When Meagan Blackwell, a Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC) for Precinct 4, first met Commissioner Lesley Briones at a groundbreaking ceremony for a drainage project, she heard the words that would forever shape her perspective on public service at the Precinct.

After months of advocacy led by Commissioner Lesley Briones, Harris County’s first-ever fireworks sales season for the Diwali holiday kicks off on October 25. This moment is a milestone for the region’s South Asian community and a marker of progress in Harris County’s efforts to celebrate its diverse communities.

Teenagers and young adults can now access free health services at the Baylor College of Medicine’s Teen Health Clinic at Precinct 4’s Bayland Community Center.

In September, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones and her colleagues made a significant step forward in supporting survivors of domestic violence by approving the 2025 budget, which includes an ongoing commitment of $1.5 million per year to the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF).

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones and the Baylor College of Medicine hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the new, free Teen Health Clinic at Bayland Community Center, located in the southwest region of Precinct 4. This collaboration will expand access to world-class Texas Medical Center-quality preventative care for underserved youth ages 13 to 24.

​Commissioner Lesley Briones has appointed Dr. Jody S. Lee and Rufi Natarajan to the Houston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #1 (St. George’s Place).

Whether you want to trick-or-treat, compete in a costume contest, or come to a potluck, Precinct 4 is here to ensure you have a ghoulishly good time. So, grab your costume, some treats, and your family and visit one of the events below to celebrate Halloween with your community.

Najat Elsayed has been helping everyone she could since she was a child. In middle school, she tried to find ways to send supplies and resources to people in war zones. In high school, she fundraised and crowdsourced supplies for a family in need, often using her own funds and resources to try and give the children normal childhood experiences.

Harris County Precinct 4 has been awarded an $11.3 million grant from the United States Department of the Interior for its Burnett Bayland Park Improvements Project, marking a major milestone in revitalizing this vital community space

Every year, the County must approve a budget to fund all County operations – from roads and bridges to law enforcement and affordable housing. This year, Commissioners Court approved a $2.67 billion budget, which affects everyone who lives, works, and visits Harris County. The budget is funded primarily by Harris County residents’ property taxes.

Commissioner Briones’ measure to allow the sale of fireworks for Diwali, in partnership with community organizations and the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, passed with 4 votes. The Diwali fireworks season will include a public safety educational initiative and will be subject to Commissioners Court’s annual authorization.

Commissioners Court adopted a $2.67 billion budget that addresses Harris County’s growing needs with important investments in infrastructure, courts and law enforcement, public health, stable housing, and government operations.

Every year, in mid-September, it is common to encounter advertisements, products, and activities dedicated to Hispanic Heritage Month. But do you know how this celebration began in the United States?

Cada año, a mediados de septiembre, es normal encontrarse con anuncios, productos y actividades dedicadas al Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Pero ¿conoces la razón y el origen de esta celebración en Estados Unidos?

Ever wonder how you get the services you need? This past Tuesday, Sept. 10, Harris County Commissioners decided on a budget for next year that they’ll be voting to approve on September 19.

With a focus on public safety and strengthening our infrastructure, Commissioner Lesley Briones voted to advance a general fund budget for fiscal year (FY) 2025 that will address the critical needs of Harris County residents.

After completing their 2022 school safety recommendations the Commission was dormant until reconvened by Commissioner Briones in 2024. With the new bylaws approved by Commissioners Court on August 27, the Commission is officially a permanent, standing body to better deliver progress on recommendations that enhance safety in schools.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a plan by Commissioner Lesley Briones to strengthen and expand the Harris County Safe School Commission (SSC).

Commissioner Lesley Briones has appointed Dr. Katherine Bacon to the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Board of Trustees, Position 4, for a term ending August 27, 2026.

Commissioner Lesley Briones has appointed one individual and recommended two others to the TIRZ 20 Board. TIRZ 20, located in Southwest Houston between Alief and Bellaire, works to address mobility deficiencies in the area and provides resources for the redevelopment of the Sharpstown Mall and Bellaire/Fondren commercial corridors.

Harris County Precinct 4 is working with local partners such as the Common Market and the Houston Food Bank to help get food to those who need it most. Harris County Public Health’s Connect program also assists eligible families sign up for federal, state, and local benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Throughout Precinct 4, there are also dozens of organizations and programs dedicated to serving the community by providing free food and resources.

Dive into Devon Carvajal’s story and see how she went from working at Mary Jo Peckham Aquatic & Fitness Center as a lifeguard at 17 years old, to becoming its manager!

