Cut short by press collapse

Mayor Parker makes a mother's vow to root out police brutality

A still from the videotaped beating
Mayor Annise Parker
A copy of the video was shown to the media on a laptop at a recent newsconference attended by Quanell X, in front, and other African-American communityleaders.
Chad Holley was tried and convicted of burglary last March, and the judge wouldnot allow the video to be shown. Holley, now 16, has filed a federal civilrights lawsuit against the Houston Police Department.
Quanell X of the New Black Panther Party talks about the videotape of theincident captured by an area business surveillance camera, which Quanell viewedand turned over to the mayor and police chief.
Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland

To address the concerns of the community, Houston mayor Annise Parker announced the creation of two new police oversight boards on Friday.

The announcement follows community outrage over a video of several Houston police officers beating burglary suspect Chad Holley, then 15. The incident, which took place in March of 2010, led to the firing of seven police officers and misdemeanor charges of official oppression being filed against four of them. The video only became public when KTRK. Ch. 13 aired it earlier this month, after community activist Quanell X handed it over.

The new Independent Police Oversight Board will replace the existing Citizens' Review Committee. It will be made up of 20 members appointed by the mayor with expertise in criminal justice, including retired judges, civil rights attorneys and academic experts.

The board will review all internal affairs investigations involving the discharge of a firearm, allegations of excessive force and other major incidents. According to Mayor Parker, it will have full access to police records and data and will review and make recommendations regarding hiring, training and evaluations of officer conduct to the chief of police and the mayor.

The Police Advisory Committee will be renamed the Public Safety Advisory Committee and will meet monthly with citizens around the city, and quarterly with the police and fire chiefs and the local Homeland Security office. Additionally the Houston Office of Inspector General will expand its role to be a confidential ombudsman to aid citizens in filing complaints of misconduct against the police. Both boards will be established immediately by executive order but will not be granted subpoena power.

In a press conference that was cut short when a member of the press corps collapsed and had to be taken out on an ambulance with breathing difficulties, Parker reiterated her commitment to changing the relationship between the public and the police.

"As a mother I understand the desire of parents to know their children are safe in the hands of the Houston police department .... If a culture exists at HPD that contributes to the behavior displayed in the video, we will root it out," she said.

The changes come from a report issued Jan. 20 following a months-long initiative to take public suggestions on improving police-community relations that was led by Houston council member Melissa Noriega.

State Senator Rodney Ellis also spoke of initiatives he was taking on at the state level to make it easier for cities to establish independent review boards and to step up police training in areas of ethics, civil rights and stress management, but he was frank in assessing that such changes will be difficult to implement on a state-wide level.

Ellis also called for District Attorney Pat Lykos to reconsider filing felony assault charges against the police officers in the video based on new evidence that Holley received significant bodily injuries.

"The important thing is that the mayor of the city realizes that this is a problem," Ellis said. "There is nothing like a crisis to get us to focus on reforms."

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tapping into safety

Bike trail connecting EaDo and Third Ward shines with new lights

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Solar lamps will light up the Columbia Tap Trail before the FIFA 2026 World Cup, with more to come.

The Columbia Tap Trail is getting safer and brighter. The Greater Southeast Management District and the East Downtown Management District announced on Monday that Phase 1 of their Columbia Tap Trail Comprehensive Improvement Initiative had begun, which will install 50 solar powered lights along the trail before the start of the FIFA 2026 World Cup with more to come later.

"The Columbia Tap Trail is more than a bike path. It is a vital artery connecting communities that have shaped Houston's history," said Brian Smith, board chair of the Greater Southeast Management District. "This project demonstrates what's possible when districts, city officials, and federal partners work together to create safer, more accessible public spaces. This $7.5 million investment isn't just about lighting. It's about building a trail that serves our neighborhoods for generations. With the world's eyes on Houston this summer, we're proud to showcase infrastructure that will serve our community long after the final whistle."

When completed later this fall, Phase 1 will have installed 300 new lights along the 10-foot-wide paved parkway. Further improvements as part of Phase 1 will include emergency call boxes, improved signage, and safety features at the various intersections.

Houston is in the midst of a massive expansion of both its public parks and access to the city through walking and bike paths. The Columbia Tap Trail is a 4-mile trail from Dixie Drive to Emancipation Avenue that serves as an important artery for Third Ward and East Downtown. It follows the path of the old Tap and Brazoria Railway, a vital method of exporting goods from Houston that was largely built by enslaved Black Texans. Naturally, Black communities sprang up around the trail, making it a hub of accessibility for generations to come.

Improving the trail opens up alternative and safer paths than driving to destinations like Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science thanks to links to the Brays Bayou Hike and Bike Trail at the southern end, as well as numerous schools, neighborhoods, and small businesses. Along with the Hill at Sims and the larger Bayou Greenway Network, Houston greenspaces and parks are becoming thoroughfares. Houston Council Member Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who frequently uses the trails, applauded the city's commitment to improving and revitalizing the trail system.

"The Columbia Tap Trail has long been a priority for our office because it directly impacts public safety, mobility, and quality of life for the neighborhoods it connects," she said. "As someone who lives in the District of Destination and personally uses this trail, I understand firsthand how important these improvements are to the residents, students, workers, families, and visitors who rely on this corridor. Nearly two years ago, we brought this need to Mayor John Whitmire, and I am grateful that he recognized the importance of this historic trail and worked with us to move these improvements forward."

parks sustainability