When Hurricane Beryl passed through, it left communities across Houston in dire need, with many essential services disrupted. Amid this chaos, the Southwest Management District and Brays Oaks Management District demonstrated the power of swift collaboration, stepping up to support the Houston Police Department (HPD) officers stationed at South Gessner. Their coordinated efforts ensured that these officers, who were working around the clock, had access to the necessary food and beverages to sustain their operations.
Immediate Response: Coordination and Action
As the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl unfolded, a sergeant at South Gessner, who had previously worked in the International District, reached out to the Westside Patrol with an urgent plea. “Hey, do you want to help us over here? We don’t have any drinks, we don’t have any food for the night shift,” he said. This request quickly set off a chain of communication and action.
The sergeant at Westside Patrol immediately contacted Victor Beserra, Director of Public Safety at Hawes Hill & Associates and former HPD officer of 32 years. “I received clearance from Josh, on behalf of the Southwest Management District, that a certain amount can be funded by Southwest immediately,” recalled Beserra. Simultaneously, Sherry Cortez from Brays Oaks Management District was also contacted and called to coordinate the support efforts.
“Sherry asked, ‘What are you gonna help with?’ I said, ‘How about we help with the drinks and y’all do the food?’ and she said, ‘Let’s do it,'” Beserra explained. With this agreement, Brays Oaks took charge of providing Chick-fil-A meals, while the Southwest Management District ensured the officers had plenty of beverages.
Understanding the Challenges
The need for food and beverages was especially critical for the night shift officers, who often find it difficult to access food during major events. “What a lot of people do not consider with HPD during these disasters, especially the first two or three nights after a storm, is that the night shift runs from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. There’s no food for them because everything pretty much is closed,” explained Beserra.
This perspective was crucial in understanding the urgency of the situation. “During Harvey in 2017, we went 24 hours a day for six or seven straight days, and even then, finding food was hard,” he added. The experiences from past disasters underscored the importance of the management districts’ intervention.
Community Support in Action
The success of this operation was largely due to the pre-existing relationships between the management districts and HPD and their ability to act quickly. These strong, year-long partnerships in crime-reducing efforts meant that HPD knew they could count on the management districts in times of crisis. This streamlined decision-making process allowed for rapid mobilization and effective support.
The collaboration between Southwest and Brays Oaks ensured that the South Gessner station, which was hit particularly hard, received the necessary supplies. “One station had plenty of food, another had plenty of water, but South Gessner didn’t have as much. That’s why Sherry and I got together with Josh and said, ‘Let’s give them some food and drinks,'” Beserra explained.
An Example of the Importance of Collaboration
The joint efforts of the Southwest Management District and Brays Oaks Management District during the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl highlight the power of community support and collaboration. By swiftly coordinating to provide essential supplies to the HPD officers, they ensured that those on the front lines could continue their critical work without additional stress.
This operation not only addressed the immediate needs of the officers but also highlighted the importance of having strong, pre-established relationships within the community. As the districts continue to work together, their combined efforts will undoubtedly play a crucial role in future emergency responses, ensuring that no community is left unsupported in times of crisis.
