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SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH, AND TODAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH IS WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY.
SUICIDE CAN BE A DIFFICULT TOPIC TO NAVIGATE WITH LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS, AS CAN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FIREARMS, BUT HAVING THESE TYPES OF CONVERSATIONS CAN HELP SAVE LIVES.
WE'RE HERE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND DESTIGMATIZE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THIS DEVASTATING ISSUE, ONE THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS OUR VETERANS.
UH, SPECIFICALLY TODAY, UH, PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IS ADDRESSING THE TRAGIC NEXUS BETWEEN VETERANS, SUICIDE AND FIREARMS. AND I AM JOINED BY MANY COMMITTED PARTNERS STANDING UP HERE WITH ME.
UH, A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN MEETING OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN EVERYTHING IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION.
SO, I'M ABOUT TO INTRODUCE OUR SPEAKERS, UH, THOSE WE'LL BE HEARING FROM TODAY.
BUT FIRST I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THAT TOMORROW IS NINE 11.
IT HAS BEEN 13 YEARS SINCE THAT DAY.
UH, AND EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ROOM KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE WE WERE, WHERE ABOUT THIS TIME.
ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU ARE ACTIVE MILITARY OR A VETERAN, COULD YOU PLEASE STAND OR IF YOU'RE STANDING WAIVED TO BE RECOGNIZED.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
JOINING WITH ME TODAY, WE HAVE DR.
SANDY MCKAY, UH, WHO'S AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT UT HEALTH HOUSTON, AND HUFFINGTON FELLOW WITH THE BAKER INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY.
AND SHE'LL ALSO BE SPEAKING ON A PROGRAM SHE WORKS ON CALLED TARGET SAFETY.
WE HAVE DIRECTOR DEBO, UH, WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF VETERAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
WE HAVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND COLONEL DAVE LEWIS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ZAHARA WILLIAMS, UH, WHO DOES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION WITH THE MICHAEL DEBAKEY VETERAN AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER.
UH, OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR CHIEF CHIEF DIAZ OF HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF SATTERWHITE, UH, WHO IS NOW THE CITY'S, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR.
PURSE, UH, WHO IS THE CITY'S PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY AND EMS DIRECTOR.
UH, I'M JOINED ALSO BY COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA.
AND I'LL POINT OUT THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SERVES ON THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND IS ON AND THROUGH THAT, THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MENTAL WELLBEING.
UH, I'M ALSO JOINED BY, OF COURSE, OUR VICE MAYOR PRO TEM AMY PECK, CONTROLLER HOLLINS COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ, AND KAREN KNAPP, UH, WHO'S KIND OF HIDING BEHIND.
BUT KAREN HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL, UM, THROUGH MOM'S DEMAND, BUT ALSO PROGRAM CALLED BE SMART, UH, ON SAFE STORAGE INITIATIVES, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC.
UH, I ALSO WANNA RECOGNIZE WE HAVE STAFF, UH, EXCUSE ME, SERGEANT GOMEZ REPRESENTING SHERIFF GONZALEZ HERE TODAY WE HAVE STAFF FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S OFFICE, AND WE ALSO HAVE CHRIS FAHEY, AN ALUMNI OF PTSD FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, ALSO KNOWN AS CAMP HOPE.
DID I MISS ANYONE? OKAY, GREAT.
SO, AS I'VE SAID, OUR VETERANS HAVE SACRIFICED MORE THAN MANY OF US WILL EVER KNOW, AND FAR TOO OFTEN WHEN THEY RETURN HOME, THEY FACE A VARIETY OF CHALLENGES.
AND WE, ALL OF US HERE HAVE TO DO BETTER TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR VETERANS.
WE WANT THEM, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
AND WE ALSO NEED THE MEDIA'S HELP TO SHARE OUT RESOURCES LIKE THE ONES WE'RE HERE TO DISCUSS, TO HELP EDUCATE OTHERS ON THE NEXUS BETWEEN SUICIDE AND FIREARMS, AND HOW TO PREVENT SENSELESS TRAGEDY FROM OCCURRING.
VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY, UH, ATTEMPTING SUICIDE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO USE A FIREARM THAN NON-VETERANS.
AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT A FIREARM MAKES A SUICIDE ATTEMPT OVERWHELMINGLY MORE LETHAL.
FROM 2002 TO 2021, NEARLY 87,000 VETERANS DIED BY FIREARM SUICIDE.
16 TIMES THE NUMBER OF SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN ACTION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
GUN VIOLENCE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
WE HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE, AND THAT INCLUDES ENSURING THOSE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES
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HAVE A SAFE, TRUSTED PLACE TO TURN.OUR OFFICE IS WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND HOPEFULLY SOON BRING INITIATIVES LIKE TEMPORARY SECURE STORAGE PROGRAMS THAT VETERANS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, WHICH WE KNOW SAVE LIVES.
TRUSTED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE IDENTIFIED TEMPORARY SAFE STORAGE AS A MEANINGFUL SOLUTION TO HELP VETERANS IN NEED WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
AND, UH, FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR, SECURE TEMPORARY STORAGE REFERS TO PROGRAMS WHERE A SAFE, TRUSTED SPACE FOR VETERANS, WHETHER THAT'S A LICENSED FIREARM DEALER, UH, OR THE VFW, HAVE A SECURE STORAGE OPTION WHERE A VETERAN CAN KEYWORD HERE IS VOLUNTARILY STORE THEIR FIREARM TEMPORARILY IF AND WHEN THEY ARE IN NEED.
