Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr announces the Municipal Court Amnesty Period begins TODAY, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and runs through April 30th. On Monday, March 7, 2022, the Pharr City Commission approved authorization for the Municipal Court of the City of Pharr to hold an amnesty period, during which time any failure to appear and warrant charges will be waived for any unadjudicated fines paid in full.
“We encourage anyone to take advantage of this opportunity to take care of any outstanding fines owed to the municipal court during this amnesty period so that additional fines do not accumulate,” said Pharr Municipal Court Judge Juan Villescas.
Municipal Court hours are from 8 am to 5 pm. For more information, contact 956-402-4690.
Deadline Approaching – Pharr EDC Foundation Scholarship Deadline is 5 pm on Monday, March 14, 2021
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr EDC Foundation, in partnership with the Pharr Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the City of Pharr, reminds students that the deadline to submit scholarship applications for 2021-2022 graduating Pharr students is approaching. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, March 14, 2022, by 5 pm.
“We are proud to be offering the Pharr EDC Foundation Scholarship once again to students in our Pharr community,” said Victor Perez, President of the Pharr EDC Foundation and President/CEO of the Pharr EDC. “There are many outstanding students in Pharr who are continuing their educational studies, but find themselves in need of financial assistance,” he added. “Our goal is to ensure that no student has to put their education on hold as they confront these challenges,” Perez continued.
Applications are available online at http://pharredc.com/[foundation]. Applications are available in English and Spanish. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, March 14, 2022, by 5 pm.
For more information about the application or should you have any questions, contact us at (956) 402-4332.
Pharr PD Unveils Innovative Policing Strategy, Core Values, and Social Contract Aimed to Foster Positive Community Relations
Pharr, Texas – A few months into his tenure leading the City of Pharr’s police department, Chief Andy Harvey’s priority has been to strategically lead the department’s force by example, modeling a unifying and respectful leadership style to unite the department into implementing systemic and sustainable positive change. With law enforcement across the country recently taking the spotlight in the public realm, leading discussions regarding social justice, criminal justice, and policing, Harvey’s approach aims to shift the paradigm of the relationship between law enforcement and the community by creating a culture of compassion among the city’s police force.
Earlier this week, the Pharr Police Department adopted and celebrated the launch of the department’s new policing strategy, core values, and a social contract that will serve as guiding principles for every decision made by Pharr law enforcement – from administration down to patrol units and community policing.
After months of strategic planning, discussing, and fine-tuning, the Pharr Police Department unveiled its newly-adopted mission, vision, core values, and social contract with the Pharr community.
The adopted core values comprise the department’s C.A.R.E. philosophy, will guide all aspects of individual and collective decisions made as representatives of the Pharr PD, and are as follows:
Compassion: The Pharr Police Department will create partnerships with our community and serve with respect and dignity.
Accountable: Develop community equity and mutual respect while promoting innovation, self-development, and community wellness. We shall enhance and protect the quality of life for all who live, work, or visit the City of Pharr.
Resilient: Develop strategies with stakeholders to address the challenges and demands of our community, while addressing the overall well-being of our officers.
Excellence: We aim for excellence in everything that we do. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct by setting the example and having the moral courage to defend the constitution and uphold the law.
“We know that in order to lift up a city up in the way we police, we must have a strong set of core values. Fairness, dignity, and respect must start from within as part of our guiding principles and culture. Our social contract holds ourselves accountable for our actions and helps us strive for excellence – going above and beyond – in everything we do.” – Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey
Pharr PD’s new mission statement reads, “The Pharr Police Department values the constitutional rights of all people, and will create collaborative relationships built on trust, which will reduce crime, fear, and enhance quality of life.”
The social contract adopted by the police department, the first of its kind in Texas and likely one of the first developed in anticipation of, in response to, and to prevent potential negative public perception of law enforcement agencies, represents the commitment that the department, command staff, officers, investigators, and support staff have to pledged to the community of Pharr, and reads as follows:
“The members of the City of Pharr Police Department agree to be professional, honorable, and supportive in their influences with each other and to our citizens by encouraging a positive, caring environment through valuing the constitutional rights of all people, and creating collaborative relationships built on trust, therefore, reducing crime, fear, and enhancing the quality of life.
