by media | Apr 7, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News, Police News
Pharr Police Department Makes History with First Nationally Horse Patrol Certified Officers in the RGV
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is proud to announce that four of its officers have graduated from a four-week joint-agency National Horse Patrol Certification program through the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sector. Graduates of the program are Sgt. Max Longoria, officer Luis Cardoza, officer Gabriel Lopez, and officer Irving Segura, as well as two Border Patrol agents.
This is a history-making moment for the City of Pharr and its Police Department as these officers are the first to be Nationally Horse Patrol Certified since the creation of the Pharr Police Department in the early 1900s and the first horse patrolled police department unit in the region.
The Pharr Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Andy Harvey, has been working actively to introduce new, safer, innovative, and community-friendly policing initiatives.
“This marks a new direction in our history at the Pharr Police Department,” said Chief Harvey. “We are grateful to have been given this opportunity and for our wonderful partners at U.S. Customs and Border Protection for working with us on making this initiative a reality,” he continued. “Our new Pharr PD Mounted Unit will serve our community proudly and we are so proud of our officers who will lead our newest policing efforts to ensure our safety and enhance our services to the community,” Harvey said.
During the graduation ceremony, Class 20 (made up of four Pharr PD Officers and two Border Patrol Agents) proudly showcased their newly learned talents by performing a demonstration before a crowd of City of Pharr officials, family, federal partners, members of the Pharr Police Department.
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.
“This is a great responsibility and honor,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are thrilled to be the first Police Department in the region to have a Mounted Unit and look forward to increasing the number of officers in the unit in the future,” added Hernandez. “This has been something we have been planning for a long time and we are thankful to all our federal partners who collaborated with us in making this a reality,” he said.
The Pharr Police Department Unit is expected to begin patrolling the city within the next 30-60 days. As the department’s newest policing initiative, the unit will also work extensively within the community to provide outreach, educational, and safety resources.
by media | Feb 16, 2021 | Media Releases, News
Pharr, Texas – In the wake of unprecedented winter weather and freezing temperatures this evening, City of Pharr officials are urging residents to conserve as much water as possible.
Please refrain from washing laundry or using excessive water during this time. Officials thank all residents for their patience and understanding.
Please stay safe!
by media | Jan 4, 2021 | Media Releases, News
Presidential Permit Approved by President Trump for Expansion of Pharr International Bridge
Pharr, Texas – Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and City of Pharr officials are excited to announce that on December 31, 2020, President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential permit for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge. The news comes after a brief yet influential period of impressing upon the federal government the urgency and need for the expansion by city leaders, U.S. senators, and other key stakeholders. The 2020 permit amends the current permit to allow for the addition of another bridge at the international port of entry. This second span will give Pharr a competitive advantage by adding additional lanes to completely separate trucks and cars, dedicating specific lanes for empties, full cargo, certified cargo, and passenger vehicles, thereby adding capacity and reducing wait times. With this permit, Pharr will now have an official gate-to-gate FAST lane, or set of FAST lanes, from Mexico to the United States.
Typically, a permit process can take multiple years before approval; Pharr’s application was fast-tracked due to the dedicated efforts of city leaders and staff, consulting engineers Structural Engineering Associates, Inc., and others, who prioritized this project and worked diligently with U.S. and Mexican officials, despite the challenges of being in the midst of a global pandemic. The City of Pharr worked with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and their staff on this project, which began in September 2019 with a meeting between Pharr’s team and the White House arranged by Senator Cruz. Senator Cornyn led efforts and coordinated meetings between Pharr and the U. S. Department of State, which led to the formal notification to the U.S. Department of State in April 2020 of Pharr’s intent to expand the international bridge. Between April and August of 2020, Pharr leaders and representatives consulted with major U. S. and Mexican stakeholders, culminating in more than 60 letters of support from elected officials at the local, state, federal, and international levels. The project also received support from all major transportation and trade associations, border infrastructure groups, and private industry partners that utilize the bridge on a daily basis. The Pharr City Commission authorized the submission of the presidential permit amendment application to the U. S. Department of State, which was submitted on September 30, 2020, and just three months later, the permit was issued.