IN TEXAS, THESE PROGRAMS HAVE HURDLES DUE TO, UH, FACTORS LIKE GRAY AREAS IN THE LAW THAT VETERANS ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO REMEDY AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
BUT GROUPS LIKE THOSE UP HERE TODAY ARE COMING TOGETHER TO PROBLEM SOLVE AND KEEP AT IT.
IN THE MEANTIME, ESPECIALLY TODAY, BECAUSE ONE LIFE LOST IS TOO MANY, THERE ARE BEST PRACTICES AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS EXPERIENCING A CRISIS, YOU CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE BY CALLING OR TEXTING 9 8 8.
AND THEN IF YOU PRESS THE NUMBER ONE, YOU'LL BE DIRECTED TO THE VETERANS CRISIS HOTLINE.
THE HARRIS CENTER'S 24 7 CRISIS LINE IS ALSO AVAILABLE, AND THAT NUMBER IS UP HERE.
WE ASK THAT YOU SHARE THAT OUT.
AND THEN, UM, I'LL DO A FEW PLUGS AT THE END FOR SAFE STORAGE.
UH, BUT RIGHT NOW I'D LIKE TO HAND IT OVER TO DR. MCKAY TO KIND OF LAY OUT THE EXTENT, UM, OF THE PROBLEM BOTH NATIONALLY AND REGIONALLY.
AND THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN CAYMAN FOR RAISING THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE AND ALSO FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND PASSION FOR IMPROVING THE LIVES AND VETERAN LIVES HERE IN HOUSTON.
THIS IS A CRITICAL STEP, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT.
THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN FACING A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY.
SUICIDE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN ADULT POPULATIONS AMONG OUR VETERANS.
THEY ARE AT HIGHER THAN AVERAGE RATES OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
VETERANS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO DIE OF SUICIDE AS COMPARED TO NON-VETERANS.
AND IN 2019, AROUND 70% OF VETERANS WHO DIED BY SUICIDE USED A FIREARM COMPARED TO JUST UNDER 50% OF NON-VETERANS.
AND ONE THIRD OF VETERANS REPORT STORING THEIR FIREARM LOADED AND UNLOCKED.
FIREARM SUICIDE IS INCREDIBLY LETHAL, RESULTING IN DEATH.
HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE HIGHEST VETERAN POPULATION IN TEXAS.
AND HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE LOSE A VETERAN TO SUICIDE EVERY SIX DAYS.
WE HAVE INCREDIBLE SERVICES AND PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE DEDICATED TO MAKING AN IMPACT FOR OUR VETERANS.
I AM A PEDIATRICIAN, AND SO PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME, WHY AM I WORKING WITH VETERANS? WHY AM I EVEN IN THIS SPACE? AND WHILE IT'S EASY, VETERANS ARE PARENTS, THEIR GRANDPARENTS, I SEE THEM IN MY OFFICE EVERY DAY, AND THEY CARE FOR OUR FUTURE, OUR CHILDREN.
VETERAN HEALTH IMPACTS EVERY FIELD IN HEALTHCARE, EVEN IN PEDIATRICS.
AND WE ALL NEED TO BE INVESTED IN VETERANS.
IT HELPS TO MAKE STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG FUTURES.
I'M ALSO THE DAUGHTER OF A VETERAN, AND I AM HONORED TO DO MY PART TO HELP THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR ME.
UM, AND, AND SPEAKING ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS, UH, DR.
LASHANDA JONES, ALSO AT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF VETERAN AFFAIRS HAD REMINDED US THAT, UH, DR. JONES, I BELIEVE IT WAS RECENTLY, WE LOST THREE ACTIVE DUTY, UH, MEMBERS TO SUICIDE HERE IN HOUSTON.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALSO NOTING THE IMPACT THAT THAT HAS.
UH, WITH THAT, UH, NEXT WE'LL HEAR FROM DIRECTOR, UH, DEBA WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF VETERAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
SINCE 2007, THE MAYOR, OFFICE OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS AND CONTINUES MISSION TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF ACTIVE DUTY GUARDS, RESERVISTS, VETERANS, AND A VERY LARGE, UH, MILITARY AFFILIATED COMMUNITY SPOUSE, CAREGIVER, AND DEPENDENT.
IN 2018, CITY HOUSTON, IDENTIFIED BY SYSTEM ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH
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SERVICE ADMINISTRATION AT THE LEAD CITY FOR INFANT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NO WRONG DOSE POLICY BETWEEN CITY OF HOUSTON, DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS AND HARRIS COUNTY TO ADDRESS AN INSTRUMENT SUPPORTED MEASURE TO MITIGATE AND REDUCE SUICIDE AMONG SERVICE MEMBER, VETERAN AND THEIR FAMILY.WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE NO WRONG DOSE? POLICY? NUMBER ONE, TO ENSURE BENEFICIARY RECEIVE TIMELY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE WITHOUT RELATE DELAYED REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY INITIAL SEEK HELP.
NUMBER TWO, TO ENSURE BENEFICIARY CAN MAINTAIN TREATMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH TRUSTED PROVIDER WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, THE CITY HAD EMBRACED A COMPREHENSION PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO REDUCE SUICIDE RATE.
ONE, THEY LOOK BEYOND INDIVIDUAL, BUT TO INVOLVE PEERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THE COMMUNITY USING A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH.