On August 6, Commissioners Court unanimously approved to move forward with implementing Commissioner Briones’s court resources package. This critical investment, developed by Commissioner Briones, will target points in the life cycle of a case that are delayed by several factors, such as defendants missing their court cases, mental health or competency case challenges, and a lack of cohesive management systems and practices within the courts.

Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a plan spearheaded by Commissioner Lesley Briones that will make critical investments in Harris County’s District Criminal Courts to advance the quality and efficiency of justice.

Over 2 million residents in Harris County lost power, leaving residents without air conditioning or refrigeration for days. As soon as it was safe, Precinct 4 teams mobilized to clear debris from roadways and streets and provided critical resources and services to constituents.

A lifelong Houstonian, Jeffrey Louis doesn’t know if he would have made it to the world stage if it were not for growing up in Alief — located in the heart of Harris County Precinct 4.

Saulnier has been Harris County Precinct 4’s jill-of-all-trades for 25 years. Her day-to-day tasks include everything from payroll and purchasing, to helping improve Precinct 4’s parks by overseeing contracts with sports associations, suggesting new fixtures, and helping the public make reservations.

Commissioner Lesley Briones has appointed Charmaine LeBlanc​ to the Harris County Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. ​

Kevin Nguyen (He/They) is a first-generation, Vietnamese-American Texan who was raised Catholic by two immigrant parents.

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, communities across Precinct 4 have been hit hard, and hundreds of thousands of people are still without power. On Wednesday, Commissioner Lesley Briones and the Precinct 4 team served nearly 2,000 families at our two distribution sites. We are continuing to activate distribution sites across Precinct 4 and will be expanding the resources offered in the coming days.

Fireworks are an Independence Day staple we all love! Yet, it is best to leave these displays to the professionals, and as a reminder, it is illegal to set off fireworks within city limits throughout Texas. Instead, I invite you to watch your city- and community-sponsored fireworks displays; Houston, Tomball, Katy, and others will have fireworks celebrations.

Harris County was awarded the most National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards out of any county in Texas for 28 outstanding programs and services it offers to its more than 4.7 million residents.

Kaper is an experienced criminal defense attorney with more than ten years of representing individuals in federal and state court.

Commissioner Lesley Briones has appointed Vladimir Naranjo, PE to the Harris County Industrial Development Corporation Board, which acts as one of the County’s levers for promoting growth and development. ​

Mike Conner, superintendent of the Trailblazers and Trades team for Harris County Precinct 4, has always enjoyed the outdoors.

Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder that while we have made significant progress, we must still address the historic and systemic inequities that exist today. At Precinct 4 and throughout Harris County, we are committed to championing equitable policies and initiatives to advance opportunity and justice for all people. Here are a few examples of our work.

Harris County Commissioners approved proposals to continue, strengthen, and expand the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) program. These policies will support our county’s mobile crisis responders and protect HART, ensure its integrity, and establish clear evaluation criteria and oversight.

For nearly 250 years, members of our Armed Forces have laid down their lives in service of the United States of America, protecting our nation and fighting for the idea that all people are created equal.

$6.3 million project will improve flood resilience for communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, in collaboration with the Houston Bar Association (HBA), the Harris County State District Courts, and the Office of the County Engineer held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week to commemorate a new lactation pod at the Harris County Civil Courthouse.

With a unanimous vote, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved Commissioner Lesley Briones' appointment of Adrian Ozuna to the Housing Finance Corporation.

$6.2 million ARPA investment aims to reduce the harmful developmental impacts of childhood trauma by increasing access to early intervention

Pride Houston 365 defines the Ally Grand Marshal as a person who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the Houston LGBTQIA+ community.

Neighborhood severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey gets $13.5 million in infrastructure upgrades to mitigate flooding

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we at Harris County Precinct 4 are highlighting organizations throughout the County and the U.S. that exist to help those living with one or more mental health conditions. Whether you or someone you know is facing challenges, these resources stand ready to offer guidance and assistance. Save the resources below, as you never know when you might be able to lend a helping hand or benefit from the services yourself.

Harris County will lead a coalition of Texas counties to expand affordable, reliable energy

After a successful inaugural year, round 2 of landmark infrastructure partnership initiative launches

Commissioner Lesley Briones is thrilled to announce the appointment of Aisha Dennis to the Harris County Public Defender’s Board.

Commissioner Lesley Briones, in partnership with the City of Houston and the Houston Police Department (HPD), highlighted the positive impacts of the new gates within the Bissonnet Corridor.

