The Carter Chronicles: October, 2026

Friends,

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; we remember those we have lost, stand with those who have survived and most importantly we must continue to ask what more we can do to prevent the next tragedy.

Here in Harris County, the answer cannot be nothing.

The Texas Council on Family Violence’s 2025 Honoring Texas Victims report tells us why. Last year, 160 Texans were killed by an intimate partner. Twenty-six of those lives were lost right here in Harris County—the highest number of any county in our state. Those 26 were not statistics. They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, friends and neighbors whose lives mattered.

Statewide, 136 women and 24 men were killed by a current or former intimate partner or stalker. And the devastation reaches far beyond the victim: 128 minor children and 95 adult children lost a parent as a result of these homicides. Another 15 children, family members, friends or bystanders were killed in connection with these cases.

Folks, we cannot look at numbers like these and simply shake our heads.

Family violence is not a family matter; it is not a domestic matter. It is a public safety issue, a community issue and a Texas issue.

I believe we must look out for our neighbors. We don't wait until tragedy makes the news before we decide to care. And we certainly don't accept that these deaths are inevitable.

They are not.

There are warning signs. There are opportunities to intervene. There are survivors who need somewhere safe to go. There are advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, healthcare professionals, churches and community organizations doing the hard work every single day.

And there are things each of us can do.

That is why my office continues our “I’m OK. Are You OK?” Initiative. Sometimes a simple question opens a door. Sometimes checking in is the first step toward safety. Checking in saves lives.

This month, I ask you to pay attention. Check on your friend. Check on your neighbor. Check on the person who may not have the words or the courage to say, “I need help!”

When it comes to domestic violence, we must do better and we must refuse to look the other way.

Onward and upward,

Click here or scan the QR code to RSVP and be a part of the conversation.

RESILIENCE COMMITTEE

Join us for our next meeting:

October 15 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall

901 Bagby, 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77002

Presentation by:

Michelle Dobbins

Director, Resilience & Recovery Divison

“Building Long-Term Stability for Our Creative Community”

To learn more about Resilience Committee meetings, click here.

OUT AND ABOUT

National Day of Service & Remembrance

Twenty-five years later, Houston still remembers—and still shows up. Council Member Carter joined Houstonians at the Houston National Cemetery for the National Day of Service & Remembrance, honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11 while recognizing our military members, veterans, first responders, and the families who have stood beside them.

Remembrance was only part of the day. Alongside JustServe Greater Houston, Carry The Load, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Texas Veterans Commission, the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods, and Houston’s police and fire departments, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to care for and beautify the cemetery grounds—turning reflection into service.

The day offered a simple reminder of what Houston does so well: remember together, serve together, and never forget.

Honoring Victims and Standing With Survivors

Council Member Carter joined Crime Stoppers of Houston for its National Day of Remembrance, an evening dedicated to honoring the lives of those lost to violence and recognizing the families and loved ones who continue to carry their memory. The gathering provided a space for remembrance, reflection and support while bringing together survivors and those who work alongside victims and their families.

Representatives from the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office were among those participating, along with crime victim advocate April Aguirre and other community advocates. Through personal stories and the recognition of victims, the evening served as a reminder that behind every life lost is a family forever changed.

My Fall Tour Continues Across Houston

Council Member Carter’s Fall Tour kept her moving across Houston throughout September, with stops spanning communities from Kingwood to Southwest Houston. In Kingwood, she stopped by Council Member Fred Flickinger’s District E Town Hall to hear what was on residents’ minds and catch up on issues affecting the community. She also spent time with residents at Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood #52 and HPD’s North PIP meeting, where neighborhood concerns and public safety were part of the conversation.

Visits with the East End District and Southwest Management District provided even more opportunities to listen, answer questions, and share what’s happening at City Hall. Throughout the Fall Tour, Council Member Carter provided updates on several of her priorities, including the work underway at 419 Emancipation, Houston’s response to homelessness, and her continued focus on domestic violence awareness. The Fall Tour will continue through October as Council Member Carter visits six more stops across the city.

Click here to see Council Member Carter's upcoming Fall Tour dates.

Celebrating Women in Government

Women leading, learning, and connecting—that was the focus of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Women in Government Reception in September. Council Member Carter attended the event with women working across government, public policy, and the Houston business community for an evening centered on building relationships and staying engaged on the issues shaping our region.

Alongside colleagues from City Hall, including Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck, At-Large Council Member Sallie Alcorn, and District G Council Member Mary Nan Huffman, the reception offered a chance to exchange ideas and strengthen the relationships that help move Houston forward.

Serving Houston, One Neighbor at a Time

Some of Houston’s most meaningful work happens quietly, every day. Council Member Carter spent time behind the scenes with two organizations doing just that—Mission Centers of Houston and Houston Furniture Bank—to see firsthand how they are helping Houstonians through difficult seasons and toward greater stability.

At Mission Centers of Houston, faith and service come together through programs reaching children, seniors, families, and people experiencing homelessness. Council Member Carter saw how staff and volunteers are meeting people where they are with both practical resources and a helping hand.

