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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Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, including restaurant openings and a major acquisition for MFAH. Plus, where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Houston. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then visit this guide to the best Christmas weekend events.

1. Meet the men behind River Oaks' new destination for bowls and broth. On this episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Honest Mary’s founder Nelson Monteith and COO Andrew Wiseheart joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Austin-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

2. Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire. It didn’t take Sambrooks Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opened December 22.

3. 25 Houston restaurants celebrating New Year's Eve with caviar, bubbles, and more. Houston restaurants are ringing in the new year with indulgent menus featuring caviar, lobster, and steak, along with plenty of bubbly.

4. Houston museum acquires historic Masonic lodge property for new greenspace. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has acquired a prime parcel to expand its campus in the Museum District.

Holland Lodge masonic building The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace. Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook

5. Houston's richest residents, best suburbs, and more top city news in 2025. As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the stories that defined Houston this year. These are the City Life stories that captured Houston's attention.