Fighting Crime: Funds Earmarked for License Plate Readers
In an effort to help battle rising crime in Houston, Council Member Edward Pollard announced his commitment of funds to the Houston Police Department to purchase license plate readers (LPR) for use throughout District J. The LPRs are in addition to Pollard’s expansion of the District J Patrol initiative by earmarking more funding for the Houston Police Department’s Differential Response Team (DRT) officers.
In comments to the press, the Council Member said, “We want to send a strong message to criminals that all eyes are on you. We are going to use every resource at our disposal to make sure residents and visitors to our great city feel safe and can work, live and play without threat to their property or their lives.”
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DistrictJJobs.com Helps Houstonians Find Employment
As Houston begins to transition out of the pandemic, access to quality job opportunities is essential to the overall economic stability of families and the city at large and will help deter crime. With that in mind, Council Member Pollard announced the launch of DistrictJJobs.com. The District J Jobs website gives residents a quick and easy option to finding employment without having to go to a job fair or other career source. Riders can simply hold their phone up to the QR code to be taken to the website. The District J Office partnered with METRO to unveil the campaign as well as to demonstrate the use of the QR codes, which will be posted at sheltered bus stops throughout the district. Thanks to METRO President and CEO Thomas Lambert as well as METRO's Vice President, Government Affairs, Eduardo Miranda, Jr., as well as to the City of Houston IT Director Lisa Kent and her staff, including Robert Nowak and Mai Fung. And a special thanks to Council Aide Emma Garza and District J Director of Communications Misty Starks. To access available jobs, please visit www.DistrictJJobs.com.
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March on Crime in Gulfton
In a show of solidarity, a unified coalition of the Gulfton community as well as city leaders gathered for a half-mile march against crime. The event was meant to send a message of unity and a commitment to fighting crime in the area. Led by Council Member Pollard, participants included dignitaries, school children, parents, and concerned community members. The march began at Benavidez Elementary School and ended at Burnett Bayland Park, where there was a program of speakers and the unveiling of a new mural. The mural was created by artist Pablo Sanchez of Simply Artistic, and it depicts flags from the many nations that make up the demographics of the area. The mural is one of several future initiatives aimed at the revitalization of the Gulfton neighborhood.
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Houston to Get New Vietnam Memorial
During the National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony, Council Member Pollard announced that his office is spearheading the construction of the first Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the city of Houston. The memorial will honor Vietnam veterans from the greater Houston area, including all contiguous counties (Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller), who served during the war. More details will be shared in the coming months as they become available.
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Heavy Trash Removal Is Back
To help supplement the work of Houston’s Solid Waste Department, Council Member Pollard announces the second installment of the District J Private Trash Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 30th. This initiative is a two-tier program that provides door-to-door pickup of heavy trash and tree waste and makes available monitored large dumpsters, where residents can discard select items. Residents must register beforehand in order for their items to be collected. Visit this link to register. Please see the list of items below that will not be accepted. This program is for District J residents only.
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Annual Water and Wastewater Rate Adjustment
The Houston Public Works Department has announced the annual waste water rate adjustment. City Ordinances require certain automatic annual adjustments to the water and wastewater rates based on inflationary indices. The new automatic annual water and wastewater rate increase is 5.6%, which began on April 1, 2022. Interested parties can access the City Secretary website that has the water and sewer rate study and table of water and wastewater rates that were approved by City Council last year at this link.
The following link www.Houstonwater.org has the rate calculator that constituents can use to calculate their water and wastewater charges, and will be updated with new charges effective April 1, 2022. Please note, the generic calculator is only applicable for Single Family Residential with 5/8” meter. But for those customers with online profile, they get a customized calculator for specific meter size on the account.
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Redistricting Town Hall Meetings
District J residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming Redistricting Town Hall Meeting on Monday, May 2, at 6 p.m., tentatively scheduled to take place at Sharpstown Community Center, 6855 Harbor Town Dr., 77036. The redistricting is a result of the 2020 Census and happens every ten years. The purpose of the town hall meeting is to explain the redistricting process and allow members of the public to give input to the City on how they want their district to look in the future. To stay updated on the redistricting process, including meeting dates for all district, please visit https://www.letstalkhouston.org/redistricting.
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Recognizing National Autism Month
April is National Autism Month where we as a national take time to recognize families dealing with autism. Social Motion is offering classes to help children with autism build social skills in some key areas including communication, perspective, self-awareness, self- advocacy and personal responsibility.