Commissioner Lesley Briones surprised Emma Cardenas, the first winner of Harris County Precinct 4’s bus design contest, “From Palette to Pavement: Student Art on Precinct 4 Buses!”

Whether your family loves to explore birds, fishing, and nature in the outdoors or prefers crafting and watching afternoon movies inside, Harris County Precinct 4 has activities for kids of all ages and interests.

Blacklock-Sloan's Black teachers instilled a love for history in her at an early age, stoking a passion to document the lost stories and history of Black Americans’ triumphs and struggles.

New parents visiting court or heading back to work at Harris County will soon have three new areas to privately pump and feed their children, thanks to a donation approved by Harris County commissioners during their Feb. 27 meeting.

Commissioner Briones Joins Commissioner Garcia on Regional Planning Board

Prior to the early 1990s, not even congregation members knew the 150-year history of McGee Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. When Alvin Wright started his research into the history at the behest of the church, few expected what he found.

Commissioner Lesley Briones has appointed Bryan Sanchez, a seasoned executive with 20-years of experience in the real estate investment management industry, to the Harris County Finance Corporation.

Amid the aromatic symphony of spices, simmering pots of lamb curry, and the movement of his mother’s and aunt’s hands to transform mounds of dough into crisp kingklip empanadas, chef Casey Castro’s passion for food flourished.

Upon taking office, Commissioner Lesley Briones launched a 12-stop listening tour to hear directly from Precinct 4 constituents. Hundreds of residents attended to meet the Commissioner and provide constructive feedback about the issues most important to their communities.

In addition to delivering critical county services, Commissioner Briones is focused on building a diverse coalition of leadership in Harris County. This means working toward an equitable distribution of resources and empowering communities to have a seat at the table.

Every resident in Harris County deserves access to quality education, housing, and job opportunities.

Harris County Precinct 4 is empowering communities to shape the future of their parks, green spaces, and infrastructure. Through its first-ever planning division, Precinct 4 is bringing together community planners and residents to develop plans that will revitalize signature green spaces, increase mobility and connectivity, and enhance the quality of life in its communities.

Apart from maintaining over 1,600 miles of roads and over 14,000 acres of green space, Harris County Precinct 4 worked to preserve and create infrastructure to support and connect communities

Public safety is, and will remain, the top priority for Harris County Precinct 4. As a mother of three young daughters, a former judge, and someone who has been a victim, Commissioner Briones believes in investing in all parts of the justice system.

This Black History Month — and throughout the year — we recognize that while systemic and racial injustices have disproportionately affected the lives of Black Americans, we honor the triumphs, adversity, and sacrifices they have made throughout history to provide a framework for other social movements to achieve progress.

Houston Ballet’s Lauren Anderson has roots in Harris County Commissioner Precinct 4. She graduated from Lamar High School in 1982 at the age of 17 – one year before joining Houston Ballet’s corps de ballet. Four years after joining the ballet full-time, she earned the title of soloist. Three years later, she became only the second Black female ballerina to ever be promoted to principal, the highest rank a ballerina can earn.

A cohort of the school’s graduate students will serve as interns and receive hands-on experience addressing community issues like homelessness, food insecurity, and eviction, all while bringing a wealth of cutting-edge research to keep Precinct 4 on the cusp of social worker innovation.

Commissioner Lesley Briones launched four advisory committees in May 2023, covering high-priority areas: justice and safety, health, infrastructure, and housing and homelessness. Each committee is comprised of a diverse group of subject matter experts who have diligently worked to compile actionable recommendations to improve Precinct 4, which they presented to Commissioner Briones Jan. 22 and 23.

Residents spoke directly to project consultant and the Precinct 4 team to express concerns about the need for more sidewalks to connect neighborhoods to schools and suggested increasing lanes on narrow roads. Some residents were optimistic about how the anticipated changes from the Katy East Community Plan and Mobility Study will foster greater connectivity in unincorporated Katy.

Naturalize Now, Houston! That’s the message local government and civic partners are sending to 300,000 lawful permanent residents in the region, who are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, and haven’t already.

From road and drainage improvements to new sidewalks and trails, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones is completing work in the Greater Katy area while also looking toward the future.

Funded by federal dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act, the program will bring 140 boxes of fresh, locally sourced produce for distribution at three Precinct 4 community centers biweekly. The program will run throughout 2024 to help address food insecurity.

​​As we all prepare for the upcoming winter weather event, the team at Precinct 4 stands ready to support our community. In addition to our Road & Bridge crews preparing our roads and facilities, we are making arrangements for a warming center at Bayland Community Center (6400 Bissonnet Street).

