A message from La Marque City Manager Tink Jackson

As a city, we are facing an unprecedented issue. The COVID-19 virus has forced us to take a hard look at many of our standard practices and traditional social norms. We want to ensure our citizens we are doing everything we can to be proactive both locally and regionally to keep our citizens, employees and visitors safe. Out of an abundance of caution, and in response to coronavirus concerns, all city offices were closed to public interaction on Monday. 

Utility payments are being accepted at the City Hall drive-thru during normal business hours, online, at the payment kiosk, or in the drop box located near the drive-thru. All of these methods will keep citizens current on their payments. ALL essential city services are operating and your city employees are working very hard for you. All normal face-to-face city business can be conducted by calling 409-938-9200. 

We are asking all of our citizens to read and follow guidance being provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Information from the CDC is available on our website at http://cityoflamarque.org/600/COVID-19 which is accessible at this link or from our city website homepage. General minimal guidance includes: 

• Wash your hand frequently
• Maintain social distancing (a minimum of 6 feet) 
• Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people 
• Avoid touching your eyes and mouth 
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow 
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
• Stay informed and follow the advice given by your healthcare provider 

We have additionally closed City facilities to public gatherings including the library, provided guidance for interactions between police officers and firefighters with the public, canceled all city public meetings and postponed the municipal court docket. Additional measures may be required in the immediate future. 

Our sister city of Galveston took additional measures today including closing restaurants, bars and amusement venues. Harris County has done the same. This is a very fluid situation and may require the City of La Marque to take additional action in the days and weeks to come. We will continue to constantly monitor information from the nation, region and Galveston County Health District and will make necessary decisions as new information becomes available. 

Many La Marque business owners have already implemented changes to their business models to accommodate CDC guidelines and regional practices. We appreciate their efforts to keep our citizens safe. 

We are sorry for any minor inconvenience these closures may cause and thank you for your patience as we work to help ensure the health of our citizens and employees.

Download: COVID Statement from City Manager Tink Jackson

A message from La Marque Police Chief Kirk Jackson 

I would like to take a moment to speak with the citizens of our community. Right now, our Nation is facing unprecedented circumstances with the Coronavirus pandemic. Today and every day, the La Marque Police Department’s foremost responsibility and priority is ensuring the safety of the public. 

The City of La Marque is closely monitoring this fluid event and we are adapting our procedures to better serve the citizens of our community. To mitigate the risk of exposure to citizens and Police Department staff, and promote the continuity of service, the police department is making some temporary changes to our normal operating procedures. 

When a citizen contacts the La Marque Police Department for police assistance, the Telecommunicator will take your information as normal. If the incident that you are reporting does not require evidence collection or if an officer is not immediately needed at your location, the Telecommunicator will ask if you would like to provide the information for the report over the phone. If so, the officer will call you and the preliminary information will be taken, and your report will be filed. 

Please know that the La Marque Police Department is here to serve our community. Together we will weather this storm and, in the end, will emerge stronger than ever before.      

Download: Letter to the citizens from Police Chief Kirk Jackson