“It is unprecedented that a sitting President of the United States grants a Presidential Permit Amendment with record time, and we thank him for doing so,” said Mayor Hernandez. “This new year began on a positive note with the issuing of this permit for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge,” Hernandez continued. “The City of Pharr is appreciative of the diligent efforts made possible by the government relations and bridge teams at the city level, in coordination with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, which opened the doors of communication with our presidential administration and federal agencies to accomplish this goal with unprecedented speed due to the forthright and transparent communication regarding the need and urgency of this project,” he continued.
“This permit amends the current permit to allow for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge, and will further support the record numbers of international trade and commerce that transpires on our port of entry,” Hernandez added. “It is a wonderful new year, indeed!” he continued.
“Pharr’s ports of entry serve as a gateway for billions of dollars in cross-border trade that benefits our state’s economy,” said Senator Cornyn. “Expanding the Pharr International Bridge will enhance trade and travel and benefit all who use the facility,” he added.
Senator Cruz remarked, “Texas is home to some of the nation’s busiest border crossings and the Pharr International Bridge serves as an important port of entry to facilitate the United States’ trade and commerce with Mexico. I am grateful the Trump Administration recognized the importance of expanding the Pharr International Bridge to further enhance the U.S.-Mexico trade partnership and increase commerce between the two nations,” Senator Cruz said. “I’d like to commend the leadership of Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, City of Pharr City Council, the staff at the City of Pharr, and community leaders for their diligent work on this project and working with our office to help ensure this project was permitted in record time. I was proud to support the Pharr International Bridge expansion project as millions of jobs, in Texas and across the country, depend upon trade with Mexico. I will continue working to ensure future trade opportunities benefit Texas and put American jobs first.”
The Presidential Permit issued on December 31, 2020, can be found at:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-permit-123120/
![Pharr Police Department Unveils New Patch]()
by media | Sep 27, 2019 | Information, News, Police Department, Police News, Uniforms
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 |
by media | Apr 30, 2019 | Media Releases, News
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Karina Cardoza
Phone: 956-343-0011
Email: [email protected] |
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Pharr to Host National Day of Prayer Celebration and Festival of Faith on Thursday, 5/2
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019 |
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| Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will join communities throughout the nation to celebrate the 2019 National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, 2019, with an afternoon luncheon and evening event for the community. This year’s Pray for America theme is “Love One Another,” based upon the words of Jesus in John 13:34, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you.” Pharr officials will host a Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon and a public “Festival of Faith” beginning at 11:30 am on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage in Pharr).
At noon, elected officials, members of the religious community, representatives of the local business community, and guests will gather for a Prayer Luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker Milton L. Gonzalez, and local religious leaders from all faiths who will be conducting prayers. Individual tickets for the event are available for $20. For ticket information call (956) 402-4332. Media is invited to attend to cover the event.
From 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, the public is invited to participate in the “Festival of Faith” which will include community prayer, entertainment, and music. Food and refreshments will be provided. The Festival of Faith is FREE and open to anyone who would like to participate. All media and the public are invited to attend.
“Every year during the National Day of Prayer, we look forward to the opportunity for our community to come together in prayer,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We invite the entire public to participate and join us as we pray for unity, peace, love, and prosperity for our Pharr families and for our community,” he added.
DETAILS:
City of Pharr’s National Day of Prayer Celebration – May 2, 2018
National Day of Prayer Luncheon (Sponsored Event)
WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 2019, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
WHERE: Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577)
Individual tickets for the event are available for $20. For ticket information call (956) 402-4332.
Media is invited to attend and cover the event.
Festival of Faith (Public Event)
WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 2019, from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
WHERE: Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577)
All media and the public are invited to attend. |
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