Her visit to Houston Furniture Bank highlighted another piece of that journey: helping families turn an empty space into a home. Through donated furnishings, its No Kids on the Floor initiative and partnerships serving families rebuilding after homelessness, domestic violence, and other hardships, is giving furniture a second life—and many Houston families a fresh start.

Putting a Face to Homelessness

Behind every conversation about homelessness is a real person with a real story. Council Member Carter joined HomeAid Houston for its Room to Bloom HALO Luncheon, an afternoon that brought those stories to the forefront and highlighted the people and organizations helping Houstonians find a path toward stability.

HomeAid Houston works alongside the homebuilding community and nonprofit partners to build and improve spaces for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, helping organizations stretch their resources and serve even more people. Through firsthand stories and conversations, the luncheon put a face to an issue that can too easily become a statistic.

Houston Stands with Our Veterans

Council Member Carter visited veterans and their families for the 2026 Houston Stand Down, where Career Gear Greater Houston and the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs helped connect those who served with resources, opportunities, and support for life after military service. Career Gear has a history of providing veterans with employment preparation, professional attire, career-transition assistance, and other tools for entering the civilian workforce.

The event brought help together under one roof, including VA benefits and claims assistance, employment and housing services, legal assistance, health and wellness resources, education and training, clothing and personal care, and community resources. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Houston Stand Down was a fitting reminder that thanking our veterans for their service also means making sure they have somewhere to turn when they come home.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Houston Council Member Twila Carter

At-Large, Position 3

Statement of Support for HPD’s Continued Use of FLOCK Safety Cameras

I support the Houston Police Department's continued use of Flock Safety cameras as a vital public safety tool because they have helped recover millions of dollars in stolen vehicles and solved numerous serious crimes. It significantly helps the public when they are harmed or become victims of crime. The sad reality is that officers often have few or no leads to solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles (sometimes with children in the vehicle), locate suspects, and protect the public. Since HPD began its partnership with Flock in 2021, the technology has been instrumental in investigating and prosecuting burglaries, kidnappings, homicides, organized retail theft, juggings, robberies, and other serious crimes. I have spoken with HPD detectives and leaders who say that in nearly all vehicle-related robberies and homicides, Flock Safety cameras played a key role in locating suspects, solving crimes, and delivering justice. The cameras have cut crime in our city and many others. One officer told me it is the best crime-fighting tool in his three decades of policing. Just recently, the FLOCK Safety Cameras were pivotal in capturing the suspect in a road rage shooting that took the life of a 5-year-old child.

Still, I understand the concerns raised about privacy and the potential misuse of this technology. Any law enforcement tool this powerful must come with strong safeguards, clear policies, transparency, and accountability for those who have access to it. But one does not hold the police "accountable" by making criminals less accountable, which is the inevitable result if we were to cease Flock Safety camera usage.

As a City Council Member, I demand strict auditing to ensure a true criminal predicate exists before any officer accesses the database and that reason must be documented. FLOCK Safety has recently announced additional protections, including reducing its default data-retention period, requiring case codes to better document why searches are being conducted, requiring enhanced auditing tools mandatory to identify potentially improper searches, and giving local law enforcement agencies greater control over how their data is shared. These steps are essential to maintain public trust and prevent misuse of data.

It is also important to be clear about how HPD handles access to this technology. HPD does not provide U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to its Flock Safety camera network or data. HPD uses the cameras strictly as a public safety and investigative tool to identify vehicles connected to criminal activity, locate suspects, recover stolen vehicles, and help officers solve crimes. These safeguards are meaningful, but strong technology policies must also be paired with strong departmental oversight. Appropriate safeguards are necessary to prevent abuse, and HPD should ensure that every search is tied to a legitimate law enforcement purpose, that access is appropriately limited and audited, and that any misuse results in accountability.

Flock cameras are invaluable for investigative leads and have modernized police response much like DNA and fingerprints did decades ago. And most crucially, they cut officers' response times exponentially. This not only helps solve property crimes but saves lives. We cannot remove such a critical crime-fighting tool because of the possibility of misuse. Instead, we should require stringent safeguards to prevent misuse while allowing HPD to keep Houstonians safe.

Public safety and individual privacy do not have to be competing priorities. With strong policies, meaningful oversight, and clear accountability, I believe we can protect both.

$50 Million to Strengthen Houston’s Power Grid

Houston’s power grid is getting a boost. The U.S. Department of Energy and CenterPoint Energy announced a federal grant investment of $50 million to bring new technology to our region’s electric transmission system. U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Catherine Jereza shared details of the investment, and Council Member Carter also had an opportunity to visit with State Representative Senfronia Thompson during the announcement.

The investment will support Project TALON, which will deploy advanced grid technology at CenterPoint’s King Substation in northeast Harris County—designed to help the existing transmission system carry more power, respond more effectively to changing electricity demands, and improve reliability and resilience as the Houston region continues to grow. CenterPoint also expects the project to support more than 500 local construction and installation jobs.

Click here to read the full CenterPoint Energy DOE Announcement.

Let’s Play Houston: 25 Parks, One Big Investment

Council Member Carter joined Mayor John Whitmire, the Houston Parks Board, and Houston Parks and Recreation Department at Lawrence Park as the city celebrated a major milestone for Let’s Play Houston, a nearly $60 million public-private initiative bringing improvements to 25 neighborhood parks across all 11 council districts.