THE HOUSTON MAYOR CHALLENGING TEAM HAD DEVELOPED MULTIPLE NEW AND INNOVATIVE STRATEGY TO PREVENT SUICIDE AND SERVICE MEMBER, VETERAN AND THE FAMILY.
THE HARRIS HARRIS CENTER AND THE VA MEDICAL CENTER HAVE A HANDOFF SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO AGENCY TO ASSIST WITH CARE OF THE VETERAN, A NETWORK OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL HOSPITAL AND THE VA.
TO ASSIST WITH VETERAN CARE IN PLACE, THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE BETTER ABLE TO IDENTIFY SUICIDE BEHAVIOR.
REFERRING PEOPLE TO FOLLOW UP CARE IS OFFERED THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, YOU'RE WORKING WITH HOSPITAL AND THE HOUSTON VA TO ENHANCE CARE COORDINATION FOR VETERANS WHO ARE DISCHARGED AFTER SUICIDE ATTEMPT.
WE, WE RECOGNIZE THE CRUCIAL ROLE THAT COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL PLAYS IN REDUCING SUICIDE RISK.
BY PROMOTING SAFE FIREARM STORIES, THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL CHANGE IS TO INVOLVE YOUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
WHILE FIREARM ON AND MEDICATION ARE USUALLY HANDLED RESPONSIBLY, THEY CAN'T BECOME DEADLY IF A VETERAN IS IN A CRISIS OF HAD SUICIDE THOUGHTS.
BECAUSE MANY SUICIDE CRISIS OF BRIEF SAFE STORY PROCESSES CAN SAVE A LIFE BY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND DISTANCE BETWEEN SOMEONE HAVING A SUICIDAL CRISIS AND EXCESS TO A FIREARM.
WE'RE FOSTERING STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION TO PROMOTE SAFE, FAST ARMED STORIES, INCREASED AWARENESS THAT'S SUICIDE, IS PREVENTABLE, AND ENCOURAGE ACTION BY PROMOTING HE RESOURCES.
WITH THIS GUN LOT AWARENESS PROGRAM, WE HOPE TO REDUCE STIGMA AND ENCOURAGE OTHER EXPERIENCED SUICIDE IDEATION TO STIR FIREARM ON OFFSITE.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR.
UH, NEXT WE'LL HEAR FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COLONEL LEWIS, UH, WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND, UH, I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE IN THE, IT'S A TOUGH TOPIC AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
I WANNA HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE.
FIRST OF ALL, NINE, EIGHT EIGHT.
IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU AND YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM, YOU CAN DIAL 9, 8 8, PRESS ONE, GET THEM ON THE LINE AND TALK THROUGH WHAT YOUR OPTIONS ARE.
OKAY? WE HAVE OTHER, UM, UH, RESOURCES WITHIN THE, UH, WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, WITHIN THE COUNTY.
UH, YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT US AT HARRIS COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES, UH, DEPARTMENT AT 2 8 1 8 7 6 6600.
WE LIKE TO SAY WE'RE A ONE START PROGRAM.
THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN TO SAY WE KNEW THERE WERE ISSUES, WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN.
WE CAN HELP YOU GET POINTED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I WANNA TALK ABOUT TWO THINGS.
FIRST OF ALL, SOME GREAT NEWS.
UM, WE HAVE SEEN A 32% DECREASE IN VETERAN SUICIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY YEAR OVER YEAR.
AND THAT IS, THAT IS EVERYBODY FROM OUR SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESOURCE COORDINATION TEAM, UH, MANY OF WHOM ARE IN THE ROOM TODAY, UH, TO EVERYBODY BEING MORE CONNECTED.
THAT'S SIGNIFICANT, BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND.
SO, LEMME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR STAFF.
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UH, PARKER, GORDON FOX SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANT.WE'RE ONE OF THREE AGENCIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO RECEIVE THAT GRANT.
IT ALLOWS US TO BRING ON 18 MEMBERS OF OUR 25 FULLY, ONE THIRD OF MY STAFF THAT IS DEDICATED TO PREVENTING SUICIDES.
UH, NOT JUST IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT IN EVERY COUNTY THAT TOUCHES HARRIS COUNTY.
SO MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW PEOPLE IN SOME OF OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.
AND THE OTHER THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS OUR TEXAS TWO STEP PROGRAM.
YOU CAN GO TO TX NUMERAL TWO, TX TWO STEP.ORG.
AND, UH, THERE'S A, A LOT OF RESOURCES THERE THAT HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM.
HOW TO HELP, HOW TO WORK ON SECURE TEMPORARY STORAGE.
LOTS AND LOTS OF RESOURCES THERE.
HOPEFULLY SOME OF YOU HAVE SEEN OUR BILLBOARDS.
THEY'RE VERY SIMPLE BILLBOARDS, UH, SAYS YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE, MAYBE EVEN YOUR OWN OR VETERANS VETERAN SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE.
UH, AND THO THOSE ARE SIGNIFICANT PIECES TO DRIVE PEOPLE TO THAT WEBSITE THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND THAT.
LEMME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IMPULSIVITY.
NOT EVERY VETERAN SUICIDE HAS A MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT.
SOMETIMES RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CAN BE AS SHORT AS 10 OR LESS MINUTES.
SO WHAT I WANNA SAY TODAY IS MINUTES MATTER.
IF WE CAN GET SOMETHING SECURED, WHETHER IT IS WITH A GUN LOCK, AND YOU GIVE THE KEY TO SOMEBODY ELSE, WHETHER IT IS SECURE, A PORTION OF THE GUN, WE CALL IT SECURE THE ACTION OR ANYTHING ELSE, GIVE IT TO A FAMILY MEMBER.
DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, MINUTES MATTER.
SOMETIMES THAT IMPULSIVITY CAN PASS AND WE'RE GOOD TO GO, UH, ONCE THAT, ONCE, ONCE THAT OCCURS.
SO UNDERSTANDING THOSE PIECES, AGAIN, TEXAS TWO STEP.ORG, A NON LEGISLATIVE APPROACH TO HOW WE ADDRESS SECURE TEMPORARY STORAGE.
WE UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PERSONAL FIREARMS FOR THE VETERAN COMMUNITY.
WE WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME OPTIONS.
WE'RE HERE, OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, HENRY CHAN HENRY, IF YOU'LL WAVE YOUR HAND OVER HERE.
AND MUCH OF OUR VSD STAFF ARE HERE TODAY, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE OUR PROGRAMS. WE'RE DOING GOOD THINGS.
AND I SHOULD SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF.
SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT ARE UP HERE AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT THE DAY-TO-DAY WORK THAT ALL OF OUR PARTNERS IN EACH DEPARTMENT DOES.
CHIEF, YOU WANNA COME UP HERE NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOTLIGHT.
UH, NEXT, UH, WE'LL BE HEARING AGAIN FROM DR. MCKAY THIS TIME ON THE WORK OF TARGET SAFETY.
SO WHAT IS TARGET SAFETY? SO JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, WHAT WE DID WAS WE BROUGHT TOGETHER A COALITION OF PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCHERS AND ADVOCATES, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, VETERAN ADVOCATES, FIREARM INJURY, UH, IN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, AND ALSO THOSE WHO ARE JUST DEDICATED TO REDUCING FIREARM INJURY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE ALL HAD A SHARED MISSION TO PREVENT FIREARM INJURY AND DEATH BY PROMOTING SECURE FIREARM STORAGE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO ADVANCING TEMPORARY OUT OF HOME STORAGE.
OUR VISION IS TO REDUCE FIREARM TRAGEDY.
WE WERE FOUNDED BOTH WITH UT HEALTH AND WITH COLLABORATIONS FROM THE BAKER INSTITUTE.
OUR WHOLE AIM IS TO INCREASE SECURE STORAGE INFORMATION BECAUSE AS YOU HEARD, ADDING TIME AND SPACE IS IMPORTANT, AND ALSO PROMOTING THAT TEMPORARY OUT-OF-HOME STORAGE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
WHAT WE DID WAS WE IDENTIFIED FIREARM RETAILERS ACROSS THE STATE WHO EITHER CURRENTLY PROVIDE THE SERVICE AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEIR BARRIERS ARE, OR ALSO WORKING WITH THOSE WHO DON'T PROVIDE THAT SERVICE, BUT TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO HELP YOU PROVIDE THAT SERVICE? WHAT IS IT THAT YOU NEED FROM US, AND HOW CAN WE HELP YOU INTRODUCE THAT SERVICE? AND UNDERSTOOD A LOT OF WHAT THEIR PROB, WHAT THEIR CONCERNS WERE.
WE WORKED WITH LEGISLATORS TO IDENTIFY LAWS THAT WE COULD HELP PROMOTE, ESPECIALLY AROUND CONCERNS AROUND LIABILITY, SO THAT WAY THE RETAILERS COULD HELP PROVIDE THIS LIFESAVING SERVICE.
WE ARE ALSO NOW RECENTLY FUNDED UNDER THE NEW UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS VIOLENCE AND INJURY PREVENTION CENTER, SO THAT WE CAN INVESTIGATE HOW WE CAN WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO BRING TARGET SAFETY TO LIFE.
AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT OUR FUTURE AND HOW WE CAN REDUCE FIREARM SUICIDE IN OUR REGION WITH SOME PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR FIREARM OWNERS AND VETERANS.
I HOPE Y'ALL ARE STARTING TO HEAR THE TYPES OF EFFORTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY IN PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION.
BUT OF COURSE, I'M GONNA LOOK AT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL.
WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, UH, WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.
UH, NEXT WE'LL HEAR FROM MY FRIEND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALRIGHT, THANK, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US TOGETHER WITH THIS
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DISTINGUISHED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AND LEADERS, UH, WORKING IN A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT SPACE AS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER.I'LL, I'LL TELL YOU, UH, I WOULD JUST LOOK AT MR. DIBEL THAT, UH, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO, BECAUSE I TAKE PRIDE THAT I HAD A HAND IN CREATING THE OFFICE WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, AND, UH, AND PROUD OF THE WORK THAT, UH, WE'RE DOING TO SUPPORT COLONEL LEWIS AND THE WORK THAT HE AND THE STAFF ARE DOING.
AND, AND THE RESULTS ARE IMPACTFUL AND, UH, TRANSFORMATIONAL.
TO THAT END, YOU KNOW, WE TALK, WE'RE TALKING A LOT ABOUT OUR VETERANS, BUT REALLY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE, ANYONE AND EVERYONE THAT IS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE YOUR BACK.
WHETHER A FIRST RESPONDER OR SOMEONE IN SOME OTHER HIGH STRESS INDUSTRY.
9, 8, 8 IS THERE FOR EVERY ONE OF YOU.
IT HAS A TEXT OPTION THAT YOU CAN, UH, LEVERAGE AND, UH, YOU CAN CALL 9 8 8 AND TEXT 8 3 8 2 5 5 TO REACH, UH, THE VETS CRISIS, UH, LINE.
SO JUST KNOW THAT WE'RE WORKING EVERY SINGLE DAY BECAUSE EVERY LIFE MATTERS TO US.
UH, SUICIDE IS, UH, PREVENTABLE, AND WE'RE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE COVERING ALL THE GAPS IN A VERY COMPLICATED SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT ANYONE WHO NEEDS SERVICES AND SUPPORT ATTENTION, UH, WE ARE THERE FOR YOU.
IF YOU ARE CONTEMPLATING, PLEASE GIVE US A CHANCE TO INTERVENE WITH, UH, THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT YOU MAY BE FEELING OR, UH, OR, OR, OR DEALING WITH.
WE WANT YOU TO KNOW, UH, THAT, UH, EVERY LIFE MATTERS, NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE.
WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY AND THAT WE CARE ABOUT YOU.
AND THIS IS WHAT TODAY IS ALL ABOUT.
SO, COUNCIL MEMBER, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK ALL THESE RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONALS FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO.
UH, AND JUST KNOW THAT, UH, LOOK, AS SOMEONE WHO CHOSE A LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER, I GOT WITHIN, UH, AS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, THE HAIR ON MY CHIN, CHIN, CHIN, UH, TO SIGNING A CONTRACT WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
SO I HAVE A GREAT, GREAT AFFINITY, UH, FOR OUR MEMBERS, UH, IN THE MILITARY, UH, EVEN THOSE IN THE AIR FORCE,
UH, BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, LOOK, UH, IT'S IMPORTANT TO BRING A LITTLE LEVITY, UH, TO THE CIRCUMSTANCE BECAUSE WE WANT YOU TO KNOW, UH, THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT.
AND I ASK EVERYONE WHO IS HEARING TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE AN AMBASSADOR, TO SHARE THE INFORMATION, UH, ABOUT OUR VETERANS.
IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY THAT IS A MEMBER, UH, WHETHER THEY'RE ACTIVE OR RETIRED, MEMBER OF THE MILITARY TALK, TALK ABOUT THIS AND TALK ABOUT 9, 8 8 AND TALK ABOUT THE RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS.
BUT MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE THAT YOU COME ACROSS THAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE HAVING A BAD DAY, LET 'EM KNOW THAT THERE'S RESOURCES FOR THEM, UH, TO REACH OUT TO IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR OWN HOME.
AND I, I PROMISED I WOULD GET THE COMMISSIONER OUT.
UH, THEY A COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
THEY'RE TAKING UP THE BUDGET TODAY, SO LITTLE IMPORTANT AND WE APPRECIATE HIM MAKING THE TIME.
UH, NEXT WE HAVE ZAHARA WILLIAMS, UH, WITH THE MICHAEL E DEBAKEY VETERAN AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, ALSO KNOWN AS THE VA ON BEHALF OF.
FIRST OF ALL, UM, ON BEHALF OF THE MICHAEL E DEBAKEY VA MEDICAL CENTER, WE'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER FOR SPEARHEADING, SPEARHEADING THIS INITIATIVE AS IT IS, UH, A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS.
WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE VA HAS EXPANDED ITS APPROACH BY EMBRACING A PUBLIC HEALTH MODEL TO ADDRESSING SUICIDE PREVENTION.
THIS UTILIZES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATORS IN LEVERAGING OUR CLINICAL EXPERTISE IN FOCUSING ON THREE PRIORITY AREAS.
THE FIRST PRIORITY AREA IS THAT OF IDENTIFYING SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WE OFTEN DO THIS THROUGH OUR ASK THE QUESTION CAMPAIGN.
THE SECOND IS ON EMBRACING CONNECTIVITY AND ENHANCING CARE COORDINATION.
AND THE THIRD ALIGNS WITH WHAT WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT TODAY, WHICH IS SECURE STORAGE.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE, WE OFFER AN ARRAY OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPORT THROUGH, UM, SECURE STORAGE MATERIALS.
AND OF COURSE, IN SUPPORTING THE 9 8 8 INITIATIVE, WHICH IS THE NATIONAL CRISIS LINE, AS YOU'VE HEARD SEVERAL TIMES, PRESS ONE FOR VETERANS.
IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE FREEDOM LOCKS TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS FACILITATE TRAININGS
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ON MILITARY CULTURAL COMPETENCE AS WELL AS VA SAFE AND ASK THE QUESTION.THE VA IS KEENLY AWARE THAT REACHING SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES EXTENDS BEYOND OUR WALLS.
AND WE BELIEVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND DRAWING ON THE RESOURCES THAT EXIST.
AGAIN, WE THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR ALLOWING US TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE.
IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN DEVELOPING A PARTNERSHIP OR CO CO COALITION, EXCUSE ME, UH, YOU MAY CONTACT OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATORS WITH THE INFORMATION ON THE SCREEN, UH, AS WE DO SERVE THE 28 COUNTIES SURROUNDING THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, ZAHARA FOR THAT.
UH, NEXT, UH, WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR HOUSTON POLICE CHIEF.
UM, I'M HONORED TO STAND HERE, UH, WITH OUR PARTNERS.
UH, THANK YOU TO DISTRICT C COUNCIL MEMBER ABBY.
ABBY, UH, CAME IN FOR HER SUPPORT.
UH, THE SUICIDE IS REAL AS A WITNESS, I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN INSIDE OF CAMP.
THEY'RE HELPING OUR VETERANS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND I WANNA RECOGNIZE OUR VETERANS, UH, FOR THE SERVICE THAT THEY'VE DONE.
I KNOW THIS IS, UH, ABOUT SUICIDE, BUT WE ALL NEED TO APPRECIATE THE SACRIFICE FIRST, THAT THE VETERANS, UM, HAVE GIVEN TO THIS COUNTRY.
AND, UH, PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE'S RESOURCES.
PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE IS AVENUES FOR YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH US, FOR YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH A FAMILY MEMBER.
I WANT TO THANK, UH, COMMANDER DUPAL CHAIN AND OUR TEAM AT THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THEY, THEY DO EVERY DAY WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS.
UH, BUT ALSO THE, EVERYBODY UP HERE DID A FANTASTIC JOB WITH THIS PRESENTATION.
IT'S REAL, IT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO BE, UH, MORE AWARE THAT THIS IS OCCURRING AND BE BETTER PARTNERS, UH, WITH OUR VETERANS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
AND I KNOW THAT NO CHIEF NOW HAS TO PRESENT AT PUBLIC SAFETY, SO THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS HEAD OUT.
UH, NEXT WE HAVE, UH, CHIEF SATTERWHITE, UH, WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S PUBLIC SA, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE NOW.
HEY, THANKS, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, AND THANKS EVERYBODY FOR BEING HERE.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REAL DEAL, REAL, UH, ISSUE.
UM, AS SO WELL ARTICULATED BY THE DOCTOR AND EVERYBODY ELSE PERSONALLY.
HE WAS, HE WAS IN THE ARMY, UH, WHEN HE, UH, TOOK HIS LIFE BY FIREARMS. SO THIS HITS PERSONAL TO ME.
SO WE REALLY WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.
WE WANNA REALLY SPREAD THIS MESSAGE.
NO ONE KNOWS, UM, A PERSON WHO IS POTENTIALLY IN CRISIS MORE SO THAN THEIR PERSONAL FRIENDS AND THEIR FAMILY.
SO IT'S WITH ALL THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AND ALL THE WAYS THAT WE CAN, WE CAN HELP.
WE SIMPLY CAN'T IF WE DON'T KNOW.
SO THERE IT COMES BACK TO FRIENDS, FAMILY.
A LOT OF MILITARY VETERANS END UP BEING.
THEY, THIS IS THE LIFE THEY CHOSE.
THEY WANNA HELP PEOPLE, THEY WANNA MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND THEN THEY MOVE ON INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
UH, WHEN I, ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I MADE SUICIDE CALLS WHERE WE LOST OUR OWN PEOPLE THERE.
I KNOW FIRE AND ALL FIRST RESPONDERS.
THIS IS A, A TERRIBLE THING THAT HAPPENS IN OUR COUNTRY, AND IT HAPPENS WAY, WAY TOO OFTEN.
SO WE REALLY WANNA SPREAD THE MESSAGE TO PLEASE GET, PLEASE CALL.
UM, MINUTES DO MATTER LIKE THE DOCTOR SAID.
UM, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT CAN BE IMPULSIVE.
AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, AND, AND THEN OF COURSE WE ALWAYS HEAR THE SAME THING.
SO, BUT SOMEBODY MAYBE SEES SOMETHING.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, PLEASE RING THE, RING THE BELL.
GIVE US A CHANCE TO PROTECT, UH, AND SAVE THAT LIFE, UM, BECAUSE IT'S SO INCUMBENT UPON.
AND THIS I'LL ALSO SAY VERY QUICKLY, UH, AND THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN, WE WORKED, UH, ON SAFE STORAGE, UH, FOR, WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS NOW.
WE STARTED THE LOCK IT UP SAFE A FEW YEARS BACK.
THE WHOLE IDEA OF BEING, AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOME GUN SAFES BACK THERE FOR THE PUBLIC TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT AS WE HAND OUT THESE SAFES TO SECURE THEIR OWN FIREARM.
BECAUSE AGAIN, WE NEVER WANT THE GUN TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT HARM THEMSELVES OR MIGHT HARM SOMEBODY ELSE.
AND THE SIMPLE FACT IS, UH, THAT IN OUR CITY WE HAVE, UH, A LOT OF GUNS THAT ARE TAKEN OUT OF VEHICLES, UH, AND, AND SO STOLEN FROM VEHICLES.
AND, AND WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CAREFUL WHEN WE HAVE A FIREARM.
UH, AND WE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GO OUT AND IT'S, YOU'RE RIGHT TO CARRY.
BUT BY ALL MEANS, SECURE IT WHEN IT DO NOT JUST THROW IT UNDER THE SEAT OF YOUR CAR OR IN A GLOVE BOX OR ANYTHING ELSE, AND EXPECT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE THERE WHEN YOU GO INTO A STORE OR A RETAIL BUSINESS, WHEN YOU COME BACK OUT, IT MAY BE GONE.
[00:30:01]
AND NOW IT'S IN THE HANDS OF SOMEBODY WHO COULD HURT SOMEBODY ELSE OR HURT THEMSELVES.SO PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT WE'RE OFFERING THE, THE FREE SAFES.
OR, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE OF MEANS, PURCHASE ONE FOR YOURSELF, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FIREARM DOES NOT END UP IN THE HANDS, FIRST AND FOREMOST OF A CHILD OR SOMEBODY THAT MIGHT HURT THEMSELVES.
AND ALSO IN THE HANDS OF SOMEBODY INTENDED TO DO HARM TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
AND THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN FOR HAVING ME.
AND CHIEF, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR SHARING YOUR PERSONAL, UH, STORY FOR, UH, THOSE IN THE ROOM, ESPECIALLY FOR NEWS AND MEDIA.
WE WILL HAVE DEMONSTRATIONS, UH, AFTER THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF HOW TO USE A GUN LOCK AND A GUN SAFE.
AND WE APPRECIATE OUR HPD PARTNERS BEING HERE FOR THAT.
PER, UH, WHO'S OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY AND EMS DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
COUNCIL MEMBER KAMAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T HER, UH, FIRST TIME LOOKING AT THIS.
YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR, FOR YEARS NOW.
AND SO, UM, THE, THE FIGHT IS NEVER OVER, RIGHT? BUT ANYWAYS, UM, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
AND MY JOB HERE TODAY IS I WANNA, WE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
I'M GONNA GIVE SOME THINGS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, AND THOSE WHO ARE CLOSE TO SOMEONE TO BE LISTENING FOR AND TO BE WATCHING FOR AS THE RED FLAGS THAT THEN WILL, UH, BE, WE, YOU CAN THEN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE RESOURCES.
'CAUSE I THINK IT'S CHIEF SATTERWHITE AND OTHERS HAVE POINTED OUT, WE'VE GOT LOTS OF RESOURCES, BUT WE'VE GOTTA CONNECT 'EM TO THE, TO THE ISSUE.
SO WHEN DO YOU KNOW IT'S TIME TO CALL? WELL, FIRST OF ALL, NUMBER ONE, WHENEVER YOU ARE WORRIED, WHENEVER YOUR GUT TELLS YOU, UH, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING AND WE NEED TO REACH OUT FOR HELP, LISTEN TO THAT VOICE IN YOUR HEAD.
LISTEN TO THAT VOICE IN YOUR HEART WHEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING.
ACT NUMBER TWO, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ACT.
WHAT'S THE WORST COULD HAPPEN? SOMEBODY MIGHT GET UPSET.
YOU CALLED AND SAID I WAS SUICIDAL.
WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY? I'M NOT SUICIDAL.
OKAY? THINGS, THE RED FLAGS WATCH OUT FOR PEOPLE.
OR SOMETIMES THEY'RE GONNA SAY THINGS AND SOMETIMES IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE OBVIOUS THAN OTHERS.
LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY SAY, YOU KNOW, I WISH I WERE DEAD, OR, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF I WASN'T AROUND.
THOSE ARE BIG RED FLAGS, AND I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THAT THEY SAID THAT OUT LOUD TO YOU.
YOU NEED TO HEAR THAT AS A ASK FOR HELP.
THEY DIDN'T SAY IT TO SOME STRANGER, OR MAYBE THEY DID SAY IT TO A STRANGER, BUT IF THEY SAID IT TO YOU, THEY, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS AN ASK FOR HELP.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO START DISCUSSING THINGS WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO USE THE WORD SUICIDE.
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT HURTING YOURSELF? LET'S GET YOU SOME HELP.
THOSE ARE PRETTY OBVIOUS ONES.
THEN THERE'S SOME MORE, YOU KNOW, SUBTLE THINGS PEOPLE COULD SAY.
LIKE, I'M JUST, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST, THERE'S JUST NO WAY OUT OF THIS.
I, YOU KNOW, MAYBE NOT QUITE AS DIRECT, BUT THAT'S WHEN THEY SAY THINGS THAT ARE HELPLESS AND HOPELESS.
AND THINK ABOUT THOSE TWO WORDS.
THEY DON'T MEAN THE EXACT SAME THING, BUT WHEN THEY SAY THINGS THAT ARE HELPLESS AND HOPELESS, THAT, UH, MAY NOT BE QUITE AS, AS, UH, OBVIOUS.
BUT THOSE, AGAIN, THOSE ARE CALLS FOR HELP WHEN YOU SEE BEHAVIOR CHANGES, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY, YOU KNOW, START WITHDRAWING AND SPENDING MORE TIME ALONE.
AND AGAIN, AS WAS POINTED OUT, THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN OVER WEEKS OR MONTHS.
THIS CAN HAPPEN OVER A COUPLE DAYS OR MAYBE EVEN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS.
BUT WHEN YOU KNOW SOMEBODY'S DEPRESSED AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE STRUGGLING, AND THEN THEY START ISOLATING THEMSELVES, THAT'S A RED FLAG.
AND THEN THERE'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
WHEN THEY'RE DEPRESSED AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DEPRESSED AND THEY'RE STRUGGLING, AND THEY DECIDE TO REACH OUT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THEY HAVEN'T SEEN IN YEARS.
THAT'S NOT, OH, GOOD, HE'S GETTING BETTER.
HE'S GONNA REACH OUT TO HIS OLD BEST FRIEND FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
WHAT DID HE AND HIS BEST FRIEND DISCUSS? HOW MANY OLD BEST FRIENDS AND OLD FAMILY MEMBERS ARE THEY REACHING OUT TO ALL OF A SUDDEN? THESE ARE SORTS OF THINGS.
ANOTHER THING IS GIVING AWAY PRIZED POSSESSIONS.
THAT FOOTBALL THAT HE HAD FROM THAT HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP, OR WHEN HE RAN THAT 90 YEAR YARD TOUCHDOWN IN COLLEGE, HE'S HAD THAT FOREVER AND HE JUST GAVE IT AWAY TO SOMEBODY.
WHY WOULD HE DO THAT? EXACTLY? WHY WOULD HE DO THAT? SO THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU CAN LOOK FOR.
UM, I'VE JUST TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF THEM.
BUT REALLY THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHEN YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR GUT THAT SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG.
YOU, YOU NEED TO ACT AND YOU NEED TO FEEL EMPOWERED TO ACT.
PER, UH, AND NEXT, UH, OUR CITY CONTROLLER, CHRIS HOLLINS.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US AND STANDING WITH US.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, SIR.
[00:35:01]
THIS WEEK WE RECOGNIZE AND REMEMBER THE TRAGEDY OF NINE 11.UM, AND WE KNOW THAT, THAT MANY, UH, OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS ANSWERED THE CALL, UH, TO KEEP THIS NATION SAFE, UH, PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM WAY, HARM'S WAY TO, TO SERVE OVERSEAS.
AND, AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAD AN EXTENDED STAY OVERSEAS, AND THAT OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN WERE EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE, TO CHEMICALS, TO SITUATIONS, TO TRAUMA, UH, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
MANY OF THEM ARE, ARE NOW HOME.
IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO CARE FOR THEM, UM, OUT OF RESPECT AND REGARD FOR, FOR PUTTING THEMSELVES, UH, IN HARM'S WAY TO KEEP OUR NATION SAFE.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT BEYOND, UH, OUR VETERANS, THAT PARTI, PARTICULARLY IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19, UH, THAT MANY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE MORE ISOLATED.
UM, THAT MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, ARE BEING EXPOSED, UH, TO SIGNALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND, AND, UH, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, UH, THAT ARE PUTTING THEM IN, IN A PLACE MENTALLY WHERE, UH, WHERE THEY NEED SOME HELP.
AND SO WE NEED TO CHECK ON THOSE THAT WE LOVE, FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, UM, LET THEM KNOW THAT WE CARE FOR THEM.
LET THEM KNOW THAT THERE IS HOPE.
LET THEM KNOW, UM, THAT THERE'S A LIGHT AT THE END OF THAT TUNNEL.
AND SO WE'RE GRATEFUL, UH, TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE HERE WITH US TODAY.
WE CARE ABOUT YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR CITY, UH, YOUR COUNTY.
UH, WE'RE HERE FOR YOU AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THESE RESOURCES THAT EXIST.
UH, BUT MOREOVER, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE MEDIA HERE, BECAUSE WE'RE DEPENDING ON YOU TO LET HOUSTONIANS KNOW, UH, AND RESIDENTS OF THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA KNOW, UH, THAT THESE RESOURCES ARE THERE, UH, FOR THEM.
AND SO, UH, THANK YOU TO YOU IN ADVANCE, UH, FOR SPREADING THESE MESSAGES.
AND THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER ABBY CAYMAN FOR BRINGING US HERE, UH, TOGETHER.
WITH THAT AGAIN, UM, THE CONTROLLER REALLY BROUGHT IT HOME WHEN WE SAID THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
UH, WE ARE ANYONE LISTENING, WE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU TO HELP SHARE THE WORD, UH, WHETHER IT'S THE NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE.
UH, AND AGAIN, YOU CAN 9, 8 8, AND YOU CAN PRESS ONE, UH, FOR THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE.
UH, BUT ALSO HARRIS CENTER HAS A 24 7 CRISIS LINE.
THE COUNTY, UM, IS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND RESOURCES, TARGET SAFETY.
AND OUR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, UM, ARE PARTNERING TOGETHER.
EVERYONE, UH, IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND.
AND WITH THAT, UH, AGAIN, I WANNA THANK ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
UH, IN ADDITION TO SHARING OUT THE INFORMATION, UH, THAT WE ARE PUSHING OUT TODAY, WE HAVE ONE OTHER ASK, UH, IF YOU ARE A LICENSED FIREARM RETAILER DISTRIBUTOR, UH, IF YOU OWN A FIRING RANGE AND YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP, UH, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE.
THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS DISTRICT C@HOUSTONTX.GOV.
YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL INFO@HARRISVETS.ORG.
UH, YOU CAN ALSO, AGAIN, UH, REACH OUT TO THE VA FOR SECURE STORAGE TOOLS LIKE LOCKS AND SAFES.
YOU CAN REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICE, UH, AND WE WILL ALSO, UH, WORK WITH EACH AND EVERY PERSON THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO GET THEM OVER TO THE RIGHT, TO THE RIGHT FOLKS.
UH, WITH THAT, UH, WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE.
I LOST MY, MY SPANISH TRANSLATION, UH, FOLKS.
BUT WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO HELP IF ANYBODY NEEDS SPANISH TRANSLATION.
AGAIN, I WANNA THANK ALL OF OUR PARTNERS IN THE ROOM.
UH, AND I SEE MOM'S DEMAND HERE.
UH, BUT ALSO, UH, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, SHERIFF GONZALEZ, UH, ALL OF LAW LAW ENFORCEMENT IS UNITED IN THIS.
OUR HEALTHCARE AND OUR PUBLIC SERVICE, UM, EXCUSE ME, OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS, LIKE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WERE STANDING WITH ME TODAY, UM, ARE WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
AND WITH THAT, I I, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? NO.
OH, AND A BIG THANK YOU TO MY STAFF.