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Wednesday, September 10, 2008 9:50:39 PM
Webmaster has received no recent posts or news from the President or Board. Due to family issues and storm issues, the Webmaster will be locking down the server for a few days. Hopefully the site will stay up and running during that time. However, there will be NO updates or postings added during this time period.
Stay safe!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008 8:27:57 PM
I Have been told of some important information that will be passed on to the membership. I am waiting for the President and E-Board to pass the information on to me for posting.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008 8:24:51 PM
Sen. Cornyn Endorsed by Texas Fraternal Order of Police
Major Statewide Law Enforcement Organization Backs Sen. Cornyn’s Re-election
August 15, 2008
AUSTIN-U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's re-election campaign announced on Monday the unanimous endorsement of the Texas Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for his strong Senate record in support of the rule of law. Texas FOP is one of the largest organizations of peace officers in the state.
"I'm honored to receive the backing of men and women who play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. They serve on the front lines every day enforcing the law and protecting Texas families. I am committed to continue working with them on behalf of all Texans," Sen. Cornyn said.
The outgoing President of the Texas FOP Dennis Ward said: "Sen. Cornyn has been a strong friend of law enforcement throughout his career. His leadership has enabled us to better fight crime, protect children and keep all Texans safe. We're proud to strongly back his re-election."
The President-elect of the Texas FOP Frank Plowick said: "Sen. Cornyn has earned another term in the Senate through his hard work on behalf of peace officers. He understands the difficulties we face on a daily basis and has always been there for the law enforcement community. All Texans are well served by the exceptional job he has done."
The National FOP Trustee for Texas Ken Starrs said: "Sen. Cornyn's great work in the Senate has made a positive difference for the safety of Texas families. He has established a solid record of making sure we have the necessary tools to do our jobs. He has collaborated with both parties on legislation to keep gangs off the streets, crack down on violence and diminish the spread of illicit drugs."
One of Sen. Cornyn's highest priorities in the Senate has been to make sure law enforcement officials have the resources, tools and protection to carry out their mission of protecting Texas families.
-- Below are Examples of Sen. Cornyn's Strong Record on Behalf of Law Enforcement --
- Sen. Cornyn worked to enact measures to improve law enforcement's security. For example, he supported the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, enacted in 2004, which allows active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons.
- Sen. Cornyn successfully helped with Senate passage of the Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007 to provide critical reinforcement in keeping dangerous gangs away from Texas communities, and illicit drugs off the streets.
- Sen. Cornyn introduced the Law Enforcement Officers and Judges Protection Act of 2007 to curb frivolous lawsuits against police officers. This bill will also ensure that cop killers who are sentenced to death receive swift justice, not endless appeals.
- Sen. Cornyn has strongly backed various other initiatives to assist law enforcement efforts. These include the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), the Justice Department's bulletproof vest program, and others.
- Sen. Cornyn joined Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in July in introducing the Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2008 to assist border law enforcement personnel in addressing greater drug trafficking and violence. Their legislation would allocate resources to acquire needed law enforcement technology and equipment, and to hire additional personnel.
- Sen. Cornyn backed the PROTECT Act to create a national AMBER Alert Network, which allows prosecutors to bring indictments for federal sex offenses against an unnamed individual's DNA profile, and prosecution beyond the five-year statute of limitations.
- Sen. Cornyn supported the Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, which established a national registration for sex offenders and offenders against children, and boosted penalties for violent crimes against children.
- Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored the Crime Victims Rights constitutional amendment and other measures to protect crime victims.
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Monday, June 09, 2008 11:30:35 PM
Mark your calenders for Texas Hold'em Night at the Lodge Saloon. The date is July 11th at 7pm, more details will be forth coming. This will be the start of many differant social events for the membership of the lodge. In the discussion phase is Family Movie Night, Jellystone Waterpark and Camp-Out, An Astros Outing, a Motorcycle Ride or any other event that the membership has an interest in.
Saturday, June 21, 2008 4:51:38 PM
FOP NEWS: Nominations for Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Being Accepted |
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The Public Safety Officers' Medal of Valor, which is awarded by the President of the United States to public safety officers who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Nominations for this award are now being accepted by the U.S. Department of Justice, but must be received by the Department on or before 31 July 2008.
