Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Acting Chief of Police Larry Satterwhite held a news conference Thursday afternoon following Hurricane Beryl’s aftermath and recovery process for the city.
Whitmire and Satterwhite updated the public on the numerous law enforcement agencies arriving in Houston Thursday to assist in Hurricane Beryl’s recovery efforts.
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At least 100 officers from major cities across Texas will work with Houston police and DPS to help patrol dark communities as CenterPoint works to restore thousands left without power since Monday’s hurricane.
Those officers will accompany local officers with crime and traffic enforcement over the next four days.
Whitmire said at least 1,400 traffic lights are still out and causing major problems throughout the city.
He said outside officers would help relieve HPD officers who’ve been working 12-hour shifts and also impacted by Hurricane Beryl and their families.
“This is a great program of collaboration providing public safety, and looking out for our first responders,” the mayor said. “So, I’m pleased to present this to Houstonians. We had you covered by working overtime from the day the storm arrived, they’ve worked around the clock all hands on deck under the direction of Chief Satterwhite I’m very pleased to let the public know public safety has been my highest priority, it is, has been, is and going forward, nothing is more important than safety.”
Chief Satterwhite said the 12-hour shifts will continue for officers but the additional support will help his department maintain its constant coverage.
Mayor Whitmire said public safety and restoring power are very high priorities for the city.