Happy July 4th!

I hope you have a safe and happy Independence Day holiday! As you celebrate with your family, friends, and neighbors, please remember these tips:

• The use of fireworks is prohibited in the City of Houston. The fines are anywhere from $500 – $2000 for each individual firework.
• A Texas House Bill allows for the transportation of fireworks, however there are restrictions including where the fireworks are located inside the vehicle and if they are opened or unopened. See HB1813 for more information.
• Report all complaints regarding the illegal use of fireworks directly to the HPD’s non-emergency line at 713-884-3131. If you believe that there may be a fire and/or medical emergency related to the use of fireworks, dial 9-1-1 and request the HFD.
• Drive slowly! Many families and children play in the street on July 4th, so make sure you watch out for them as you drive.
• What goes up must come down. Incidents of celebratory gunfire increase on this holiday.
• If you see something, say something! If anything looks suspicious, please report it to HPD immediately.

Visit https://houstontx.gov/fire/safetyinfo/fireworks.html for more information.

This year Houstonians will celebrate more than three decades of July 4th music and fireworks on Buffalo Bayou in Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks. The city’s signature tribute to patriotism – CITGO Freedom Over Texas – returns with NEW live music acts and stunning fireworks, Thursday, July 4th from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Jake Owen – Headliner
Kellie Pickler – Special Guest

For more information, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/july4/

Independence Day Solid Waste Collection

Thursday, July 4, 2019 (Independence Day)
CITY HOLIDAY: There will be NO COLLECTION SERVICES today. All SWMD facilities including the Neighborhood Depositories/Recycling Center, Westpark Recycling Center and The Reuse Warehouse closed.

Friday, July 5, 2019
Thursday Garbage, Curbside Recycling, Yard Waste collected today. The Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Centers, Westpark Recycling Center and The Reuse Warehouse will re-open.

Saturday, July 6, 2019
Friday Garbage, Curbside Recycling, Yard Waste collected today. The Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Centers, Westpark Recycling Center and The Reuse Warehouse re-open.

Smuggling/Kidnapping Investigation

The Houston Police Department recently arrested five men accused of a smuggling/kidnapping operation in the 10400 block of Rockcrest Road in District A. These men are accused of holding 18 people, including two women, hostage. One woman was allegedly sexually assaulted for a period of 25 days.

Please watch out for your neighbors. The individuals were hiding in plain sight, so it is important to get to know your neighbors and report suspicious activity to Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Houston

Thank you to the Houston Police Department for their great work rescuing these individuals! Some of the funds used to aid in this investigation and arrest were from the District A service funds. Thank you to the constituents of District A, the taxpayers, for your support of this initiative.

Article: 18 victims found held against their will for labor, sex, HPD chief says

At the press conference with community leaders Ricardo Barnes (Spring Branch Family Development Center) and Victor Alvarez (Spring Branch Management District) and HPD NW Division Commander Francisco Fernandez.

Houston Housing Department Survey

The Houston Housing Department is developing five-year strategies that will guide approximately $250 million in housing and community development funding for programs and services that support low- and moderate-income Houstonians. Your input is essential to develop goals and prioritize actions that will best use Federal grant funding to meet community needs over the next five years. Learn more.

Take the Housing and Community Needs Survey (Español, Chinese, Vietnamese).