Additional information is available at
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/medalofvalor |
Saturday, May 31, 2008 12:27:20 PM
On Monday, May 5, the Houston Police Department began conducting a six-month pilot program entitled the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT). A CIRT consists of an HPD Crisis Intervention Team officer and a licensed mental health clinician who respond together to calls involving individuals with a mental illness.
The pilot program is based out of the South Central Patrol Division and will cover areas of the east, southeast, Clear Lake and central areas of the city. However, the CIRT will be available to respond citywide when a supervisor feels the presence of a CIRT team is necessary.
The objectives for the CIRT are to:
ddddProvide assistance to patrol officers on calls (or contacts) dddddealing with individuals in need of mental health assessment ddddor intervention.
ddddProvide appropriate follow-up for previous contacts and/or ddddreferrals from patrol officers or the Mental Health Unit.
ddddConduct proactive investigations involving homeless mentally ill ddddpersons and direct them to appropriate services.
ddddUtilize problem oriented policing strategies to identify "hot ddddspot" areas and address chronic consumers who frequently ddddcome to the attention of law enforcement.
ddddRespond to special threat situations.
"The Houston Police Department is committed to providing a professional and humane response to persons in a mental health crisis and who have come to the attention of law enforcement," said Lieutenant Michael Lee, supervisor for the Crisis Intervention Team and Crisis Intervention Response Team.
For more information regarding the HPD Crisis Intervention Team and Crisis Intervention Response Team, visit the teams’ Web site at www.houstoncit.org.
Thursday, May 29, 2008 9:32:49 PM
Posted at Write On METRO Blog
Chief Tom Lambert to Host Next Web Chat
Thursday, May 29, 2008 4:28 PM
 Our next monthly Web chat will be hosted by Chief Tom Lambert next Tuesday, June 3.
The chat, from noon to 1 p.m., will be open to any questions on safety and security in our METRO system or anything over which the METRO Police Department has jurisdiction.
Lambert, who has been police chief since the creation of MPD in 1982, has won industry awards recognizing him for national leadership and honoring METRO for its work in emergency preparedness. 
Some of the programs MPD has launched: cameras at our Park & Ride lots with remote-controlled access gates; pepper gel for bus operators; the bus marshal program where officers ride the bus in plain clothes. MPD is also responsible for enforcing the HOV lanes.
Got a question? Join us next Tuesday and ask the chief directly.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 8:30:52 AM
| Philadelphia transit police labor dispute could lead to strike |
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The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The police officers employed by Philadelphia's main transit agency are threatening to strike after working more than two years without a contract.
Talks are scheduled Thursday between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Fraternal Order of Transit Police, along with a state mediator.
SEPTA does not expect a strike, but "we would provide adequate security for our riders" should it happen, said agency spokesman Richard Maloney. City police and private security guards would be used, SEPTA officials said.
The subways have been plagued by violent crime recently, including an unprovoked March 26 beating of a man who collapsed and died. SEPTA responded by using overtime to add 30 officers to the 60 already on duty between 2 and 5 p.m., when crime by teenagers is at its worst.
"It took a violent incident to get SEPTA to put more officers out there, but they're a day late and a dollar short," union president Richard Neal Jr. said.
SEPTA police have been without a contract for 30 months, with union members rejecting three tentative agreements in that time.
The agency has offered its police a 3 percent annual wage increase over four years, with a requirement that officers contribute 1 percent of their salaries to help pay for health care. The police are seeking a "double-digit increase," Neal said.
The transit agency has a $130 million budget surplus, Neal added, which he suggested should be used to augment the force of 201 officers and increase salaries to be on par with Philadelphia police officers'.
The current starting salary for a SEPTA officer is $30,752 a year, with a maximum salary after four years of $49,804. City police start at about $39,000.
Maloney said transit officers have never had parity with their city counterparts.
"They're always welcome to go join the Philadelphia Police Department," Maloney said.
Unlike Philadelphia city police, transit officers are not prohibited by law from striking.
Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.philly.com |
Saturday, May 24, 2008 2:20:37 PM
Brothers and Sisters,
I know the members voted to take the third payment from the two months of the year that we get, to make the January payment and do the same for 2009, to make up the February payment.
