PEARLAND, Texas — The City of Pearland has seen explosive growth in recent years and keeping residents safe in one of the country’s fastest growing cities can be a challenge in and of itself.
As the community expands, Pearland police officers are doing their part to make sure the community remains safe.
Pearland police officer Chad Rogers said it’s about reminding people that police officers are the good guys.
The city has more than 60 events planned for National Night Out.
Rogers said it gives neighbors a chance to get to know the men and women that protect them face-to-face.
Rogers said he has been with Pearland PD for 13 years. In that time, he’s seen the city’s population boom.
However, he said the relationship citizens have with department has not changed.
“It doesn’t really matter the size of the city in that relationship we have with the 125,000 population versus back when I started was probably around 60,000.” he said.
According to a new Wallethub report, Pearland is the third fast-growing city in the country.
Joshua Lee, director of communication for the City of Pearland said, “Given it’s ten times the size it was when I was a kid, it still feels like the same community. It still has a similar look and feel to it.”
He believes it’s a place people want to be.
“Things like our parks and our trails, our infrastructure, education, safety; all of those things combined really make Pearland the community that it is and make it a desirable place for people to live.” Lee said.
With a quick expansion comes problems like more crime, but Rogers said the department adapts to the changing times.
“No matter how big it gets; if the numbers keep growing, they keep growing but the Pearland Police Department will always be there to serve this community at any time needed,” Rogers said.
The city has also made a commitment to invest in first responders as the city grows.
“They take pride in Pearland and they want their families to grow up here and feel safe when they’re out and about and they know when they call the Pearland Police Department, they can trust we’re going to be there and we’re going to do our job.” Rogers said.
The department is also focused on community outreach. They say it helps bridge the gap between police and citizens no matter how big the city gets and events like National Night Out help do just that.