South Texas College welcomed the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) to its Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence Oct. 10. Secret Service Social Science Research Specialist Steven Driscoll (above) presented a four-hour course on research, training, and consultation on threat assessment and the prevention of targeted violence.
Pharr, TX (Oct. 16, 2019) – A recent training on identifying potential threats within schools has proved to be invaluable, especially for law enforcement within local ISDs, according to organizers of a National Threat Assessment Center Presentation Oct. 10.
The South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) hosted more than 100 law enforcement officers and representatives from various agencies, cities and ISDs who attended a four-hour course provided by personnel from the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), a component of the U.S. Secret Service.
NTAC specializes in research, training, and consultation on threat assessment and the prevention of targeted violence. It offered an intensive look into mitigating threats for those in attendance.
Secret Service Special Agent in Charge at the San Antonio Field Office Paul Duran and Resident Agent in Charge at McAllen’s Secret Service office Brian Gibson helped coordinate the presentation. Pharr mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez gave opening remarks to attendees.
“We want to make sure we have this type of education available to the entire Rio Grande Valley,” said Mayor Hernandez. “We believe strongly in law enforcement, and we believe strongly that at the core of our great democracy is faith. We have faith in our law enforcement training, and we know you put your life at risk every single day.
“We are so grateful for what you do, and the City of Pharr will always be here to help any and all law enforcement as well as this campus,” he said.
NTAC’s presentation at RCPSE addressed topics including identifying possible potential threats, investigating and gathering information, assessing poses of threats or violence, developing risk management strategies and interventions, and interactive case studies.
The training was provided free of charge, and was open to school resource officers, police investigators, school administrators, school counselors, school psychologists or anyone else potentially involved in a risk detection/management position.
“Threat assessment is something that is in the DNA of the Secret Service, it’s something that every agent, office, and analyst does,” said Secret Service Social Science Research Specialist Steven Driscoll. “This program is something we have been doing for decades, instituting best practices at school districts.”
Despite extensive research on the subject, there remains no accurate “profile” of students who engaged in targeted school violence, according to NTAC.
Between 2015 and 2016, there were 827,030 incidents of crime in school ranging from simple assaults to serious violent incidents nationwide, according to NTAC citing figures from U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Acting RCPSE campus administrator Sgt. Jose Moroles expressed that the training was invaluable, especially for law enforcement within schools.
“Some of the training dealt with identifying potential threats and students who may be exhibiting concerning behaviors, as well as investigating and gathering information on the background and behaviors of concerning students,” Moroles said. “The course was extremely useful for threat assessment training for school officials.”
STC’s RCPSE provides training for local, county, state and federal professionals in law enforcement, public safety, fire science, and homeland security along the US/Mexico border.
STC is dedicated to providing excellence in educational programs and accessibility to a diverse population. The RCPSE campus specializes in continuous opportunities for professional growth and access to training. The center also serves to strengthen public safety, and benefit those who make public service a career.
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, October 7, 2019, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
City Proclaims October 23 – 31 as Red Ribbon Week
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and City Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing October 23-31, 2019 as Red Ribbon Week. Pharr joins the City of San Juan, City of Alamo, PSJA ISD, Rio Grande Valley Council, INC., and Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas in observing the national drug-free week initiative. The Red Ribbon Campaign was established by Congress in 1988 to promote this belief and encourage a drug-free lifestyle and involvement in drug prevention efforts in commemoration of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent, who was murdered in the line of duty and has come to represent the belief that one person CAN make a difference. The city calls upon all citizens of Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo to participate in year-round drug-free activities.
City Approves MOU with Texas Parks and Wildlife for $5 million Grant for the Multi-Specialty Facility
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and Pharr City Commissioners approved an MOU with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for a $5 million grant for the development of the Multi-Specialty Facility in the City of Pharr. The 2020-2021 General Appropriations Act, enacted by the 86th Texas Legislature (House Bill 1), included Rider 37 within the appropriations to TPWD, which appropriated from General Revenue, $5,000,000 (the Funds) in fiscal year 2020 for the purpose of making a grant to the City.
Commission Approves Ordinance Amending Fees for City Rental Facilities
Pharr Commissioners approved an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. O-2018-37 (rental of city facilities). The new ordinance establishes a new category (Non-commercial / Private) under Class I of rental fees and shall apply to any and all activities sponsored by private entities to which admission might be restricted, but to which an admission fee will not be charged and profit-making is not intended. These activities may include weddings, quinceañeras, receptions, birthday parties, and company banquets, etc. Changes to the ordinance have been made to reflect the recent renovations to the Civic Center which now has more capacity and boasts one Large Hall with rental fees starting at $400 and ranging to $2,000, one Small Hall ranging from $50 to $100, Conference Room A ranging from $40 to $60, and Conference Room B ranging from $30 to $40. All prices depend on the class (Class I Commercial / Profit-making or Class II Non-Commercial/non-profit-making) and the time of the event. Other changes made to the ordinance include a minimum requirement of two certified City of Pharr Police Officers to be contracted by the renter and allowing Class I reservations to be made up to one year in advance of the reserved date.
Commission Approves Resolution in Support of Proposition 8
Commissioners approved a resolution in support of Proposition 8. House Joint Resolution 4 proposes a constitutional amendment, also known as Proposition 8 (“Prop. 8”), allowing for the creation of the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) that would authorize $793 million in flood-control projects in the State of Texas. The Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) is a statewide, cooperative effort for regional flood planning, mitigation, and infrastructure projects to make Texas “future-proof.” The entire State of Texas stands to benefit from the proposed FIF, which would help alleviate flooding, improve drainage infrastructure, and provide for the state’s first-ever flood infrastructure fund. “Our state and our communities stand to greatly benefit from this fund,” said Mayor Hernandez. “We want to remind citizens that this is money that will be drawn down from the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” and will not have an impact on our taxes, grants, or contributions as a community,” he continued. “We all stand to gain from this and it behooves to help ourselves, our city, and our state in support of Proposition 8.”