I don’t think anyone anticipated the fuel issue at the time and it seems to only be getting worse. In lieu of this, I proposed to the e-board that we suspend this month’s third draft to help with members fuel cost at home. This one time event will in no way make us any later or move us forward in payments toward insurance. The e-board voted unanimously and Chase bank will not be drafting from the member’s accounts the third draft this month.
I hope this will help take a little ease off of everyone’s pocket book.
Fraternally,
Robert Lozano
President
Saturday, May 10, 2008 3:14:28 PM
H.R. 980 LEGISLATIVE ALERT:
The Senate will be holding the first procedural vote on H.R. 980, our collective bargaining bill, on Tuesday, 13 May!!!
CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION:
All F.O.P. members should call their Senators at their Washington offices (or through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121) and urge them to vote in favor of cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 980, the "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act."
The vote on Tuesday morning will be the first of several votes that we will need to win in order to get this bill to the President's desk. The "motion to proceed" is a procedural vote that will "start the clock" on debate on the bill. The motion to proceed will be the target of a filibuster, so we will need sixty (60) votes to win.
This is a procedural vote, so even if your Senators are not willing to vote in favor of final passage on the legislation, ask them to vote in favor of cloture on the motion to proceed!!!
It is also important to know and be able to counter the arguments against the bill. You should emphasize that the bill does not require binding arbitration, protects existing right-to-work laws, and specifically prohibits strikes and lockouts. The legislation merely requires that States “substantially provide” for the following rights and responsibilities:
• the right to form and join a labor organization;
• the right to bargain over hours, wages, and the terms and conditions of employment; and
• the availability of an “interest impasse resolution mechanism such as fact-finding, mediation, arbitration, or comparable procedures".
Additional talking points to use when making your case:
Last July, H.R. 980, was favorably reported by the House Committee on Education and Labor on a 42-1 vote. Later that same month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on a 314-97 vote.
The House bill won a majority of votes from BOTH party caucuses. The bottom line for both public safety employers and employees is not profit for shareholders, but to best ensure the safety of the officers, to bring them home
safely at the end of their shift and to deliver emergency services in the fastest and most efficient way possible.
It is irresponsible and offensive to suggest that collective bargaining would impede or jeopardize the ability of law enforcement officers to do their jobs. Their lives are on the line everyday, agreement or no agreement and to suggest that response to a critical incident would be used as a bargaining chip is reprehensible.
You can get additional information on the bill, and can direct Senate staff to, the
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Grand Lodge website:
http://www.fop.net/legislative/issues/bargain/hr980faq.pdf
If any of the Senator's staff that you speak with have additional questions about the legislation, tell them to contact Tim Richardson at in the FOP's National Legislative Office at 202-547-8189
This is our chance to pass H.R. 980 and we need your help!!! The IACP and National Sheriffs' Association are working and calling the Hill urging Senators to kill this bill. Without grassroots activity from the rank-and-file, they could
win!
We need all FOP members to CONTACT THEIR SENATORS IN THEIR WASHINGTON , D.C. OFFICE NOW AND ASK THEM TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF CLOTURE ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED TO H.R. 980, THE "PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE COOPERATION ACT"!!!
CALL NOW AND WATCH YOUR EMAIL AND THE FOP WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ALERTS!!!
Sunday, March 30, 2008 11:20:36 AM
 The deadline for the State FOP Scholarship Program is May 31st. The scholarships are open to any Children and grandchildren of members of the Fraternal Order of Police in Texas. for more information visit the State Lodge website at http://www.texasfop.org/Membership/Scholarships.aspx .-webmaster
Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:40:42 PM -posted at blogHOUSTON.net
Carol Alvarado's grueling 40 hour work-month
Tom Bazan forwarded METRO's contract with Carol Alvarado which he received following a TxPIA request. Here are several excerpts:
Consulting services will be provided as requested and will include consulting on issues such as, but not limited to the following: advice and guidance on working cooperatively with local entities to help facilitate the successful implementation of the METRO Solutions program, to serve as liaison to and develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders and entities such as The Gulf Coast Freight Rail District, H-GAC, local chambers of commerce and various community organizations, serve as METRO's representative for the strategic planning of public policy initiatives by working in cooperation with the Texas Transit Association, The Southwest Transit Association and similar organizations, communicate with elected officials at the federal, state and local levels as required to ensure that METRO's programs and initiatives receive support, work proactively with the community to identify and resolve problems and concerns of stakeholders and provide assistance to METRO in attracting eligible small businesses and employee recruitment. These consulting services consist only of advisory services to METRO and specifically exclude any representation of METRO to or before the Mayor of the City of Houston, Houston City Council, or departments of the City of Houston during this agreement.
