In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, a Category 1 storm that recently hit Houston, city officials have engaged in a public dispute over the city's preparation and response efforts. Mayor John Whitmire rebuffed claims by Council Member Edward Pollard that better preparation could have saved lives, an issue that surfaced following the tragic death of Houston Police Department civilian employee Russell Richardson who was found in floodwaters near City Hall.
At a press conference, Mayor Whitmore criticized what he felt were misguided remarks by Pollard, stating, "We were better prepared than ever," a defense anchored in the logistical measures taken prior to the storm's arrival, according to Houston Chronicle. Pollard, in an email statement, expressed condolences to Richardson's family and refuted the notion he was assigning individual blame or being political, stating that his comments were "solely focused on the logistics of mobilizing our officers a day earlier to ensure their safety and readiness before Hurricane Beryl hit," as reported by KHOU.
Mary Benton, the mayor's chief of communications, clarified after the news conference that the mayor was responding to comments made in an ABC13 news story about Richardson, which included Pollard's criticisms about the timing of first responder mobilization. Pollard has stood by his remarks, reiterating that his intention was not to cast aspersions but to focus on improving the safety and efficacy of storm preparations.
Adding to the mayor's defense, interim police chief Larry Satterwhite emphasized that the HPD was vigilant in deploying high-water vehicles and setting barricades in anticipation of the storm. “Our employees are our No. 1 priority, keeping them safe, because they're the ones that keep you all safe… but they're also heroes, and they're also going to try to save lives and do everything they can, and sometimes they might take risks,” Satterwhite said, highlighting the inherent risks of first responder duties, in a statement obtained by Houston Chronicle.
Douglas Griffith, the president of the Houston Police Officers Union, also weighed in, arguing that the city had indeed mobilized sufficiently ahead of the storm. Griffith told the Houston Chronicle, "You don’t fully mobilize until the storm comes in," pointing out that while officers and high-water rescue vehicles were ready, full mobilization only commenced when the storm was imminent. Thomas Muñoz, acting director of public safety and homeland security, underscored the city's proactive stance, noting that the absence of "boil water notices" despite widespread power issues was indicative of the solid groundwork laid by public work employees.