Commissioners Approve Petition to Contract Pharr’s Election with the Hidalgo County Elections Department
Commissioners approved the petition to contract Pharr’s election with the Hidalgo County Elections Department. On September 11, 2019, the City of Pharr received a Petition for Election Services Contract with Hidalgo County signed by 59 individuals. The petition has been reviewed by the City Clerk and City Attorney and was forwarded to the Hidalgo County Elections Administrator to verify the names on the petition as requested by voters residing in the city of Pharr. Per Section 31.092, the City of Pharr has requested an election services contract with the County Elections Administrator to conduct a uniform/general Election to be held in 2020.
Traditional Cutting of the Fruit (l to r) – Texas State Representative Sergio Muñoz, Jr., Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., Consul de Mexico in McAllen Socorro Guadalupe Jorge Cholula, Chairman of the Pharr International Bridge Board Edgar Delgadillo, and Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan.
Pharr, Texas – Surrounded by brightly displayed fresh fruits and vegetables, the City of Pharr kicked-off the start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season at the Pharr International Bridge alongside dignitaries and produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
“Pharr takes great pride in being the largest land port of entry for fruits and vegetables,” remarked Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. at the start of the event. “We have invested in our bridge infrastructure and technology, continue to increase our produce imports, improve crossings and wait times of commercial vehicles and have worked closely with our partners at the state and federal levels to ensure that our port of entry continues to expand capacity and meet the demands of our growing economy,” he continued. “Produce plays an integral role in our regional and international economy, and here in Pharr we are proud to be the gateway for these products as they enter into the United States and get distributed to the rest of the nation,” he added.
The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation, surpassing Nogales, Arizona as the leading port of entry for Mexican produce and goods. Currently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 60% of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.
“The Pharr International Bridge has forged strong partnerships on both sides of the border with distributors, growers, and importers, to ensure that we are meeting the demands of the industry,” said Pharr Bridge Director Luiz Bazan. “Although we experienced a few rough months during the threatened closing of the border, we came up with innovative schedules for our commercial trucks which paid off,” he continued. “Our figures show that we have already exceeded the number of trucks and produce that entered through Pharr this year compared to the same period last year,” added Bazan. “Pharr continues to invest, plan, and work together with all our partners to expand our opportunities.”
The U.S. has consistently remained Mexico’s No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods and Pharr’s ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity.
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr International Bridge will host a special celebration to kick-off the start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season and will celebrate the occasion alongside produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event will take place at 10 am, Thursday, October 10th, 2019, at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577).
“Pharr continues to remain the leader as the port with the largest amount of produce entering the United States,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our Pharr International Bridge director, board, and staff have done a wonderful job working with all our partners to continue to expand growth and access through our bridge and we look forward to another record-setting season,” he added.
Pharr city officials, as well as special guest State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, among other notable representatives from the produce industry on both sides of the border, are scheduled to attend the event.
The U.S. has consistently remained Mexico’s No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods and Pharr’s ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity. The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation, surpassing Nogales, Arizona as the leading port of entry for Mexican produce and goods. Currently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 60% of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr to Host Celebration to Kick-Off the Start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 10 am
WHERE: The Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
Officials Ceremoniously Turn the Dirt for Groundbreaking (l to r): Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of Pharr, Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV, Dr. John H. Krouse, UTRGV School of Medicine Dean, Eleazar Guajardo, Pharr City Commissioner, Carlos G. Villegas, Jr., PSJA ISD School Board Member, Sergio Munoz, Jr., Texas State Representative (D-36), Victor Perez, Pharr EDC Director and PSJA ISD School Board Member, and Jesus “Jesse” Vela, Jr., PSJA ISD School Board Member.
Pharr, Texas – Amid a crowd of enthusiastic swimming athletes, community members, and elected officials, the City of Pharr broke ground on an exciting new project, the Pharr Natatorium, a facility that will forever change the city’s ever-growing landscape. The Pharr Natatorium is a years-in-the-making project in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District that will soon add to the vibrancy and hub of the city.
“My son is an avid swimmer and my wife and I have had the privilege of cheering him on during many competitions,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “I have seen the sport grow not only amongst the students and children of Pharr but throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” he added.
As he and other city leaders began discussing the idea, they began thinking of potential partners that would also benefit from this facility and over several years the project began taking shape. Pharr continues to lead the way in collaborative efforts and innovative partnerships with local educational institutions and has proudly partnered with UTRGV and PSJA ISD to bring this Natatorium to fruition while benefiting student-athletes and academics alike.
UTRGV plans to construct a Sports Medicine Institute adjacent to the facility wherein medical students will have the opportunity to practice, learn, and work with the community to provide sports medicine therapy and care. Additionally, the Natatorium will be used by PSJA ISD athletes for swimming practices and competitions.
The facility will feature an Olympic-size swimming pool, diving facilities, and spectator seating, among many other amenities.
“I am proud of the teamwork and efforts we have all contributed as a collective group while working to make the Natatorium a reality,” Hernandez added. “I am especially proud of the legacy our city leadership is creating for our future students, families, athletes, and medical students,” he continued. “Pharr is transitioning into an educational hub, providing more opportunities than ever to our community and working with our many local institutions and partners to foster a college-going culture and unlimited possibilities for our students here in the Rio Grande Valley,” he said.
Pictured are (l to r): Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV, Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of Pharr, and Dr. John H. Krouse, UTRGV School of Medicine Dean.