[snip]
Consultant shall be compensated at the rate of $150.00 per hour for services performed under this contract.
[snip]
Payment will be made monthly to the Consultant within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of a properly prepared invoice[...]
What follows is Carol Alvarado's first invoice. Note the extraordinary detail she included:
Consulting work performed January 14-February 14, 2008. 40 hrs @ $150.00 and [sic] hour.
Consulting work covers briefings and staff meetings with METRO representatives. Included during this period includes meetings (in person and phone) with various elected officials and their staff, East Downtown TIRZ representatives and various community representatives. In addition, meeting preparation, phone and email responding.
TOTAL DUE: $6000.00
Forty hours of work, $6,000 due, and METRO says it cannot find a single document related to her consultant work.
Wow.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 05/08/08 07:19 PM | Houston Politics | Technorati | Comments (3)
Sunday, April 27, 2008 12:53:37 AM - posted at bloghouston.net on April 26, 2008
Chief Lambert goes to Washington
The Chron's Washington, D.C. bureau finally found something to do: METRO Police Chief Tom Lambert traveled to our nation's capital to tell Congress that transit agencies need more money to fight transit terrorism:
Houston's transit system police chief urged Congress on Friday to boost security assistance to cities to combat the threat of terrorist attacks on public transportation that have claimed 452 lives in three foreign cities since 2004.
Communities such as Houston need more money and greater spending flexibility to protect the tens of millions of passengers nationwide who board subways, commuter rail trains, buses and ferries each day, Thomas Lambert, the chief of police for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, told a House Homeland Security subcommittee.
"Our transit systems are open to the public with many access points," Lambert said. "One can clearly see that our transit systems, left unsecured, are viable and attractive targets for terrorists."
Chief Lambert has covered Houston's 7.5 miles worth of "many access points" with METRO's elite counterterrorism unit. Bus riders, however, are still encouraged to protect themselves.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 04/26/08 09:20 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Comments (2)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 9:28:47 PM - posted Sunday, April 06, 2008 at Isiah Carey's Insite
CONGRESSMAN GENE GREEN UPSET WITH METRO!
 HAS METRO BROKEN ITS PROMISE TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT LIGHT RAIL?
Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) has added his voice to the chorus of disappointed citizens who recently learned the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) may cut six blocks from its planned East End line connecting downtown Houston and the Magnolia Transit Center.
The original route, approved in a 2003 voter referendum, is intersected by the former Houston Belt & Terminal Railway tracks, now owned by Union Pacific. To date, METRO has been unable to develop a plan to cross the tracks to extend the line to the Magnolia Transit Center.
In a letter to METRO authorities dated April 4, Green said METRO had missed opportunities over the past several years to resolve the obstruction, and that the original route provided opportunities that were “absolutely essential to the further development of [the] area.”
Green also urged METRO to work with Union Pacific, the City of Houston, Harris County, the Freight Rail District, the Port of Houston, and local residents “to expeditiously reach a consensus agreement on a total crossing of the tracks.”
Proposed solutions include building an over or under pass at the train tracks, which could delay the rail line extension for several years as there are no current plans or funding for such a project.
Green has actively supported plans for a light rail system in Houston through appropriations requests. Last year , Green helped secure $19.6 million to continue the implementation of rail and bus rapid transit portions of METRO Solutions, including the North and Southeast light rail lines.
Sunday, April 20, 2008 4:48:50 PM
   On Saturday, April 26, Houston METRO F.O.P., Lodge #98 will be hosting a barbecue celebration for members and their families. Come and be apart of the fellowship. -webmaster
 Tuesday, April 08, 2008 7:44:13 AM
This is a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Wilson Inviting him to a Bar-B-Q. -webmaster
April 7, 2008
Frank Wilson, President and C.E.O.
Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority
From: The Executive Board of Houston METRO F.O.P., Lodge #98
Dear Mr. Wilson,
As the days grow warmer, we realize that Spring is the time for some outdoor fun with family and friends. On Saturday, April 26, Houston METRO F.O.P., Lodge #98 will be hosting a barbecue celebration for members and their families. It will be an afternoon filled with music, fun, and of course, the best barbecue this side of the Rodeo cook-off! We would be honored to have you and your family join us for the afternoon. We appreciate the support that you have shown us over the past few months, as we organized January 6, 2008 and would like to present you with a token of our appreciation. We are excited to celebrate your induction as an Honorary Member of the Houston METRO F.O.P., Lodge #98 and have planned a presentation in your honor. As we continue to grow to now over 125 members, your support is crucial, and we are thankful to know that you are behind us. The barbecue will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, located at 3130 North Freeway and Link.
Please feel free to contact our President, Robert Lozano, to confirm your attendance, as we celebrate this day rain or shine.
Proud to be F.O.P.
Thursday, April 03, 2008 8:54:11 PM
There will be an important discussion at the April 20th meeting concerning the Police and Fire Insurance. If you have this insurance, Please make an extra effort to attend the meeting.
Sunday, March 30, 2008 10:09:21 PM
 Greetings Everyone,
Some of you have received your F.O.P. Membership Card this weekend, and they have been placed in your mailbox at “810”. I have been informed that I should have signed your card prior to issuing them to you, so when we cross paths, please give it to me and I will “autograph” it.
For those of you who did not receive your card, please be patient. It takes some time for the “gains” list to be channeled from our Lodge, the State Lodge, and eventually to the National Lodge.Additionally, if you require changes with your information {address, telephone numbers, etc.} please advise me so that I may make corrections on the F.O.P National Website.
Until Later,
O. Ware, Secretary PROUD TO BE F.O.P
I have changed the "Meeting Minutes" page to the Secretary's page. It is still private, and you can still find the last meeting minutes here. You will also find other information that the Secretary has to pass along. -Webmaster
Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:12:56 AM
Houston METRO K-9s Win Narcotic Detection Awards
Officers from the K-9 unit of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, brought home two awards from the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association seminar held earlier this month in Angleton, Texas.Officer John Wiggins and his K-9 partner Vigo placed first in the patrol competition and Officer Charles Wheeler and his dog Rock placed second."Our unit was one of 75 K-9 teams from Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana that attended this seminar," said Sgt. Tim McClelland, "so it's great to come home with top honors."
METRO's K-9 program was established in 1998 with a single narcotics K-9. Since then, the unit has grown to eight K-9 teams. These teams have provided assistance at many major events and continue to help agencies across Houston with narcotics detection, explosive detection, and criminal apprehension.All METRO police K-9 teams have successfully completed certifications in obedience, patrol, and respective narcotics and explosives detection. For more information about the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, visit www.nndda.org. -February 20 2008 POLICE magazine website
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:54:34 PM
Brothers and Sisters of Houston-METRO FOP Lodge 98,
I have been asked to remind the members if you have not turned in a voided check please do so ASAP. You may turn it in to a member of the Executive Board. -webmaster
02/28/08 10:42:52 PM
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Welcome to the news page. As webmaster, I hope to update this page within 24 hours of a submission. I am open to all ideas from any of my FOP Brothers and Sisters. I would like to not only pass on FOP business here, but any news from any Brother or Sister that they would like to share with the family. This includes injuries, sickness, births, marriages, accomplishments and milestones. -webmaster
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On Monday, May 5, the Houston Police Department began conducting a six-month pilot program entitled the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT). A CIRT consists of an HPD Crisis Intervention Team officer and a licensed mental health clinician who respond together to calls involving individuals with a mental illness. 
on June 15th with your love ones. The position of Sgt.-of-Arms will be voted on at that meeting. The two candidates are Brother Roscoe and Brother Hines. PLEASE make an effort to attend the meeting and vote for the candidate of your choice.
