Change Of Direction Plan

 The Change of Direction Plan was devised to detail my vision for Houston, Texas and to provide a better quality of life for Houston residents. The Change of Direction plan is not just another political skit or stunt. It is an actual plan to provide Houstonians with the best version of our city and provide growth. My goal is to highlight a few of the most pressing issues that need immediate attention in Houston, TX. The first subject, Mental health, details a plan to address the crisis. Houstonians are suffering from mental illnesses and are not getting the attention they need. Instead, residents of Houston are being cycled in and out of jail and not being accepted by some health facilities. The second subject, Bridging The Gap Between Police Officers And Houstonians. It is no secret that Officers and the residents of Houston no longer trust each other. We must take policing back to the basics and allow Houstonians to express themselves without consequences. Houstonians and Officers are literally exhausted from both a physical and verbal fight for justice. The community cannot flourish if we do not have trust, and the relationship on both ends will not be repaired. Good Officers exist, like Officer Williams, and really have a passion for what they do. The third subject, Flooding In Communities. Historical neighborhoods such as 3rd and 5th Ward continue to flood during Hurricane season. The flooding in those neighborhoods are permanently destroying historical homes and leaving Houstonians bearing the burden of their community flooding.     

Mental health is a crisis not only in Houston but all over the world. It is imperative that the residents of Houston struggling with mental illnesses receive adequate care. Mental illness does not discriminate against race, creed, social status, or gender. Several Houstonian’s suffer from undiagnosed or under treated mental illnesses.

• Police Officers must receive adequate training on how to respond to mental health calls. Also, Officers need to be well versed on how to identify when a Houstonian is in a mental health crisis. When subjects are in a state of psychosis, individuals can lose contact with external reality. Which can result in crimes being committed.

• Instead of arresting Houstonians that commit petty crimes (Class-C Misdemeanors), Officers should screen them for mental illnesses if they are exhibiting signs.

• My objective is to prevent Houstonians suffering with mental illnesses from being cycled in and out of jail. 

• Suicide is prevalent in society and adolescents are committing suicide at a rapid rate. We must engage Houstonians in free mental health training. This will help parents identify if their children are battling with anxiety, depression, etc.

As a community we must address the “elephant in the room.” Police Officers and Houstonians do not trust each other. The residents of Houston are afraid of Police Officers and believe some Officers abuse their authority. The media has grouped all Officers into one bad image. This is not true and good Officers do exist. However, we cannot be oblivious to the actions of wayward Officers that are deemed “bad apples.” The safety of our Officers and the residents of Houston are extremely important. The goal is to publicly address the problem and render a sincere solution.

• Bring back “beat cops” and establish a healthy patrol presence in the community. Beat cops were Officers that literally had boots on the ground and got to personally know the residents in the community. Beat cops built a relationship with the residents and genuinely cared about the progression of the community.

• We need to hire Officers that grew up in the community that they’re patrolling in. Having familiar faces in uniforms can bring comfort to the residents of Houston. If Officers are not from the community, we need to educate them on the history of the community they are serving. 

• Make the law transparent and understandable to Houstonians. Many times, simple laws and traffic codes are broken due to a lack of knowledge. It is our goal to educate Houstonians on crimes before arresting them. In some instances, Officers have the discretion to arrest depending on the offense committed.   

 Houston is a very beautiful city, but flooding is a major problem. Flooding has left our communities riddled by destruction. Historical homes have been ruined by the flooding. We have to protect and restore the integrity of our communities. The flooding situation has to be addressed and a solution must be rendered. 

• Historical flooding that occurred approximately 100 years ago are occurring often in Houston. Roads immediately flood after 30 minutes of heavy rain. Several years ago, Houstonian’s voted to implement the drainage fee. The goal of the drainage fee is to collect taxpayer dollars and provide drainage services. However, the city has continued to flood and left Houstonian’s to pick up the pieces. 

• According to Houston based Geological survey hydrologist, the main bayou through downtown Houston (Buffalo Bayou) is basically a dirt mud channel. The bayou design is based on a 100-year design and is not effective. In order to have the Buffalo Bayou function properly it needs to be widened and deepened.

• Houston has designed two emergency reservoirs, the Addicks and Barkers. The objective of the reservoirs is to hold heavy rainwater and prevent flooding. However, the reservoirs are not long enough, and the elevation needs to be increased. The bottom line is more reservoirs are needed to prevent flooding. 

• Houston has endured several floods. The dams in Houston are approximately 70 years old. If the rainwater continues to rise the floodgates are no longer adequate and pressure needs to be released. Which in return floods neighborhoods and leaves subdivisions in ruins.