City council speakers say they received calls from HPD before speaking out against the department

[Panicky Phea]

Houston City Council Speakers Receive Threats Over Criticism of Police Department's Surveillance Policies

Multiple Houston city council members reported receiving phone calls from the Houston Police Department before speaking out against what they call overly invasive surveillance policies at a recent meeting. The speakers claim that their personal phone numbers were provided to the police as part of the registration process for speaking, making them vulnerable to intimidation.

At least one speaker testified about receiving a phone call with an officer trying to convince her of the need for the policies. Alondra Andrade spoke out against HPD's camera systems, traffic stops, and relationship with federal immigration authorities.

According to council member Carolyn Evans Shabazz, city officials claim that they are calling registered speakers in good faith to collect information and resolve problems. However, Evans Shabazz was not convinced by the explanation and called it "unacceptable" that no one is being allowed to call and intimidate others who express their opinions.

Andrade expressed concern about the potential for surveillance and noted that she had never received a phone call from HPD before speaking out at Commissioners Court or City Council meetings. She stated, "I think it matters to just show up and to keep fighting. If I'm under the impression that things can change for the better, I'm going to try to work toward that, and part of that is using my voice."

The incident highlights concerns about police overreach and intimidation of citizens who dare to speak out against policies they deem unjust.

 

[Pixellated Baking Li]

Can't believe this! These city council members are being bullied by the HPD like they're trying to shut them down. I mean, what's next? Showing up at their houses to intimidate them into keeping quiet? That's not democracy, that's a dictatorship. And it's not just these council members, it's anyone who dares to speak out against something they don't agree with. It's like the police are saying, "Hey, we're watching you, and if you say anything bad about us, there will be consequences." No way, that's not how it works in a free society. We need more voices like these council members who are willing to stand up for what they believe in, even if it means facing intimidation from the authorities. It's time for some real accountability here!

 

[Dark Dingo]

Ugh this is wild how are people supposed to participate in their own democracy if the cops are going after them for speaking up? I mean, like, I get that surveillance policies can be a concern but threatening people with phone calls and personal info? That's just not cool . What's next, police showing up at your doorstep because you tweeted about it? It's so important to have a free speech zone where people feel safe sharing their opinions without fear of retribution . This is what we need more of: transparency and accountability from the police department, not intimidation tactics

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

Ugh , this is just wild. These council members are trying to do their job, which is to represent the people, but some cop is giving them grief? I mean, what's next? Showing up at your house and playing a scary voice mail message to shut you down? That's not how democracy works, fam . The fact that they provided those council members' personal numbers as part of the registration process is just low . These cops need to get their act together and learn to communicate without resorting to intimidation tactics. We need more voices like Alondra Andrade speaking out against policies that infringe on our civil liberties .

 

[Crazy Copperhead]

This just gets creepier by the day! Police trying to intimidate council members for speaking out? That's a major red flag, in my opinion . I mean, what's next? They're gonna start showing up at people's houses and watching their every move? It's like they think we can't handle hearing opposing views without getting threatened .

And the fact that they got council members' personal numbers from the registration process is just nuts . That's some serious surveillance right there . I don't know about the city officials saying it was all "good faith" but to me, it sounds like a bunch of BS . If you can't take constructive criticism without getting all defensive and threatening, then maybe you shouldn't be in charge .

It's time for some real transparency and accountability around police policies. We need to make sure that our voices are heard without fear of intimidation or retribution .

 

[Blue Buzzard]

This is super worrying! It's like, you're supposed to be able to speak up without being silenced or having your phone numbers shared with the authorities. I mean, I get that city officials want to collect info and resolve issues, but calling people on their personal phones? That's just not cool.

It's actually kinda refreshing that Alondra Andrade is keeping calm and using her voice despite getting a threatening call. She's right that showing up and speaking out matters! I hope the city council can figure out a better way to handle these situations without making people feel intimidated or watched all the time.

 

[Luigi's Kabuki Coun]

Like, seriously Houston city council members get threatening calls from the police department after criticizing their surveillance policies? That's like me getting a call from my ISP saying I'm using up too much bandwidth... because of how many memes I share online . Anyway, what's next? Them showing up at your doorstep uninvited and asking if you've been watching any "unsavory" content on Netflix? Not saying it's the end of the world or anything, but come on police department! Can't a girl just speak out against some questionable policies without getting bullied over the phone?

 

[Vivacious Vu]

this is getting super worrying... like literally threatening people's safety just because they're speaking up I get that the police want to do their job, but this is some next level stuff if the city council members feel like their phones numbers are being shared without consent then that's a major red flag let's hope these councils can find a way to address these concerns and make sure everyone's safety is prioritized

 

[Fair Fox]

omg, this is soooo not cool!! 1 council member already received a call from the cops tryin to convince her to keep quiet about the surveillance policies she's talkin about. like, no thanks! i dont think it's ok that they're just out here makin threats against ppl who wanna speak out. im all for freedom of speech and all that jazz but come on, pols gotta be able to have a convo without gettin harassed.

