By Okon Ekpenyong
Houston is gearing up for a big week as it prepares to host the much-awaited college football national championship game featuring Michigan and Washington. The city is buzzing with excitement, and the newly elected Mayor, John Whitmire, has met with the city’s law enforcement agencies to discuss plans to build relationships and prioritize public safety.
It will not be just for the upcoming game but is part of his campaign promise to create solutions to bring down crime in the city. Before taking office, Mayor Whitmire served as a Texas state senator for over four decades, representing District 15, which includes much of northern Houston.
With his extensive experience in government and a strong focus on public safety, Mayor Whitmire is determined to make sure that the city is well-prepared for the influx of visitors and the potential security threats that may arise.
To discuss his key high-priority public safety issues further, Mayor Whitmire met with Houston Police Department Chief Finner and executive members of the Houston Area Police Chief Association on Thursday, January 4, 2024. The press conference comes just days before the championship game, giving officials enough time to implement necessary measures to ensure a safe and successful event.
With tensions running high in the city and across the country, he is determined to maintain order and protect both the visitors and residents of Houston. In addition, the mayor is working to ensure that there are enough resources to focus on preventing any potential terrorist threats or criminal activity.
According to a recent report by Houston’s ABC13 Neighborhood Safety Tracker for December 2023, homicides in the city have decreased by twenty percent, and there has also been a significant decline in robberies, thefts, and burglaries. However, the report also indicates that there has been an increase in the number of people reporting that they have been victims of a crime from 2021-2022. Despite the decline in crime, officials and Mayor Whitmire are looking to do more to discuss collaborative efforts to reduce crime in the city further.
While in the State Senate, Whitmire was assigned to many criminal justice committees but faced criticism from some groups for being too harsh on crime. The officials also discussed traffic control and crowd management and coordinated with other law enforcement agencies to ensure a strong and effective security presence during the game. Mayor Whitmire stated that he intends to explore all options to ensure Houston’s safety during this high-profile event.
Texas will host the College Football Playoff National Championship for the second time. The first title game took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in 2014. This year’s game will take place at NRG Stadium, the home of the Houston Texans and Houston Rodeo. Mayor Whitmire believes this is a fantastic opportunity for the city to showcase its ability to host significant events.
As the game draws near, Houston residents can rest assured that their city is in good hands with Mayor Whitmire at the helm. With his strong leadership and dedication to public safety, the city is ready to welcome visitors and show them the best of what Houston offers.
The game will be played at the NRG stadium, home of the Houston Texas and Houston Rodeo. Before taking office, Mayor Whittier was the longest-serving Texas state senator since 1983, representing District 15, including much of northern Houston.
And since taking the oath of office on January 1, 2024, he’s already up and running by ordering an immediate end to pending legal actions against Houston firefighters, pretending to end the court fight over fair pay and benefits for Houston firefighters. He defeated congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in a runoff election on December 9, 2023, to become Houston’s 63rd major.
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