The Lawrence Park groundbreaking is among the first parks moving into construction, with improvements planned for its playground, walking paths, fitness areas, seating, and connections to the MKT Trail. The bigger picture stretches citywide: more than 180 parks were evaluated to identify those most in need of investment, with community input helping shape what comes next.

With 25 neighborhood parks receiving new investment, Let’s Play Houston is putting green space—and the communities that enjoy it—front and center. Also in attendance were Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin, U.S. Representative Christian Menefee, State Representative Armando Walle, and fellow Council Members Sallie Alcorn, Julian Ramirez, Willie Davis, and Joe Panzarella.

Click here to learn more about all 25 parks included in this initiative.

A New Tradition for Humble ISD

Council Member Carter joined education, business, and community leaders to hear about Humble ISD’s progress and what’s ahead for students and families. Among the highlights, the district reported improving from a C to a B in the state accountability ratings, with the number of campuses earning an A or B growing from 20 to 32.

Presented by the Humble ISD Education Foundation, the program also put students and educators front and center while highlighting academics, school safety, construction, and community partnerships. Council Member Carter enjoyed connecting with representatives from Humble Police Department, Kingwood High School, Atascocita High School, Humble High School, Kingwood Lions Club, and local business partners including Joiner Architects, Sullivan’s Truck, Auto & Collision, and Satterfield & Pontikes Construction.

Our Ports: An Economic Engine for Houston

Houston’s economy doesn’t stop at the city limits—and neither does the impact of our ports. Council Member Carter attended the 5th Annual State of the Ports luncheon, bringing together leaders from Port Houston, Port Freeport, the Port of Galveston, and the Port of Texas City for a look at the infrastructure, investments, and opportunities shaping one of the nation’s most important maritime regions.

Hosted by the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership (BayTran) in partnership with the Greater Houston Port Bureau, the conversation highlighted everything from growing cargo and infrastructure needs to the jobs and economic activity tied to our ports. Activity along the Houston Ship Channel alone supports an estimated 3.5 million jobs nationwide and nearly $1 trillion in economic impact—a reminder that what happens along our waterfront reaches far beyond it. For Houston, strong ports mean jobs, commerce, and an economy that keeps moving.

What Homeowners Should Know About New Flood Maps

Houston’s flood maps are getting their first countywide update since 2007—and Council Member Carter wanted to know what that could mean for residents. She stopped by the FEMA Proposed Flood Insurance Maps Informational Meeting, organized by Council Member Amy Peck and State Representative Lacey Hull, where the Harris County Flood Control District, Houston Public Works, and Houston Permitting Center helped residents better understand the proposed changes.

The maps use newer rainfall data, updated terrain information, and improved modeling to provide a more detailed picture of flood risk across Harris County. For homeowners, a new flood designation could eventually affect flood insurance requirements and how a property’s flood risk is understood. The maps are still in draft form and are not yet being used for regulatory or insurance decisions, but residents can already explore the proposed information through Harris County’s MAAPnext Navigator. And one reminder worth keeping in mind: living outside a mapped floodplain does not mean a home is free from flood risk.

Want to see what the proposed maps could mean for your property? Visit www.maapnext.org to search your address and explore the latest flood-risk information.

COUNCIL MATTERS

Houston City Council approved several agenda items in September focused on public safety, firefighter protection, homelessness, and investments in essential City services. Below are a few highlights:

First Responders 1st – $1.53M approved for protective hoods that shield HFD firefighters from heat and harmful contaminants.
Reducing Flooding for you - the great State of Texas stepped up with $5M to upgrade drainage and detention in the Spring Branch area.
Supporting those who keep us safe - $1.29M for much needed body armor and protective equipment for our HPD.
Processes Matter - $20.4M authorized to tackle permitting and inspection backlogs
Helping Houstonians Get Back on Their Feet - $667K for shelter, recovery, and supportive services for those experiencing homelessness.
Seniors Matter - approved grant funding from Area Agency on Aging providing resources to help keep our senior citizens healthy - including dental, hearing, and caregiver services - as well as emergency response, prescriptions, respite care, and meal delivery.

From supporting Houston’s first responders to assisting our seniors, these actions represent continued work to strengthen City services and improve quality of life for Houstonians.

HOUSTON HAPPENINGS

Scan the QR code or click here to join the Carter Ambassadors interest list.

GED Preparation Classes:

Prepare for the GED in a supportive, in-person learning environment with hands-on instruction in math, science, social studies and language arts. Participants also receive individualized tutoring, practice tests and access to learning tools, with a free official GED test voucher available to students who complete the program.

Date: Wednesday, October 14

Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Location: McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library

Open Lab: Basic Computer Assistance

Need a little help with your computer? Stop by for personalized, one-on-one assistance with computer questions, software issues, learning new programs and other basic technology needs. Whether you're dealing with software glitches or want to learn more, we’re here to support you.

Date: Thursday, October 22

Time: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Location: Moody Neighborhood Library

For more Houston Public Library events in October, click here.