HOUSTON — Help is here.
That's the message from state and local officials as law enforcement officers from around the state arrived in Houston on Thursday to lend a helping hand to the Houston Police Department.
What does it mean for the city?
More than 100 officers from more than a dozen departments across the state will provide relief for HPD officers who have been putting an extra emphasis on areas that are still in the dark.
Mayor John Whitmire and acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite were joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other officials at HPD headquarters when the announcement was made. They said they're using a model of collaboration used in other disciplines -- like fire departments and EMS crews -- where outside jurisdictions send help to a city in need.
"I will tell you ... not one, not one balked at that. They were all ready to come and help and I can't say enough. Thanks to all of them for that," Satterwhite said.
The outside officers will be paired up with HPD officers to cover all shifts. Officials said the additional help will bring much-needed relief for Houston police officers to ensure public safety for communities still suffering from power outages.
"This is a great program of collaboration providing public safety looking out for our first responders," Whitmire said.
The cost of having the extra officers will be covered by the state.
Satterwhite said the plan is to use the additional help until Sunday, but it could be stretched past that if CenterPoint hasn't restored sufficient power to the region.