by media | Mar 31, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol and Pharr Police to Host Horse Patrol Graduation – Class 20
The City of Pharr Police Department and the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol will host a graduation ceremony for graduates of National Horse Patrol Certification – Class 20. The ceremony will be held at 11 am on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector located at 4400 S. Expressway 281 in Edinburg, Texas.
Media availability and photo opportunities will be available at the ceremony. Media must be in place no later than 10:45 a.m. Media kindly RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected] no later than close of business Wednesday, March 30, 2021.
Below is the media advisory from the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol that we are providing as a courtesy to our media contacts:
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol and Pharr Police
Horse Patrol Graduation – Class 20
Who: Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol and Pharr Police Department
Event: Media availability/photo opportunity of RGV Border Patrol Agents and Pharr Police Officers graduating from the United States Border Patrol Horse Patrol Program
Date: April 1, 2021
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Media must be in place no later than 10:45 a.m. Media kindly RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected] no later than close of business Wednesday, March 30, 2021.
Location: 4400 South Expressway 281, Edinburg, Texas 78542
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol will host a graduation ceremony for two Border Patrol Agents and four Pharr Police Department Officers who completed a joint-agency horse patrol certification. Class 20 is the second multi-agency class hosted by Customs and Border Protection. The collaboration is monumental for the City of Pharr Police Department. These officers are the first to be Nationally Horse Patrol Certified, since the creation of the Pharr Police Department in the early 1900’s.
Agents and officers endured a rigorous 4-week training program to successfully complete the certification course. The six graduates spent numerous hours in the classroom learning first-aid, feeding, housing, trailering, and how to properly care for the horses. As they advanced to on-the-job training, the group received instruction regarding field/river patrol, sign-cutting, riot/crowd control, and various job-related duties. The time spent with the horses allowed them to build a solid foundation and better understand the horse’s capabilities and limitations.
“Our new Pharr PD Mounted Unit will be very visible in our city. Our officers will be patrolling our neighborhoods and at many of our city events. I can’t wait for our community to meet them.” stated Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey. Harvey went on to say, “We can’t thank our Border Patrol enough for training our officers. We are blessed to have a great relationship with our federal partners.”
Please join us in recognizing and honoring the graduates and instructors of National Horse Patrol Certification – Class 20.
- BPA Manuel Garza Harlingen Border Patrol Station
- BPA Danny De La Rosa Brownsville Border Patrol Station
- SGT Max Longoria Pharr Police Department
- Officer Gabriel Lopez Pharr Police Department
- Officer Luis Cardoza Pharr Police Department
- Officer Irving Segura Pharr Police Department
by media | Mar 29, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
Pharr Police to Hold BolaWrap Product Demonstration TOMORROW, Tuesday, 3/30 @ 10am
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department invites media representatives to attend a live demonstration of the BolaWrap remote restraint product, a new law enforcement product. The demonstration will be held at 10 am TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the Pharr Police Department (1900 S. Cage Blvd.) in Pharr.
According to the product’s website, the BolaWrap is a hand-held remote restraint device that discharges an eight-foot bola style Kevlar tether at 513 feet per second to entangle an individual at a range of 10 to 25 feet. Like “remote handcuffs,” the BolaWrap can safely & humanely restrain resisting subjects from a distance without relying on pain compliance tools. This less-lethal device is designed to provide the officer with another tool to control subjects institutions of mental health crisis and does not use pain for compliance.
“Using technology to our advantage is a must for today’s policing,” said Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey. “When officers have more options available to them, they can make better decisions, especially when it comes to using force. Anything that can potentially make both officers and our citizens safer is definitely worth considering,” Harvey added.
Media is invited to attend and participate in the product demonstration.
by media | Mar 27, 2021 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
Pharr Officials Host Senators John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, and Congressional Delegation at Pharr Bridge
Pharr, Texas – City officials here today welcomed U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with 19 key United States senators from across the country, to get a firsthand view of Pharr’s International Bridge, which recently received a Presidential Permit amendment approved by the White House for the second span expansion of the bridge. This visit marks the first time in Pharr’s history that so many federal legislators visited Pharr at once, indicating the interest and awareness that has been brought to our area with the city emerging as a distinct leader in international trade. The senators were in South Texas for a congressional delegation (CoDel) visit, touring cities along the border to discuss issues related to immigration and international trade. The delegation received briefings from local city Mayors, law enforcement officials, and local organizations. While much national attention has recently focused on issues related to immigration along the border, local leaders wanted to emphasize to the federal legislators in attendance that this remains an important aspect of border issues, international trade and commerce along the southern border continues to thrive and drive the local, state, and national economy. In Pharr, the senators were given an overview of the increase in international trade and commerce along the southern border, especially due to programs spearheaded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Pharr.
“As Mayor of Pharr, we are proud to have our nation’s leaders visit our community to get a first-hand look at how our area is directly impacted by policy decisions that are made in Washington, D.C. and understand the vital impact they have on the rest of the nation,” said Hernandez. “Pharr has been fortunate to reap the benefits of federal legislation and projects that have helped to improve infrastructure at our bridge,” he continued.
Members received an update on current bridge infrastructure projects in Pharr, including several projects under the Donations Acceptance Program, which was authorized by Section 559 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 and allows CBP in conjunction with the General Services Administration (GSA), to accept donations from private sector and government entities for port of entry construction, alterations, operations and maintenance activities. The projects are part of Pharr’s 5-Year Master Plan to increase capacity, reduce border wait times, and support local and regional trade industries.
“We are proud to say that these projects are in the construction phase in just 5 years which highlights the city’s effort to remain proactive in identifying funding mechanisms,” said Hernandez.