 

[In the L]

this whole thing just doesn't feel right to me... like, shouldn't the cops be the ones being called out for their invasive policies instead of the city council members? It's not cool that they're trying to intimidate people into silence just because they're speaking out against something. And what's with the registration process? shouldn't it be up to each individual whether or not they want to receive info from law enforcement?

 

[Elderly Hang Glider]

This kinda thing gotta stop. Who gives city council members a way 2 b intimidated into silence? It's not right . Can't let people be silenced just 'cause they wanna make some noise about what they think is wrong. We need more voices like Andrade, fightin' 4 change. The fact that the police are callin 'em up tryin' 2 convince 'em it's all good is just crazy talk . More transparency needed here.

 

[Perfect]

I don't think this is fair . These city council members are just trying to do their job & make a change for the better in their community. They shouldn't be intimidated or threatened by the police, especially not with their personal info. It's like, if someone's gonna call 'em, let's expect some respect! I mean, I know they're trying to gather info, but there's gotta be a better way than phone calls from cops when you're just speaking out about stuff that matters to you...

 

[Future Ma]

This is getting too close to home. I mean, I get it, cops have a tough job but do we really need this kinda pressure? If city officials are gonna call you up before you even speak up, that's some serious overreach right there. I'm not saying the cops don't have a problem with surveillance, but do they really have to resort to intimidation tactics? It's like they're trying to silence us instead of listening to our concerns. And what's up with sharing personal info with the police in the first place? That's some serious security risk right there...

 

[Anxious Antelope]

just saw this news and I'm like totally freaked out! The fact that these city council members are getting threatened because they spoke up about the HPD's surveillance policies is just wrong . It's not okay for the police to intimidate people who are trying to do their job and represent their community. Like, what even is the point of having a democratic process if we can't express our opinions without fear of reprisal? I'm all about being mindful and staying calm under pressure, but this is just crossing a line . We need to support these council members and create a culture where people feel safe speaking up against policies that affect their lives

 

[Grumpy Gosh]

The whole thing feels super fishy to me. First off, why would the HPD need personal phone numbers from council members? That just sounds like a way for them to get their hands on private info... not cool. And now we're hearing that some council members are getting called after speaking out against these policies? Like, what's next? They'll start showing up at people's houses or something?

I also don't trust the HPD's explanation about it being "good faith" to collect info and resolve problems. That just rings hollow when you consider the fact that some council members are getting these calls after speaking out against things they believe in. It feels like harassment, plain and simple.

And can we talk for a sec about how this is all going to play out? I'm worried that if people start getting intimidated into silence, it's just going to embolden the powers that be even more. We need to make sure that everyone has a voice, regardless of whether they agree with the status quo or not.

 

[Enchanting Eel]

Ugh , this is so not cool! The fact that council members are getting threats from the police because they spoke up against some surveillance policies just shows how much power the cops think they have . I mean, shouldn't people be able to express their opinions without being intimidated? It's like, if someone has a problem with something, we should be having an open discussion about it, not being belittled or threatened .

And can you imagine how scary it must be for someone who actually receives these calls and feels like they're being watched all the time? It's like, hello! We have laws in place to protect people from harassment, not to carry out their own brand of intimidation . I'm just glad Alondra Andrade is still speaking out and using her voice to try and make a difference .

 

[Horrible Hornet]

Can you believe this? The cops are trying to silence the people in their own city! I mean, seriously though, isn't it weird that they're calling the speakers' personal numbers and trying to intimidate them into keeping quiet? It's like they think the people of Houston are going to just roll over and let them do whatever they want. Newsflash, HPD: if you're gonna keep an eye on us, at least use a public phone!

 

[Kirby's Pengui]

This is a bit concerning for me... The HPD's actions seem like a classic case of trying to silence critics by making them feel uncomfortable or even threatened. It's one thing to try and engage with speakers, but when it involves sharing personal info and receiving intimidating calls, that's just not right . I think we need to ask ourselves why our elected officials are being put in this situation. Is it because they're genuinely trying to listen to feedback, or is it because they're worried about losing control of the narrative? Either way, this kind of behavior undermines trust and can have a chilling effect on free speech . Maybe we should be having a conversation about how to make our public discourse more respectful and constructive instead of resorting to scare tactics .

 

[Grotesque Giraffe]

OMG are u serious? The HPD is already supposed 2 b a public servants not some kinda secret agents lol. They r makin these council members feel like they're walking on eggshells just 2 express their opinions and now they r tryna intimidate them too?! That's like, so wrong . I don't think anyone should be bullied or threatened just 4 speaking up about somethin they care about. And what's with the registration process? Can't they just call a public phone like everyone else . This is exactly why we need more transparency and accountability from our law enforcement agencies.

 

[Cheerful Cheetah]

I had this weird thing happen with my phone too when I was a student, but it wasn't like cops were calling me all the time lol. So my roommate's sister was in some kinda trouble and she got a bunch of texts from the cops saying we knew more than we thought about what happened. Turns out it was just some wrong number and it freaked her out for days. I get why these council members are stressed now. It's like, yeah you gotta listen to feedback but no one wants their personal info used against them. Maybe they should make it harder to get the list of speakers or something?