With the safety of our community and constituents in mind, all Harris County Precinct 4 community centers, senior education centers, fitness centers and education centers will be closed Saturday, Jan. 13 through Tuesday, Jan. 16. This is due to the upcoming threat of extreme winter weather.

​Everything we do at Precinct 4 is grounded in our commitment to serving you and your families. Our mission is to advance opportunity and justice for all. We have prioritized justice and safety, infrastructure, health, education and economic opportunity, and good government.

New $4 million ARPA investment will increase access to justice for all parties in the eviction process

On December 19, Commissioner Lesley Briones proudly appointed Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca to the Harris County Safe School Commission.

On December 19, Commissioners Court officially appointed Meghan Fairbanks and Diamond Stylz to the Commission.

More than 16 miles of multi-modal mobility enhancements are planned for the Westpark Tollway Corridor under a new partnership between the City of Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), officials announced Thursday afternoon.

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, City of Houston Council Member Edward Pollard, St. George Place Redevelopment Authority/Tax Increment Investment Zone 1, and community partners celebrated the completion of a sidewalk project crucial to hike-and-bike mobility in a dense portion of southwest Houston.

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones in partnership with Shell and the Energy Corridor District officially opened the gathering space and container art mural at Energy Hill at Terry Hershey Park.

Over a dozen small-business owners converged Dec. 8 at Harris County Precinct 4’s Tracy Gee Community Center to get expert advice and resources to help grow their businesses.

Nandini Seth has extensive experience in executing and managing large urban planning projects for various communities in the United States. In her role with Precinct 4, she works closely with the Harris County Engineering Department, the consulting community, constituents, and state legislatures amongst other stakeholders.

Dr. Andrew Juan brings 10 years of academic and practical experience in flood mitigation.

Workshop launches the multiple community engagement meetings to reimagine Bayland Park

Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday, urges shoppers to patronize local businesses for holiday gift-buying. Commissioner Briones is taking that day a step further and – in a commitment to supporting local small businesses year-round – is connecting business owners and entrepreneurs to valuable resources.

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones and her newly launched nonprofit, Precinct 4 Forward partnered with local businesses to distribute Thanksgiving meals to underserved and food insecure families.

Our three main goals for the evening were to experience the neighborhood from the perspective of a pedestrian, educate our partners and stakeholders on key concepts of nighttime design such as lighting, safety and placemaking, and encourage stakeholder interest in urban design and nocturnal issues.

5th Gun Buyback Event Continued County-City Partnership to Prevent Accidental Shootings, Theft of Unused Firearms, and Firearm-related Deaths

If you're looking for help -- or looking to help for Thanksgiving -- here's a list of resources that are putting food on the table:

Precinct 4 remains committed to providing the highest level of service – with expanded programming options – to our constituents. To advance that commitment, we are proud to announce nine new and returning fitness instructors will be leading classes at all community centers.

Freed Park – including community center, greenspace, and community garden – transitions to Harris County Precinct 4 Parks

New facilities and expanded resources are coming for Harris County’s most vulnerable residents after voters overwhelmingly approved the $2.5 billion Harris Health bond on November 7, 2023.

This Veterans Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to every one of the men and women for their unwavering service and devotion to preserving the liberties we cherish. It’s because of their selflessness that our democracy is preserved, and as civilians, we owe them our resolute support and utmost appreciation.

Commissioner Briones Partners with Harris County Sheriff’s Office and City of Houston to Continue Gun Buyback Program. Part of City-County Efforts to Prevent Accidental Shootings, Theft of Unused Firearms, and Firearm-related Deaths 

Harris County Precinct 4 is the proud workplace for 17 veterans, who served our country in the U.S. armed forces and continue to serve residents every day.

Months after Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council distributed new round of $4.7 million, community-based organizations report on the fund’s lifesaving impact

Rixi Castillo was appointed by Commissioner Briones to the Harris County Essential Workers Board, with a unanimous vote from the Harris County Commissioners Court.

Harris County Commissioners Court voted today to name Diana Ramirez the permanent County Administrator. She has been serving as Interim County Administrator since Administrator Dave Berry’s resignation.

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones led an investment of $1,091,100 in federal American Rescue Plan Funding (ARPA) to reduce the backlog of eviction appeals cases in Harris County. This measure was passed today with a unanimous vote, and will cover the cost of an associate judge and coordinator to staff an eviction appeal docket through 2026.

Commissioner Lesley Briones voted to approve the Apprenticeship Advantage Initiative because the program has the potential to strengthen the regional workforce and help keep Harris County a global competitor.