Neighborhood Watch

Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano launches "If You See Something, SaySomething" program in Houston

Dennis Storemski, Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Mayor AnniseParker, and Chief Charles McClelland explain that the "See Something, SaySomething" program is an extension of what already exists
Photo by Whitney Radley
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Secretary Janet Napolitano, and Mayor AnniseParker stood beside fire and police department officials
Photo by Whitney Radley
Marketing materials will inform Houstonians of what to do if they see somethingsuspicious
Photo by Whitney Radley

Mayor Annise Parker stood alongside U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at the Lone Star College - Victory Center in north Houston Tuesday morning.

What were three powerful women doing on one small stage? Announcing a new initiative in the Houston metro area: "If You See Something, Say Something."

"Homeland security begins with hometown security," explained Napolitano.

The program is aimed at preventing terrorist attacks on our home turf by providing Houstonians with outlets to alert authorities of suspicious behavior. Citizens can report unusual sightings to www.iWatchHouston.org, or can call 1-855-i-WATCH4. Threats of imminent danger should still be directed to 9-1-1.

"We are linking the eyes and ears of Houstonians in with national security efforts," said Mayor Parker, since people who live in neighborhoods know what belongs there and people who work downtown know if something appears amiss.

"Homeland security begins with hometown security," explained Napolitano. "Our goal is to maximize our ability to prevent attacks ... and minimize the damage that could occur. We are asking people to be vigilant, but not live in fear. To be situationally aware, but not live in fear."

Secretary Napolitano cited large organizations, such as the NCAA and major sports leagues, and popular tourist areas, like the Mall of America, that have already adopted and implemented programs like this one.

National Public Radio recently aired a series of stories entitled "Under Suspicion" on the security program at Mall of America, though, and most detentions in the mall were based more upon race than upon concrete evidence of suspicious or malicious behavior.

This is something that the Department of Homeland Security and the Houston Police Department are hoping to avoid with the "If You See Something, Say Something" program, Parker said. She insisted that local officials know what to do with the information that they receive, so that they can process it accurately and respond without stereotyping.

The Department of Homeland Security is rolling the program out this year, one city at a time, and Houston is among the first large cities to initiate the program. This comes after news that the Houston area will accept $66 million in grants from FEMA, which will help with emergency preparedness and response, port security, and terrorism prevention. The Department has allocated $2.2 billion worth of grants to the state of Texas this year.

What do you think? Will this initiative create a pervasive paranoia? Or will you feel safer knowing that your neighbors are watching your back?

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana