JANUARY 26, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5
News Missouri City’s crime rate drops By BARBARA FULENWIDER While Missouri City’s population continues to grow, crime continues to decrease, according to statistics the city’s police department compiles annually for the FBI’s national crime report. In 2010 crimes dropped by 333 incidents from the 4,588 in 2009 to 4,255. Overall, Part 1 crimes, which are the most serious and include theft, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, murder, aggravated assault and vehicle theft, dropped by 26 – from 1,429 in 2009 to 1,403 in 2010. Murders increased from one to four, aggravated assaults went from 61 incidents to 79, vehicle thefts increased from 57 in 2009 to 71 last year and thefts climbed from 872 in 2009 to 888 in 2010. Part 1 crimes that decreased were rape, which went from 15 in 2009 to 10 in 2010; robberies were down minimally from 46 to 42, burglaries dropped by 61 from 366 in 2009 to 305 in 2010 and arsons went from 11 two years
ago to three last year. Four out of the eight Part 1 crimes likely dropped this past year because the police department used more strategic stings, patrols and community education programs. One result of all this was more adults were arrested for all offenses. The total went from 1,575 in 2009 to 1,951 in 2010, according to Missouri City Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald, who made the crime analysis presentation to city council at their Jan. 18 meeting. The chief’s total arrest data for major and minor crimes shows that in 2008 Missouri City police arrested 1,360 adults, 91 juveniles and 338 were either released or “other” for a total of 1,789 total arrests. In 2009 there were 1,575 adults arrested along with 72 juveniles and 307 others for a total of 1,654. This past year Missouri City police arrested 1,951 adults, 97 juveniles and 394 others for a total of 2,442 arrests. The chief also reported that
the department’s response time to emergency calls remained just less than four minutes – the same as in 2009. Also, the police department received 400 fewer calls for service last year, Fitzgerald said, and credits the police community outreach programs for that. He said it allows “us to mitigate some problems we encounter” because officers regularly attend homeowner association meetings to directly answer residents questions and offer ways to address problems. This educates citizens so there are fewer times citizens need to call 911 for non-emergencies. Fitizgerald told council that another way the department succeeded in decreasing crime last year was using strategic stings to arrest motor vehicle thieves, reduce gang violence and narcotics sales and distribution. Motor vehicle thefts went from 449 in 2009 to 323 in 2010. Last year the Missouri City Police Department rejoined the Fort Bend County Narcot-
ics Task Force and initiated a total of 195 investigations last year compared to 107 in 2009. Police also facilitated crime watch training and gang awareness programs for citizens. Fitzgerald pointed out that last year citizens could use RAIDS online, a free, crime mapping national database that allows citywide crime tracking. This year Fitzgerald is urging citizens to use an email/ text message component that allows them to join citizens on patrol and share information about crimes they may witness with police and their neighbors. To Join Citizens on Patrol and/or send anonymous tips, residents should go to www. missouricitytx.gov, and click on Tracking Crime. Under Quick Links choose “Crime Mapping” and once the map loads, residents can either Join Citizens on Patrol or submit an anonymous tip regarding a crime.
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Missouri City considers code enforcement on multi-family homes By BARBARA FULENWIDER During a staff report to city council it became quite clear that a neighborhood’s first defense against something they don’t want in their midst is most often neighbors reporting it to the right authorities. A report to update council on the city’s authority to enforce code regulations on certain types of multi-resident single-family homes was presented at the Missouri City Council’s Jan. 18 meeting after background information on it was discussed in an earlier closed executive session. It became clear that in order for the city to be able to regulate all group homes, assisted living facilities and halfway houses in Missouri City’s limits, it needs the help of citizens reporting them to the city. City Manager Frank Simpson gave council the update, which was primarily on group homes for the elderly and/or
disabled, assisted living facilities and halfway houses for people with drug addictions and those who need rehabilitation or correctional programs. He began by saying that the city has “had a lot of citizens calling about group homes, assisted living facilities and halfway houses” to ask what is allowed and what isn’t. “There’s not a simple response when people call and ask ‘can they do that?’ It’s a complex area of the law,” Simpson said. “There are many restrictions and requirements on how these facilities operate as well as what we can do to regulate them. We want people to know that we’ll do all we can to make sure they are operating within the law and have the proper licenses.” Simpson went on to tell councilmen that he doesn’t think that the citizens calling the city “are asking us
to completely prohibit them. When done in the right manner they serve a purpose and besides the law doesn’t allow us to prohibit such.” The city manager went on to say that the city is asking citizens to do two things. Number 1 is “if there’s any concern about any type of criminal activity, call the police, rather than the city.” Number 2 is know that the city does not know where all these homes are. “We are most likely to know where a home is when it is licensed by the state and is operating within the law. We’re less likely to know about those that aren’t,” Simpson said. Quite often, he said, “they look like any other homes in the neighborhood and may even be better kept than other homes in the neighborhood. If someone believes there’s a group home that isn’t operating according to the law, call us and we’ll look into it.
“We want to make sure everything is operating legally but we have to do our part by following federal and state law. We want to do all we can but we do need citizens cooperating with us” – contacting either the police or city if they see any suspicious activity, Simpson said. The city manager said that if the city doesn’t do its part to follow the law “we could make the matter worse by not going through the right channels. We have been successful. There was one on Cypress Point. It took a bit of time but we did everything we could and finally that facility is closed and the house is back for rent. “We want to do all we can but we do need citizens cooperating with us and reporting what they can when they can and we’ll follow up and keep communication open,” Simpson said.
Derek Finley earns CFP designation WJ Interests, LLC, is pleased to announce that J. Derek Finley has completed the requirements and is now a Certified Financial Planner, as designated by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. CFP® designation is one of the most difficult certifications financial planners can earn, and denotes such planners as having achieved the highest levels of education and fiduciary responsibility. WJ Interests president Bill Jameson was certified in 1999; chief investment officer Jared Jameson earned his certification in 2000. “Derek has worked hard
during the past three years to meet the stringent requirements of this designation,” said Jared Jameson. Finley joined WJ Interests in December 2007 and is the first associate to be added since the company was founded in 1996. He is a 2007 graduate of the financial planning program at Texas Tech University, one of the few financial planning college programs in the country. CFP® professionals must develop their theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial plan-
Legislative committee recommends closure of prison in Sugar Land As a result of State Rep. Charlie Howard’s continued efforts, the Texas House Appropriations Committee has included a budget recommendation to close the central prison unit in Fort Bend County. “This budget recommendation is a win-win for all Texans. It will help assist in balancing our state budget, while at the same time creating economic opportunity for the great people of District 26,” stated Howard. “If passed, this will provide additional business and industrial property for development which will bring more jobs and economic growth to Fort Bend County.” Last March, the Texas General Land Office estimated the 325plus acres that the prison occupies are worth more than $33 million. The prison also sits on land that is zoned, in part, for the expansion of the Sugar Land Regional Airport. As development continues to expand toward the land area of the prison, and our state faces a multi-billion dollar shortfall, it is both economically practical as well as governmentally efficient to move the operations of the prison elsewhere. “This is an issue that I have been passionately working on with the city of Sugar Land for quite some time,” said Rep. Howard. “It is in the best interest of our state and my district to close the central prison unit and transfer its operations to another location. I am pleased to see our state’s leaders address this important matter.”
ning curriculum approved by CFP Board. They then must pass a comprehensive twoday, 10-hour CFP® certification examination that tests their ability to apply financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance. WJ Interests provides financial planning and investment services to an array of clients, including individuals, families, businesses and
foundations. Headquartered in Sugar Land, the firm works with clients from across Texas and the US. “We work to assist clients in realizing their financial goals,” said Bill Jameson, “by providing fee-only, objective financial planning and investment management with a focus on personalized service and open communication. We want to understand each client’s unique financial goals and keep those goals at the forefront of each financial recommendation.” For more information, ontact WJ Interests at 281-6349400 or wj@wjinterests.com.
Quail Valley Exchange Club hosts St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament The Quail Valley Exchange Club will be hosting their 31st annual Golf Tournament on Friday, March 25th at the Quail Valley Golf Courses. “This event is our largest fundraising effort every year, and provides us with the monies to support The Escape Center, Fort Bend Literacy Council, Fort Bend CASA as well as many other charities in Fort Bend County,” said Bob Dimmitt, Exchange Club Past President. “We consistently raise approximately $100,000, all which is donated back into the community.” The highlight of this annual tournament is the raffling of a golf cart and a custom fitted set of Titleist Irons.
Raffle tickets are available from Exchange Club members and at the Quail Valley Golf Courses for $5.00. Entry fees for the tournament include green fees and cart, lunch, complimentary beer while on course and a buffet dinner afterwards along with a silent auction. Lunch is served at 10:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12 noon. Cost is only $150 per person/$750 for a team of five golfers. Entry forms are available at the Quail Valley Golf Courses or from any Quail Valley Exchange Club member. For additional information, contact Bob Dimmitt at 281-4168499.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids in triplicate, one (1) original and two (2) copies, addressed to the City Secretary Office of the City of Sugar Land, Texas, will be received until 11:00 o’clock a.m., Thursday, February 10, 2011, for: ON-CALL PUMP REPAIR SERVICES Sealed bids shall be appropriately marked as follows: ITB NO. 2011-11: ON-CALL PUMP REPAIR SERVICES BIDDER NAME, ADDRESS, AND DUE DATE Bidder shall sign and date the bid. Bids that are not signed and dated will be rejected. Signed and sealed bids shall be delivered to the City Secretary Office, on or before 11:00 o’clock a.m., Thursday, February 10, 2011, City of Sugar Land City Hall, Suite 122, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. All bids received after the appointed time shall be returned to bidder unopened. Notice of the award of contract shall be given by the City within thirty (30) days following the date for the opening of bids. The City reserves the right to revise or amend the specifications prior to the date set for opening of bids. Such revisions or amendments, if any, will be announced by addenda or addendum to the specifications. Copies of such addenda so issued will be furnished to all prospective bidders and may or may not affect the bid opening date. The City of Sugar Land reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive informalities in bids received. The award will be made to the lowest responsible bidder. ITB documents may be secured from City of Sugar Land City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, or by registering at https://www.bidsync.com. Registration is free. All bid documents, amendments, and other information relating to the bid will be posted on this site. For questions regarding this bid, please contact Jason Poscovsky, Contract Administrator, Telephone (281) 275-2302 or email jposcovsky@sugarlandtx.gov. Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary
Notice of Public Hearing & CDBG Pre-Application Workshop City of Missouri City will hold a public hearing to give all Missouri City residents an opportunity to voice opinions on the City’s HUD Community Development Block Grant program. We will soon be developing an Annual Action Plan to tell HUD and residents how we plan to spend our PY 2011 funds. We would like to hear your comments on how the funds should be spent. A pre-application workshop for potential CDBG subrecipient agencies will be held in conjunction with the public hearing. All non-profit agencies that will be requesting CDBG funds should attend this workshop. All attendees are invited to speak on the subject of CDBG at the public hearing on:
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 2:00 PM City Council Chambers 1522 Texas Parkway Missouri City, Texas Residents may also send comments before March 1, 2011 to the City of Missouri City’s Planning Department at 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489 (Attention: Betty Collins). Residents may fax their comments to the City at (281) 208-5551. CDBG Program Background The national objective of the CDBG program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities principally for low and moderate-income persons. At least 71% of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low and moderate-income persons. CDBG goals include: 1.Improving the urban environment in low and moderate income areas; 2.Eliminating blighting influences and the deterioration of property, neighborhoods and public facilities in low and moderate-income areas; and 3.Ensuring decent, safe, sanitary housing for low and moderate-income residents. Eligible activities include but are not limited to: public facility construction and improvements; handicapped accessibility; operational funding for nonprofit agencies servicing primarily low income persons; rehabilitation of owneroccupied housing; housing development assistance, enforcement of City codes; clearance and demolition; infrastructure improvements; business development and job creation activities. Fair Housing Issues The Public Hearing will also be a forum to discuss fair housing and related issues. Residents with suggestions and/or concerns will be provided opportunity to voice those issues during the Fair Housing portion of the public hearing.
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In compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, this facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Re quests for special accommodations or interpretive services must be made at least 48 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact the Plan ning Department at 281-403-8541 or by FAX 281-208-5551.