Through this program, the city is investing $40 million in port infrastructure projects – additional commercial entry and exit lanes including booths which will help alleviate traffic and expedite crossings. The city aggressively pursued and secured state funding in the amount of $20 million with a city match of another $20 million.
Mayor Hernandez thanked Senators Cornyn and Cruz for their support in assisting with the successful expansion and funding that the Pharr Bridge has received to enhance operations, expand international trade, and continue to plan for future growth.
“As always, we are pleased to have our Congressional leaders visit the Rio Grande Valley to see the amazing work being executed by each of our community partners and the expansions we are making on our ports of entry, we look forward to continue having have the ears and the attention of our federal representatives and their colleagues as they understand the increasing need for funding for trade, transportation, education, and other initiatives for our area,” Hernandez ended.
Senators visiting the area on the CoDel included:
Honorable John Barrasso, Wyoming
Honorable Mike Braun, Indiana
Honorable Susan Collins, Maine
Honorable John Cornyn, Texas
Honorable Tom Cotton, Arkansas
Honorable Ted Cruz, Texas
Honorable Steve Daines, Montana
Honorable Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
Honorable Chuck Grassley, Iowa
Honorable John Hoeven, North Dakota
Honorable Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Honorable Ron Johnson, Wisconsin
Honorable John Kennedy, Louisiana
Honorable James Lankford, Oklahoma
Honorable Mike Lee, Utah
Honorable Dan Sullivan, Alaska
Honorable John Thune, South Dakota
Honorable Thom Tillis, North Carolina
Honorable Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
by media | Mar 23, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
Pharr Launches Water Utility Assistance Program for Residents with Delinquent Water Bills
The City of Pharr and the Office of Grants Management and Community Development is pleased to announce that the city has been awarded additional CARES Act funding for their Emergency Utility Assistance Program to help residents affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Pharr is utilizing the CARES Act funds to launch a Water Utility Assistance Program to assist residents with delinquent water bills (up to $500 in eligible assistance is available).
Applications will be available starting on Monday, April 5, 2021, at Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage Boulevard), 2nd floor. Applications will be accepted between the business hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The grant assistance will only cover the use of water, applicants will be responsible for the brush/sanitation/sewer/paving assessment fees and taxes. Only residents with delinquent water bills are eligible to apply!
Applicants must bring the following when applying for the program: driver’s license, 6 months of bank statements, 2019 Tax Return, and the last 3 months of their payroll check stubs.
“We understand the challenges that the pandemic has raised for families in our area and as soon as we knew CARES Act funding was available to our city, the utility assistance program was something we wanted to do,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “This additional assistance will help provide some relief to our residents who currently find themselves with delinquent water bills,” added Hernandez.
For more information about the program, please contact the City of Pharr Grants Management & Community Development office at (956) 402-4190.
by media | Mar 23, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
Pharr EDC Foundation Announces Scholarship Program for Pharr Students
The Pharr EDC Foundation, in partnership with the Pharr Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the City of Pharr, is proud to announce that scholarship applications are now available for Pharr students.
The Pharr EDC Foundation will award a total of 150 scholarships, each at $2,000 ($1,000 per semester) for one academic year. Applications are available online at http://pharredc.com/foundation or can be picked up at the Pharr EDC (1215 S. Cage Blvd) in Pharr Monday through Friday between 8 am – 5 pm. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, April 12, 2021, by 5 pm.
“We are excited to open the Pharr EDC Foundation Scholarship to our Pharr community,” said Victor Perez, President of the Pharr EDC Foundation and Executive Director 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.
The Scholarship Fund of the Pharr EDC Foundation was created for residents of the City of Pharr who are enrolling in a qualifying post-secondary institution. In order to apply for the Pharr EDC Foundation Scholarship, a candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Reside in the City of Pharr
- Be a current high school student graduating during the 2020-2021 school year
- Have maintained a grade point average of at least 2.5
- Submit completed application, essay/personal statement, and required documents no later than April 12, 2021
Completed applications should be submitted to [email protected].
An Advisory Committee composed of Foundation Board Members will review the applications and recommend recipients to the full Foundation Board of Directors. The Pharr EDC Foundation shall notify the chosen scholarship recipient(s) of its decision. All scholarship checks will be processed in a timely manner. Scholarship awards can be used for tuition, room & board, books, or other supplies.
The Pharr EDC Foundation is committed to supporting Pharr students’ achieve their educational and career dreams by helping them pay for college at all levels, whether it is for a trade or technical degree or a four-year university.
For more information about the application or should you have any questions, please contact Karina Lopez, Economic Development Manager at (956) 402-4332 or email [email protected].
by media | Mar 11, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
City of Pharr to Host Grand Opening of the First Floor of City Hall on Friday, 3/12 @ 11:30 am
The City of Pharr will host a Grand Opening of the First Floor of City Hall, unveiling the newly remodeled space. The event will take place at 11:30 am on Friday, March 12, 2021, at Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage Blvd).
“We are proud to unveil our newly remodeled First Floor of Pharr City Hall,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “There are many new features and amenities which will assist in providing our Pharr citizens enhanced services when they visit the facility,” he added.
City departments that will be housed on the first floor include Development Services and Engineering.
The renovations include an updated facade to the interior of the facility along with more accessible and enhanced areas for citizens, employees, and visitors to enjoy. A brand new feature includes the opening of Park Bench Deli, which will serve as a delicious meal option for employees and visitors.
Joining us at the event as our special guest is Catherine DiGrazia, a talented singer, Pharr native, and PSJA North Early College High School Senior, who will be performing several Opera songs throughout the event.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Grand Opening of First Floor of Pharr City Hall
WHEN: Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11:30 am
WHERE: First Floor of Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577
