Pharr Police and TxDOT Begin Annual 4th of July DWI Campaign
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr Police Department is teaming up with TxDOT to increase awareness and information about drinking and driving. This campaign will include an increase in the enforcement of DWI laws to reduce the number of DWI-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
The campaign period will take place from June 23 through July 9, 2023.
There are many consequences of drinking and driving. The most serious is death. In 2020, there were 23,166 DUI-alcohol-related traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 963 fatalities and 2,102 serious injuries according to TxDOT.
Other consequences include fines, loss of driver’s license, and jail time.
The Pharr Police Department is committed to keeping everyone safe this 4th of July holiday and wants to thank the community for continuously following the laws.
Pharr PD Raises Awareness for Crime Victims’ Rights Week; Provides Community Resources
Pharr, Texas – Crime Victim’s Rights Week occurs every year during the last week of April. In support of victims of crime, the Pharr Police Department is raising awareness and providing multiple resources to the public throughout the week.
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, Pharr Police along with its Crime Victims Division held an informational event at Downtown Park (118. S. Cage Blvd. Pharr, Texas 78577). The event included remarks from Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Pharr Chief of Police Juan Gonzalez, Pharr Municipal Court Judge Juan L. Villescas, and Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios.
“We are proud to join together to raise awareness for victims of crime and especially to bring information, resources, and experts to our community to provide our citizens with the tools to learn more about this issue,” said Mayor Hernandez. “Thank you to our Pharr PD for a great event and for collaborating with our local agencies and law enforcement to make this a successful event,” he added.
The theme for this year’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.” The theme calls upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and commit to creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported.
The Pharr Police Department would like the community to know resources are available at any time. Anyone needing assistance for themselves or someone they know is encouraged to call (956) 402-4831.
PSJA North football team set to participate in Tips for Toys on Sunday, 12/11 @ 9:30 am
Pharr, Texas – Football players from PSJA North High School will be giving back this holiday season by participating in the City of Pharr’s Tips for Toys.
“We are excited to give back to the community who supported us this season,” said head football coach Marcus Kaufmann. “Participation in the tips for toys campaign will help our athletes realize what an effect even a small gesture can have on others in the community,” he added.
The Raiders will be waiting tables at IHOP (1601 S Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577) on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 9:30 am. Tips collected will go towards the Tips for Toys fund.
Media is invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Raiders Participate in Tips for Toys
WHEN: Sunday, December 11, 2022, 9:30 am
WHERE: IHOP Pharr (1601 S Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577)
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr accepted the resignation of Police Chief Andy Harvey. Harvey announced his resignation on Monday, September 12, 2022, effective immediately.
“We thank Andy for his dedicated work to the City of Pharr during his two years as Chief, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D.
Juan Gonzalez has been appointed acting Chief and the city plans to conduct an extensive search for the most highly-qualified candidate to serve as Pharr’s Police Chief.
Pharr PD Mental Health Unit to Host 2nd Annual Mental Health Awareness Fair on Friday, 9/9 @ 7pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr and the Pharr PD Mental Health Unit will be hosting the 2nd Annual Mental Health Awareness Fair with the theme “Stick by Me” to bring awareness and local organizations together to provide information to the community.
The event will take place on Friday, September 9, 2022, from 7 pm – 9 pm at the Pharr Vanguard Academy Nature & Birding Center (1025 S. Richmond Dr.) in Pharr.
“Everyone is invited to join us as we work together to advocate for Mental Health Awareness during this fun family-friendly event,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “I’m proud to see the great work our Pharr PD Mental Health Unit is doing in advocating for awareness and bringing our local organizations together with our community to educate everyone on the services and assistance that are available to address mental health,” he added.
The event will feature mental health booths, a glow stick vigil, speakers, testimony, and a walk. For more information, contact Officer N. Zepeda at [email protected].
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr PD Mental Health Unit to Host 2nd Annual Mental Health Awareness Fair
WHEN: Friday, September 9, 2022, from 7 pm – 9 pm
WHERE: Pharr Vanguard Academy Nature & Birding Center (1025 S. Richmond Dr., Pharr, TX 78577)
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
Pharr Hosts Sen. Cornyn for Mental Health Roundtable Discussion & Press Conference
Pharr, Texas – City of Pharr leaders were excited to host U.S. Senator John Cornyn at a roundtable discussion on local Mental Health initiatives and federal legislation with regional leaders and law enforcement agencies. Pharr city commissioners welcomed Cornyn and individuals representing collaborative agencies including Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office, DHR Health Behavioral Hospital, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, among others.
Cornyn opened the discussion by providing attendees with an overview of the importance of mental health treatment for local communities, especially in the wake of the recent mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Cornyn lauded his efforts to pass key legislation in the U.S. Senate for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022. The legislation reauthorizes expiring programs under this initiative and also expands the use of multi-disciplinary response teams and provides resources and mental health training for law enforcement officers. The Act also enhances access to mental health services.
“We appreciate Senator Cornyn’s efforts to promote and support mental health legislation through which innovative and collaborative programs like the Mental Health Unit are made possible, and we are seeing a direct impact on our community,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “This type of compassionate intervention that they provide is working to save lives, and we are so proud of the work that the Mental Health Unit is doing in our city for our residents,” Hernandez added.
Pharr City Commissioners and City Manager/Police Chief Andy Harvey provided Cornyn with an overview of Pharr’s innovative Mental Health Unit. The Unit, founded in 2020 through a collaborative initiative between the Pharr Police Department and Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, utilizes trained mental health officers and a clinician to respond to incidents where an individual may be experiencing a mental health crisis and get them the help they need. The Unit was recently awarded a $550,000 grant by the U. S. Department of Justice to expand its services and was recognized earlier this year as “Organization of the Year” by the Texas Crisis Intervention Team Association.
The visit included a brief and intimate testimonial by an individual who was helped by the Mental Health Unit, and he thanked them for changing his life after experiencing a crisis. He now has a steady job and credits the Unit for helping him through his situation. At a press conference after the roundtable, Cornyn remarked, “If we can get people the help they need and access to that care, that protects them from being a danger to themselves or others as well.”
“The challenge of mental health affects every family in America,” Cornyn continued. “I’m so happy to be here in Pharr and to hold this up as a great example of what can be duplicated in other parts of the state and other parts of the country,” Cornyn added.
Pharr Commissioner Ricardo Medina, Senator John Cornyn, and Pharr Commissioner Ramiro Caballero
(l-r) Pharr Assistant Chief of Police Joel Robles, City Manager/Police Chief Andy Harvey, and Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Chief Operating Officer Mike Taylor
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
