Dallas Police Association Members Joining Houston Relief Effort
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It's almost impossible to see what's happening in Houston and other parts of Texas and not want to do something. So, help is on the way! Members of the Dallas Police Association (DPA) are heading out, taking donated food and supplies, to help Hurricane Harvey first-responders and storm victims.
The DPA put out a call for donations after members of the Houston Police Department said they were in need of socks and underwear. For some police officers in the city today will make four days since they've been working around the clock. Many Houston officers have been unable to go home because of flooded streets and others homes are underwater.
Dallas officers said the response was so "overwhelming" that the departure time had to pushed back so all the donated items could be inventoried and packed. "They made the call and we're answering. It was a no-brainer," said Dallas police Senior Cpl. Jaime Castro. "They were here for us when we went through July 7. They sent their officers here to offer their support and anything that we needed at that time. And it was a no brainer for us to answer their cal in their time of need."
Today DPD offices will be loading up the relief supplies and heading to Houston with all the collected items and food to serve first-responders in Houston a hot meal.
Members of the Texas Air National Guard are also fueling up C-130s and preparing to head down to the Gulf Coast. National Guard will be flying to Galveston to pick up evacuees and bring them back to North Texas. Evacuations in the city began Monday because of food and water shortages and concerns about more rain on the island.
"We are super excited to be able to help out our neighbors down south and we just want them to know that the Dallas/Fort Worth area is sending down support," said Texas National Guard Major Theresa Chrystal who also had words of encouragement for the soon-to-be evacuees. "We will be there as quick as we can, so just be safe and make sure that you're ready to to get up here and we'll take care of you as soon as we can."
High water and flooded roadways continue to make getting in and out of Houston problematic but Dallas officers are prepared. They say there has been word that some roads in Harris County are drying up, but if their path is blocked they'll have to drive as far as they can and then use a boat to ferry the donated supplies from North Texans.
