Award winning journalist Chauncy Glover will emcee the luncheon at noon when WHAM will present the Community Builder Award to the Houston Food Bank for feeding thousands of our neighbors in need.

The luncheon will also include the presentation of the Penrod Volunteer Award to two

wonderful and deserving volunteers who have shown remarkable dedication in service of WHAM and its mission.

Houston Astros Legend and 2022 Astros Hall of Fame Inductee, Terry Puhl, will deliver the keynote address. Puhl is one of the longest-serving Astros players in team history and he ranks in the top 10 all time in franchise history including games played, hits, doubles, triples and runs scored. Reserve your table or ticket here.

Westchase District's public safety dispatch line is 713-701-7800.

About Westchase District

Westchase District is a municipal management district funded by local property owners in a 4.2 square-mile area centered on Sam Houston Tollway between I-10 and US-59 on the west side of Houston, Texas. 

The district promotes growth by enhancing: 

• Mobility
• Beautification
• Public Safety
• Planning and Development

Have District-related news? 

Send it with your contact info to: cjacinto@westchasedistrict.com  

Approved items may be altered for clarity, length and style, and will appear as our editorial calendar permits.

We've sent you this email because you've expressed interest in Westchase District. Please add info@westchasedistrict.com to your address book or spam white list so we'll always land in your inbox. You can call us at 713-780-9434.

Copyright © Westchase District. All rights reserved.