Whitmire, instead, has made it worse by allowing HPD to target people here illegally, even those persons who have not committed any crime other than being here illegally. While people are killing, stealing, raping don’t get as much attention because they are targeting undocumented residents. Those officers have to wait for ICE to arrive, as I believe they are not allowed to transport unless they are arresting the person.
Additional information about the HPD and ICE is here.
Whether Whitmire or the Police Chief makes those decisions, it is a terrible decision that makes our city less safe. “Mayor Whitmire has complete confidence in Chief Diaz. Please contact HPD regarding the shooting and public safety initiatives in the district.”
On March 5, Jose Armando Lainez Argueta had just finished buying supplies for his 5-year-old daughter Paula’s birthday party when he was stopped by two Houston Police Department officers. They had noticed a small crack in the lower right side of his windshield, according to his wife Stephanie Diaz.
Lainez Argueta, 40, showed the officers his Salvadoran ID, Diaz said. The officers did not arrest him for any crime. Instead, they called ICE officers who took him into custody. He is now in the Montgomery Processing Center.
What is the law on a cracked windshield in Texas?
While there isn’t a specific Texas law banning cracked windshields, a police officer can issue a ticket if they believe the damage obstructs your view or impairs your ability to drive safely, potentially leading to a fine.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- No Specific Law, but Discretionary Enforcement: Texas doesn’t have a law directly prohibiting driving with a cracked windshield, but officers can issue tickets if they deem the damage a safety hazard.
Focus on Visibility:
The key factor is whether the crack obstructs your view of the road or impairs your ability to drive safely.
Officer Discretion:
The decision to issue a ticket is at the officer’s discretion, so it’s best to address any windshield damage promptly.
Potential Consequences:
A ticket for a cracked windshield can result in a fine, and if the damage is significant, it could also lead to a failed vehicle inspection.
If you believe that a cracked windshield (a small crack in the corner of a window) is why those HPD officers stopped that person, I have a bridge in San Francisco that I’d like to sell. It seems more probable that they knew that the man was here illegally and decided that they wanted to remove an undocumented immigrant from the streets of Houston.
They had noticed a small crack in the lower right side of his windshield, according to his wife Stephanie Diaz. Source
Is Whitmire refusing to let Council Member Pollard’s funds out of petty jealousy?
Maybe John Whitmire is just pissed that someone that is not White, can come up with more and better initiatives than he can surrounded by a lily white staff. Council Member Pollard had commented that his initiatives may be why crime was down in District J.
Edward Pollard:
As crime rates in J City are going down, crime rates around Houston are rising. Initiatives my office have put in place such as having license plate reader cameras, and having community policing programs like the District J Patrol, are both recommended in the latest review by Ernst & Young to improve public safety city-wide. #togetherwewill
Chief J. Noe Diaz
Chief of Police
Biography
Chief J. Noe Diaz was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor John Whitmire on August 14, 2024. Prior to his current appointment he served as the Chief of Police for the Katy Police Department.