Houston Mayor Criticizes Councilman’s Comments on Beryl Preparations

HOUSTON — Two Houston city leaders exchange words about preparing for Hurricane Beryl.

On Sunday, Mayor John Whitmire held a news conference to respond to Councilman Edward Pollard. The mayor said it was in response to comments made about the mobilization of first responders before Beryl arrived.

The mayor began his press conference by mentioning a story about Russell Richardson, a deceased Houston Police Department employee.

“The Richardson news story interviewed Councilman Pollard, who said that if we had been better prepared, lives would have been saved. My phone lit up with chiefs, directors and rank-and-file members,” said Mayor Whitmire.

Interim Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite and others congratulated Richardson.

“He’s there in every way possible to support us, that’s why he felt he had to step up,” Chief Satterwhite said.

He said many Tier 1 employees like Richardson were not reporting to work for various reasons.

“With every officer and every employee, it’s always about ‘respond when it’s safe, when it’s safe to respond so you can fight,’ because we don’t want this type of tragedy to happen, but it does happen,” Chief Satterwhite said.

HPD said no risks were taken in storm preparations prior to Hurricane Beryl. Highwater rescue vehicles were set up in advance and barricades were erected before Beryl hit the Houston area. Additional officers were mobilized after Hurricane Beryl passed.

“Let’s not politicize a disaster, let’s not disrespect a fallen hero and let’s not disrespect the grassroots,” Mayor Whitmire said in response to Pollard’s comments.

A statement from Councilman Pollard read in part: “My comments were focused solely on the logistics of mobilizing our officers a day early to ensure their safety and preparedness ahead of Hurricane Beryl.”

“I have the utmost respect for our officers and all first responders. At no time have I placed blame on anyone and I refuse to politicize this tragic event for personal gain,” Pollard said in the statement.

Mayor Whitmire said he has not spoken with the councilor since the comments were made.

Read Pollard’s full statement below:

First of all, I offer my deepest condolences to the Richardson family. They should never have to go through such a tragic experience again.

It is deeply disheartening to see our city hold a press conference designed to politically smear me. My comments were solely about the logistics of mobilizing our officers the day before to ensure their safety and preparedness ahead of Hurricane Beryl.

I have the utmost respect for our officers and all first responders. At no time did I place blame on anyone and I refuse to politicize this tragic event for personal gain. This experience has been a learning opportunity for all of us and I am confident that we will be even better prepared for future natural disasters.

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