Some Houston Police officers have returned from Puerto Rico. The officers were helping with Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in the town of Ponce. The HPD officers left Houston on November 2, 2017.
51 officers returned back to Houston Sunday night, the remaining officers are scheduled to return next week.
HPD and Ponce Police, despite minor language barriers and cultural differences, how to love and care for one another. HPD showed thier committment to the community by adopting an elementary school Ponce Command staff desire is to emulate our commitment to the community.
— P. L.C (@HISDPDChief) December 3, 2017
At the first deployment in early November, Assistant Police Chief Pete Lopez said about 50 Houston police officers are Puerto Ricans, but many more wanted to help.
“All of these officers here volunteered to go. We had over 200 officers volunteer, so it was hard trying to pick just 25.”
Captain Patricia Cantu was one of the volunteers. She said the local police force also needed basic supplies.
“We’ve been able to offer them the water, the mosquito spray, which some of the officers didn’t have when we got there, or even the protective vests when they were directing traffic, so it became a very dangerous issue for them. I believe like nine of them got hit.”
Captain Cantu said that things are slowly returning to normal in the cities, although rural areas are still having problems.
MORE: Captain Cantu’s Full Interview on Houston Matters
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“But for the most part, the electricity is coming back slowly but surely. They are still having issues with the lights and a lot of accidents. They haven’t upgraded lights since 1940, so that’s going to be a lot of work.”
Cantu said since Puerto Rico is an island, it’s been harder to recover since supplies have to come by boat or air.
Twitter reactions:
Members of HPD and the Ponce , Puerto Rico law enforcement and local government at the Parque de Bombas landmark. Ponce gave HPD a proclamation showing thier appreciation of of our efforts. Proud to be a leader in this organization. pic.twitter.com/ODV6JGiEpC
— P. L.C (@HISDPDChief) December 1, 2017
We visited Escuela Carmen Sola De Pereira this school has no power, electricity. We presented gift bags & treats 🍭to the students. Gift cards & donation to the teachers👩🏻🏫. #CommunityPolicing The students sang Todos Sabran for us! @lorellquiles @houstonpolice @PuertoRicoPUR pic.twitter.com/gQDWtnxMcC
— OfficerVo – HPD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (@OfficerVo) December 1, 2017
Welcome @plopez138 to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 we are happy to see you. @houstonpolice pic.twitter.com/FS7KJFEZrS
— OfficerVo – HPD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (@OfficerVo) November 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/PaulaRJefferson/status/934904159828107264
Mariah, the stray dog 🐶 from Ponce Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 has found a 🏡 with my brother. Many obstacles of flight availability to bring her home. But with the help of @AmericanAir we are bringing her home @houstonpolice @PEOPLEPets @PreciousPetts pic.twitter.com/Rizkicci8d
— OfficerVo – HPD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (@OfficerVo) December 3, 2017
Mariah, the stray dog 🐶 from Ponce Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 has found a 🏡 with my brother. Many obstacles of flight availability to bring her home. But with the help of @AmericanAir we are bringing her home @houstonpolice @PEOPLEPets @PreciousPetts pic.twitter.com/tEjHpPdezG
— OfficerVo – HPD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (@OfficerVo) December 3, 2017
Con parte de @houstonpolice @OfficerVo visitando nuestra escuela pic.twitter.com/8SWd5c1t62
— Heidi Rodríguez (@rodzhrr3841) December 2, 2017
HPD playing basketball with some kids. Officer Green made such a positive impact that on the next day, a little girl made her mother drive around the next day looking for her on her assignment to hand her a handwritten note which said "Dios te bendiga." pic.twitter.com/cb6QkvR1hu
— P. L.C (@HISDPDChief) December 3, 2017
After Hurricane Maria, Officer Feliciano couldn't reach his father for three weeks, so he went to Puerto Rico with four other HPD officers to help those impacted by the storm and to surprise his father. Full video: https://t.co/3lQdsS3Psu pic.twitter.com/SuupFo2lDG
— Hampton VA Police (@HamptonVAPolice) November 30, 2017
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