Help for the vulnerable: Bellaire police, city staff will begin grocery, medication deliveries Thursday

By Charlotte Aguilar

In what is certain to become part of its “small town in a big city” legacy of heroic gestures, Bellaire is offering its most vulnerable populations a hand in getting groceries and prescriptions during the global coronavirus crisis.

By appointment, starting Thursday (March 19), Bellaire police officers and other city staff will pickup curbside H-E-B orders (click here) from the Bellaire store or medications from Bellaire pharmacies and deliver them to senior citizens 65 and older and those with disabilities who are homebound or for whom traveling is a challenge.

Eligibility requirements for the program, according to information provided by Officer John Edwards:

• Only open to residents of the city of Bellaire.
• Resident has special needs that make travel difficult or is 65 years or older.
• Pickups will only be available from the Bellaire H-E-B or a pharmacy within Bellaire city limits.
• Verification on prescriptions will be performed upon delivery.
• Days and times of delivery are limited and must be scheduled with Bellaire police.

Residents are encouraged to explore other options first that could be more suitable for their needs.

Those wishing to schedule a delivery should contact Edwards at 713-662-8103 or by email at jedwards@bellairepolice.com.

As for how sanitary Bellaire PD’s vehicles and officers are, Chief Byron Holloway tells Essentials/Instant News that because of its jail and its contact with “so many people in various circumstances, we have always used precautionary measures,” including disinfecting surfaces and patrol cars with an alcohol mixture.

In addition, Holloway says, each patrol car has been equipped since last fall with high-level personal protection equipment kits, with more on the way, and has increased its disinfecting efforts in the police/courts building itself, especially in public areas.

The chief said for the general public, his department “has a tiered response plan that is not available for discussion at this time,” but reported that on March 3 his staff began preparing as if it were in hurricane season.

”We have challenges, but nothing we can’t overcome,” he said.