Topics include:
- How to join/leave conversations
- Using social filters
- Using social media appropriately
- How to ask for help
- Accepting constructive criticism
- Handling big emotions
- Identifying what a good friend look like
All classes are free depending on income eligibility and will be held at Gethsemane Church, located at 6856 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77074. For more information visit www.socialmotionskills.org.
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Asian Chamber of Commerce
The Asian Chamber of Commerce held its annual business luncheon at the Westin Galleria, and Council Member Pollard was one of several elected officials in attendance. The Asian community is growing and thriving in District J, and this community is important to the social and economic success of Houston. Special thank you to Board Chair, Kenneth Li, for his leadership, Wells Fargo, and all sponsors who helped make the event a success.
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Meeting with National Leaders
Council Member Pollard was an invited guest at the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C. with Mayor Sylvester Turner. Local and national and leaders, including President Joe Biden, were in attendance. Participants shared ideas and best practices on topics such as public safety and infrastructure.
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Black Restaurant Week Is Underway
Black Restaurant Week started here in Houston and has expanded to a nationwide campaign to highlight and support Black-owned restaurants. Now through April 10, 2022, Houstonians can enjoy restaurants that offer flavors of African-America, African and Caribbean cuisine in eateries located through the city as well as in Beaumont and Galveston. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit https://blackrestaurantweeks.com/houston-directory/ .
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Reclaim Brownfield Initiative
The District J office has partnered with Houston Landbank to make our communities safer by reclaiming abandoned, damaged or vacant properties that may contributed to blight in the city.
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Keeping Houston Beautiful
This past weekend, we recognized Keep Houston Beautiful Day. Council Member Pollard and volunteers from a variety of organizations as well as individuals participated in 12 beautification projects throughout District J. Special thanks to the Sharpstown Civic Association, Brays Oaks Super Neighborhood, Braeburn Valley West, Neighborhood to Trails SW, Sharpstown Park Alliance, and all others who helped coordinate. Special shout out to the Houston Baptist University student athletes and coaches for volunteering today at several sites. These young men and women made real impact on our community and we truly appreciate it.
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HAULYP Honors Edward Pollard with Award
The Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals honored Council Member Pollard with the 2022 Black Excellence Award at their Casino Night Gala at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.
Established in 1910, The National Urban League (NUL) is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) was organized in June, 1968 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 agency. Affiliated with the United Way and National Urban League, HAUL advocates for and provides social services to disadvantaged people of all races, gender, age groups, and/or disabilities.
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Child Abuse Awareness Resources
The Harris County District Attorney's office wants to make the public aware that April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and that there are resources available for child victims and anyone who needs to report crimes against children. Information in English and Spanish is below along with a video from District Attorney Kim Ogg.
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Interfaith Ministries Searching for Students and Recent Grads
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston has launched its SERVE HOUSTON AmeriCorps program, which is a six-month service-learning experience for college students and recent graduates. Interfaith Ministries feeds thousands of homebound seniors and their pets, settles refugees, promotes interfaith dialogue and understanding, and transforms the community through volunteerism. Successful applicants will receive $4500 living allowance and an education award of $1718 upon completion of the program.
Selected participants (called Members) will be placed in teams of five (5) in ten (10) different nonprofits in the city to help “get things done” by working directly with some of the community’s most vulnerable people. To learn more or submit an application, visit https://volunteerhouston.org/servehouston/.
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Helping Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine continues, there are many people right here in Houston who want to help the people of Ukraine, but they may not be aware of how to get involved. A German delegation spoke before City Council in March and met with Council Member Pollard about ways Houstonians can help. For more information and to make a donation, please visit https://leipzig-kiew.eu/. Be sure to click the "translate this page if you do not speak German.
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Pollard Speaks at TSU
Council Member Pollard returned to the campus of Texas Southern University to serve as a guest speaker for the Frederick Douglass Lecture Series, hosted by the Honors College. He spoke from the topic of Beyond Voting, where he talked about the importance of knowing more about candidates before casting your vote. Thanks to Dr. George Kieh who is the Dean of the Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs and to all the students, faculty, and staff for being there.
