Montgomery County is putting a massive $114 million federal boost to good use with key community projects leading the charge. According to the Houston Chronicle, the county's windfall from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is funding improvements from mental health services to emergency preparedness.
An ambitious $21 million chunk of the allotment is slotted to upgrade water and sewer services for Tamina, a community established by freed slaves. In an effort blessed with unanimous approval by Montgomery County commissioners, the project promises to add 57 fire hydrants, and improve the quality of life for Tamina's residents, "Bleyl Engineering's John Bleyl said the first phase of the project from David Memorial Drive to the railroad tracks will be complete in February." Residents of Tamina, a historically significant black community settled in 1871, will finally receive the long-overdue infrastructure they've needed.
Montgomery County has not turned a blind eye to the escalating mental health crisis. As cited by the BNN Breaking, allocating funds for additional mental health deputies, a new County Attorney's office position, and Tri-County Mental Health services manifests the county's gravitation towards a socially responsive governance. With mental health calls on a stark rise, "Sheriff's Lt. Scott Spencer said BolaWrap is a handheld device similar to a Taser that deploys an eight-foot Kevlar cord and wraps a person's arms and legs, which allows deputies to secure the person and reducing the chance of injury to the individual."
Infrastructure and health go hand-in-hand in the county's blueprint. They've pumped $20 million to tackle persistent drainage issues, while an additional $13.6 million has been mobilized for enhanced nursing staff amidst a COVID-19 surge. A strategic investment of over $9 million in emergency preparedness has enabled the purchase of command vehicles and the erection of storage facilities for shelter supplies, a move that solidifies the county's readiness for disaster events.
Recognizing the intrinsic value of public safety, Montgomery County's Sheriff's Office has doled out $1.5 million for BolaWrap devices, modern tools that ensure less force is used on suspects, enhancing safety for all parties concerned. Holding true to systematic innovation, the county's law enforcement is embracing new technologies, succinctly put by Sheriff Rand Henderson "This new technology will provide deputies with a tool option to detain a volatile person with minimal force during a law enforcement encounter."