The members of the City of Pharr Police Department agree:
To succeed in our mission through our core values: Compassion, Accountability, Resilience, and Excellence; and
To hold ourselves, and each other, accountable and give 100% to our mission; and
In the event of conflict we agree to address issues promptly, discreetly, and one-on-one. We will listen openly, be factual, give feedback, as we seek resolution. We agree to accept responsibility for our actions, be understanding of the other person’s concern, and show compassion for each other; and
To wok together with mutual respect, and if necessary, seek mediation through the chain of command.
The members of the City of Pharr Police Department pledge our support for this social contract and devote our efforts in our daily interactions with our service to the community.”
At the announcement of the new policing strategy and social contract, held on November 10, 2020, members of the Pharr City Commission were on hand to present a proclamation honoring the department’s efforts and recognizing Chief Harvey and the department for their efforts to address challenges and opportunities head-on by adopting this forward-thinking philosophy. Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Carrillo and Commissioner Daniel Chavez praised the department for rising to the occasion and setting an example to be a model law enforcement agency that will work to proactively address issues and concerns and meet them head-on with a positive attitude and core values that will remain at the forefront of every decision made.
“This is just another way that the City of Pharr is moving forward in a positive way. It takes courage to do what you do. The city of Pharr community can be happy to know that there are police officers with good hearts and good values to keep them safe.” – Commissioner Daniel Chavez
For more information regarding the Pharr Police Department’s new strategy, mission, vision, core values, and social contract, visit https://youtu.be/z_LodTWsUmw.
Redesigned Patch Unveiled as Part of Inaugural First Responders Festival FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is excited to unveil its newly redesigned police patch. The redesigned patch and logo includes a more modern look and feel, and is intended to capture the essence of the City of Pharr and the work that the police force does to serve and protect its citizens.
According to Pharr Police Chief Jose Luengo, the police patch is the identity, brand, and source of pride for officers and employees of the department. Patches are proudly sported on the police uniform. Over the years, there have been different versions of the patch, including elements such as the outline of Hidalgo County, the seal of the State of Texas, and an even earlier one only had the words “Pharr Police.” Previous versions of the Pharr Police Patch
The new patch was designed to incorporate certain elements that represented specific values and incorporated the seals of the State of Texas and the City of Pharr.
Elements include: -Oak Branch which represents strength -Olive Branch which represents peace -Lone Star to represent the Great State of Texas -City Seal maintains consistency with city identity and brand – Community, Progress, Learning, Pride New Police Patch
“We wanted a modernized look and feel for our new police patch,” said Chief Luengo. “Our community has grown tremendously over the years, and our police force has done such great work to ensure the safety and security of our Pharr families, while also instilling and fostering a strong sense of pride and enhanced community outreach and relations,” he continued.
“Wearing this badge of honor will continue to demonstrate to our Pharr citizens and families that we are here to serve to protect our communities through peace, strength, and with pride for our community and our state,” Luengo added. The new police patch was unveiled to coincide with Pharr’s inaugural First Responders Festival, which combines the former separate Pharr Night Out and Pharr Fire Fest events held by the City of Pharr. The First Responders Festival was created to celebrate and honor not only the work of Pharr police and fire staff, but also expanding its purpose to honor all first responders, including EMTs, telecommunications officers, and more. The Pharr First Responders Festival will be held TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm in Downtown Pharr.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
All media and the public are invited to attend. DETAILS What: Pharr First Responders Festival When: TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm Where: Downtown Pharr
There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Day than to cut the red ribbon to officially open the Pharr Recycling Center to Pharr residents, located on 1900 S. Cage. Together, we can keep Pharr looking Clean, Green and Beautiful! For more information on all of our recycling centers in Pharr contact our Public Works Departmet at 956-402-4350
