Women In Community Service Inc.

N.E. PIP Car Show Was A BIG Success

Oct 05, 2000

It's been three years since we have put on the car show, but you wouldn't know it if you had been there on that HOT Saturday at the Houston Police Departments' Police Academy on Aldine Westfield Rd.

All the volunteers showed up with great anticipation of the days events, and we were not disappointed at the turn-out.

The banners were strung and balloons festooned the ticket and registration area. The Houston Parks and Recreation Dept. had their brand new portable stage set up for the DJ. Cars of all types started rolling in as soon as the gates were opened. Well tuned engines purred while others rumbled, roared and popped down the driveway to get classified and registered. There were Classics, Hot Rods, Experimentals, Kit Cars, Motorcycles, Law Enforcement Vehicles, Trucks, Bugs, and MORE. The paint jobs sparkled and vibrated under the bright Houston sun. Umbrellas and brightly colored canopies soon dotted the display areas as participants set up for a day of showing, sharing, bragging, and good natured competition.

The purpose of the Car Show is the same as the PIP purpose; to bring the community together with law enforcement and other agencies, in order to affect crime in those communities. PIP has a proven track record of doing just that.

The Glen Lee area (7C50), where WICS is headquartered, is a perfect example of how a good working relationship with law enforcement can positively affect a community. Over ten years ago, this area had the dubious reputation for being something of a "wild west" place. The good people were locked up behind their doors and the bad guys roamed the streets until all hours of the night. Calls for service to law enforcement were rare, as residents were afraid to report crimes for fear of retaliation or had developed an attitude of apathy or just plain callousness.

A resident who had moved into the neighborhood during this time was taken aback at the attitudes. She had come from a background of neighborliness and community, where people talked to each other and also took a stand against crime.
It wasn't long after, that she put together a group of residents that formed the first civic group and began making in-roads to City Departments to R & R the neighborhood infrastructure.

The next thing was starting up another group that addressed the crime issues, our Citizens On Patrol, an HPD program. These dedicated and concerned residents became immediate members of the N.E. PIP. Sgt.Dave Harrell of the NE HPD Community Services Department was our first sponsor and mentor. Soon we were taken under the wing of Off.Larry Leyba and Off.Charles'Tank'Tanksley. Past PIP Coordinators have been Off.DK Williams and Off.Dwayne Ulrich. Presently we have been blessed with a fine, caring, man in Off.Barry Harris. These officers, along with many fellow officers, have led the way for the wonderful relationship that we now have with the Department as a whole, and for the individual relationships that we have developed with dedicated, caring law enforcement officers.

THANKS 'TANK' FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE!

It is the very essence of the Positive Interaction Program, to build trust and respect, by educating and fostering understanding between law enforcement and the civilian population. That is what has happened in Glen Lee and that is why we enjoy an improved quality of life.

The Car Show has been a successful fund raising event for many years now and we have seen the fruit of our labors in the many young people who have received scholarships and gone on to better their lives by furthering their education, many of them stating that their intention is to come back to their present communities to make changes for the better. Many have returned to PIP and reported their progress. It is very evident that these young people need and deserve our support. They are our future.

We plan on continuing the Car Show tradition (as long the Powers That Be will let us). Every time we have a car show we get better and better at it and next year we plan to add more. We all enjoyed the HPD displays of the helicopter, the K-9 officer, the SWAT tank, and other displays. Many who came to see the cars/trucks/cycles/etc., also indulged in the turkey legs, sausage on a stick, B-B-Q, Po-Boys, drinks and more. One of the biggest draws was the Bad Boys Chase. I dared to take this 'ride'.

Since I'm a 'she' and the front seat passenger was also a 'she', we were the Bad 'Girls'. Our driver, an HPD Driver Trainer, (whose name I will insert here when I get it)made sure we were buckled in and didn't have anything 'loose' that might 'fly around'. (I should have taken my clue at this point and returned to the spectators area, but I didn't). (I later learned that the back seat was not for the faint at heart, kinda' like the last car on the roller coaster!) Anyway, we began with a jack rabbit run down the straightway, 0 to about 60 in 10 seconds (seemed more like 160) ... IN REVERSE!!! Just before we were about to drive off the asphalt he hit the brakes and did a J turn into a curve and we shot off around the course on squealing tires that seemed to me were about to leave the track at any second! He spun around and fish tailed the car several times then took us back to where we started. Boy was I glad it was over! WRONG!!! What I had failed to notice, is that two regular patrol cars had positioned themselves on the track, and were standing by! HANG ON HONEY!!! The chase was on! Fishtails, turns, backward escapes, on and off the track, J turns and schreeching brakes ... we were on the run from the law! (I'm worn out just remembering it)The good guys finally out foxed us and cornered us at the end of the track, we were flanked by the two patrol cars, sirens and lights flashing, and the officers jumped out of their cars demanding that we 'Get Out of the Car!'. My first instinct was to release my seatbelt and get out of there! But as soon as I saw the officers and the big smiles across their faces all I could do was be thankful that it was over! In retrospect, it was fun. It was so much fun that I don't think I should have that much fun again.

If you should make it to the next 'Show and Go', I recommend the Bad Boys Chase. I'll watch, you ride.

We certainly owe thanks to Chief C.O.Bradford who gave us the go-ahead for the car show. Also, the other Asst.Chiefs, Lts., Sgts., and so many others who had to make provisions for the officers, resources, overtime, etc. that were necessary to put this together/take it apart/and put it away 'til next time.

Sponsors

Timber Ridge Apt's.
Thrifty Car Rental
Swiss Village Apt's.
American Launder Land
Jensen Bazaar
Pilot Corporation
Avis
HB Anderson & Sons,LCC
Link Staffing
Jo and Lee Corporation
Deltron Transmissions
Hi-Lo Auto Parts
(List is incomplete)

HPD Personell

Off.Roy Thompson
Off.Robert Smith
Off.Henry Canales
Off.Barry Harris
Off.Charles'Tank'Tanksley
Lt.Staney
Capt.Goralski
Cheryl
(List is incomplete)

... and the BEST GROUP of PIP MEMBER VOLUNTEERS on the PLANET!!!!

EJ & Ruby Faust
Bobbie Martin
Joyce Quartapella
Mr.Cooper
Ruby Tucker
Pat Hosea
David & Gloria McCormick
Brandon Baxter
Joyce Noorine
Sharon Roark
Phil & Thelma Harrison
Adrienne & Gabriel Rodriguez
Jimmy & Ruthie Ames
(List is incomplete)

I'll be back to complete the names of all those who worked so hard in putting this Great event together!

We were blessed that day. The trophies were given, the food was eaten, the drinks drunk, the smiles and hugs given and taken. We ended the day tired, tanned and throughly satisfied with the outcome. We now have funds for deserving students this year and are looking forward to 'Show & Go 2001'!!

Hope To See You There :)

PS. Please check back for the update on our list of great workers.

WICS