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Tech Improvements at Marion Park
As a native District J resident, Council Member Pollard recalls his many memories at Marian Park. During a recent visit, he noticed the park was in need of care and investment, particularly is it came to technology. He reached out to the nonprofit, Bridging the Digital Divide and AT&T to collaborate on a public/private partnership to improve the computer lab and provide internet access to residents.
The first phase of this new partnership included a $10,000 allocation from Pollard's office that allowed for the donation of 10 desktop computers to the park’s community center. With the generous support of AT&T, residents also received over 100 laptop computers and several hundred hot spots. The initiative also allowed for the transformation of the outside playground area to a Wifi Park so anyone outside visiting the park can have internet access. A big thank you goes out to Angelee Rhyne and all the friends of the park, Johnny Molock and the entire Bridging the Digital Divide organization, and Charles Stein and all those at AT&T for helping make this possible.
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Affordable Internet Service Via Comcast
Comcast/Xfinity is offering an Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides eligible households a credit of up to $30/month towards Internet and mobile services. This credit is available to qualifying new and existing customers and may be applied toward Xfinity Internet, Internet Essentials and Xfinity Mobile services. For more information, visit this link.
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Houston Region Business Coalition
Council Member Pollard gave the opening prayer and welcome remarks at the Houston Region Business Coalition (HRBC) breakfast. He spoke about the importance of being in unity in order to achieve goals for the common good. The HBRC supports public policy, elected officials and candidates for elected office that promote our core values of limited government, capitalism and private property rights.
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Stenographers Conference
The inaugural Fearless Stenographers Conference took place at Omni Houston Hotel in March. Council Member Pollard presented a proclamation to its founder, Shaunise Day. The event brought together many stenographers who play an important role in legal proceedings.
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Pilgrim Rest Church
The historic Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church celebrates its 157th church anniversary this year. Council Member Pollard was on hand for the celebration and to present a proclamation to the church, which was founded the same year slaves were freed in Texas. Special thanks to Pastor Daymond Wilkins and the entire church family for their service to the community.
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German Sister City
As a global city, Houston is often visited by dignitaries from around the world. Recently, Council Member Pollard hosted a delegation from the sister city of Leipzig, German. Houston leaders will be working to provide support to Leipzig as they strive to aid their neighbors in Ukraine who are fleeing for safety.
Thank you to Council Member Sallie Comstock Alcorn for hosting with Council Member Pollard, and to former Council Member Mike Laster for his continued leadership in being a bridge between the two cities.
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District J in the Media
The District J staff has been working hard on various programs, events and partnerships in an effort to make District J as great as it can be. Many local media outlets have taken notice of those efforts. Click here to take a look at some of the media attention our work has garnered as of late.
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Summer Paid Internships for Youth
SERJobs announces opportunities for young adults as part of the This Way ONward summer program. Applicants should be between the ages of 16 and 24 and must be authorized to work in the U.S. They must also meet the poverty income guidelines, submit and application and complete job readiness training once approved. For more information about each opportunity, scan the QR codes on each flyer below or visit serjobs.com/summer.
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District J Projects
Harwin Repairs
A District J resident reached out to our office about road issues along Harwin Dr. Council Member Pollard visited the area and observed that improvements were necessary for parts of Harwin. Our office has contacted Houston Public Works to notify them of the necessary improvements, and we have committed funding to address several areas of need.
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HOT Team
The HOT Team assists with picking up scattered debris, removing heavy trash, tree waste and illegal dumping, and handling specific landscaping issues. All requests for assistance from the HOT Team should be submitted via 311. The HOT Team makes pickups according to the following schedule:
1st Thursday - Sharpstown
2nd Thursday - St. George, Gulfton and Richmond Plaza South
3rd Thursday - Braeburn Area
4th Thursday - Alief/Westwood
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The District J HOT Team was called out to remove debris along the side of a road. They quickly took care of the issue. We appreciate the swift attention from this dedicated crew. |
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District J Patrol
District J Patrol is a three-pronged approach to public safety bridging the gap between the law enforcement officers in District J and the communities they serve. Sponsored by the District J office, this pilot initiative includes community patrolling by Houston Police Department’s Differential Response Team (DRT), the use of two Polaris vehicles and the District J Patrol Task Force. Residents may report small neighborhood violations and infringements, such as panhandling, loitering, overgrown lots, graffiti, homeless encampments and other public nuisances. To file a report, visit the online portal at www.DistrictJPatrol.com.
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Council Member Edward Pollard
City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, First Floor, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 393-3015
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