From Precinct 2's annual Black History Month luncheon at Mangum-Howell Community Center to a cherished exhibit on the history of Carver High School in Baytown at JD Walker Community Center, we love honoring Black history with our community. The exhibit is open until February 29 at JD Walker Community Center located at 7613 Wade Rd, Baytown, TX 77521.

This month, the Precinct 2 team was also delighted to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade in downtown Houston. Severe weather postponed the original date in January. We were excited to deck out our float and join the greater Houston community in celebrating Dr. King's legacy.

On February 7, Precinct 2 hosted a live discussion on Facebook to bring awareness to teen dating violence. Commissioner Adrian Garcia was joined by representatives of the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC), Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA), and The Montrose Center.

A few takeaways from the discussion:

• Parents and teenagers should learn about different forms of abuse
• Teen dating violence can occur online and is not just physical
• It affects individuals of all genders and sexual orientations, making it important to recognize and address this diversity in experiences
• Encouraging victims to seek help, providing mental health support, and breaking the silence surrounding teen dating violence are essential steps in preventing harm and promoting healthy relationships

If you know someone who are experiencing abuse, please contact:

• Love is Respect 1-866-331-9474
• Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC)713-528-2121
• Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) (713) 224-9911
• The Montrose Center 713-529-3211 

Violent Person Warrant Task Force update: 

 In 2023, the Violent Person Warrant Task Force ran 2,248 warrants, pursuing the most dangerous individuals responsible for violent crimes in Harris County. Led by Commissioner Garcia in May 2022 at Commissioners Court, the VIPER Task Force program launched in October 2022. Through its efforts, the VIPER Task Force not only cleared warrants, including those for murder, but also played a role in keeping the safety of Harris County residents.

Smart911 launches in Harris County:

The Harris County Sheriff's Office launched Smart911, a new emergency alert system.

This new system delivers information and potentially life-saving instructions for users and their families during critical situations. The Smart911 also empowers residents to create personalized safety profiles, equipping first responders with vital information in emergencies to better assist Harris County residents. Click here for more information or sign-up for free by visiting Smart911.com

This month, we celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of the Juneteenth Park Hike and Bike Trail project. The previous asphalt trail was replaced with an 8-foot concrete trail to make it safer to run, walk, or ride through the park.

In the previous Commissioners Court meetings, the following infrastructure items passed:

• North Shore Streetlights Project: This project includes around six miles of pedestrian-scale streetlights to enhance safety. This will soon illuminate ongoing sidewalk developments along key stretches in the North Shore area, including Woodforest Blvd from Normandy St to Beltway 8, Uvalde Rd from Wallisville Rd to Hollypark Dr, and Normandy St from Wallisville Rd to Greens Bayou.
• South Houston Avenue G. Promenade: This project is set to transform a beloved community space into a vibrant two-mile trail adorned with landscaping and pedestrian-scale solar lights, stretching from Texas to 14th Street.

Robert Mitchell

Pct. 2 Public works- Hardy Aldine Camp Supervisor

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?

A: I enjoy that I am often tasked with the responsibility of troubleshooting issues, and many believe and depend on me to make smart and good decisions. Back in 2008, Hurricane Ike left a footprint on our city that was unbelievable...READ MORE

Q: What icon in Black history inspires you the most?

A: George Washington Carver . He took his knowledge and persistence and made life better for all...READ MORE

In the last month, Commissioner Garcia led or voted in favor of the following items:

Climate Action Plan Update: Commissioners Court received a status on the Harris County Climate Action Plan (CAP), showcasing significant achievements in its first year of implementation. Key highlights included substantial annual operating savings, utility bill credits for demand response activities, and securing substantial grant funding for CAP initiatives. Precinct 2's contributions include the launch of an Electric Vehicle (EV) and EV charging pilot program and earning a Solsmart designation from the Department of Energy.

Hospital Violence Interruption Program: Harris County Commissioners Court passed an amendment to allow the expansion of the Hospital Violence Interruption Program to add additional zip codes to provide its services and broaden the eligibility criteria to include unhoused individuals. This initiative will further provide services who have been victims of aggravated assault with a focus on preventing future incidents.

Wellness on Wheels: Harris County Public Health is partnering with a local nonprofit called The Rose to provide mammograms and breast cancer awareness education to their Wellness on Wheels events in all 4 County Precincts. Precinct 2’s Wellness on Wheels event at Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center on 3/9.

Pay incentive for CDL: If you have certain Commercial Drivers License (CDL) certifications, you can earn more if you come work on Precinct 2’s Road and Bridge Team. Staff who already have a CDL or those who work to attain the certification will get a pay bump. Having a CDL helps keep our employees and residents safe.

Resolutions



Cindy Miller's retirement: On January 30, Commissioner Garcia extended a heartfelt congratulations to Cindy Miller on her well-deserved retirement from Precinct 2, where she worked as the Community Liaison for North Channel. Cindy's dedication, loyalty, and passion for her community have left a mark on both residents and employees of Precinct 2. When receiving the resolution, Cindy was surrounded by her family, coworkers, and leaders from various community organizations, all coming together to honor her impactful contributions to the community.

The Empty Shelter Project: Commissioner Garcia passed a resolution to recognize The Empty Shelter Project for addressing the overpopulation crisis with dogs and cats. TESP's commitment to provide free spay, neuter, and vaccination services in underserved neighborhoods yields tangible results, with over 14,305 spay and neuters conducted as of August 2023. Harris County pledges its support to TESP’s mission, aiming to prevent shelters overcrowding and ensure pets remain in loving homes through proactive measures.

Harris County officials assure METRO will get voters to polls

Houston startup with next-gen farming tech calls for crowdfunding as it plans to grow

Ship Channel Bridge nears milestone as work continues on tollway's southbound span

Valentine's Day at our community centers

Rodeo parade

Commissioner Adrian Garcia

in Washington D.C