Author: HCMUD 150

On Tuesday, Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved Harris County Safe, a data-driven policing initiative that will target communities with the highest incidence of violent crime in unincorporated Harris County.

This is another step toward a comprehensive strategy for reducing violent crime – an approach grounded in research, data mapping, transparency, and constant review. It’s also focused on engaging our communities as critical partners and aligns with our values.

Senseless violence has shaken our communities and taken the lives of too many people. In Harris County alone, murders have increased nearly 33 percent since 2019. And violent crime offenses overall have increased nearly 18 percent since 2019. Our Violent Crimes Unit investigators have responded to more than 380 scenes so far this year.

The initiative builds on our philosophy of community-oriented policing and reinforces the vital role that our residents and partners play in ensuring public safety. And it helps establish effective methods for deploying our personnel and other critical resources to hotspot areas.

Our Crime Analysis and Intelligence Division has identified seven micro-zones throughout the county where crime is concentrated. About 96 additional Harris County deputies will patrol the most violence-prone areas at the times of day and week when violence is most often reported.

This proactive policing strategy draws on the deterrent value of high-visibility, targeted enforcement. It’s about prioritizing street-level deterrence and removing repeat violent offenders from our communities.

We know that violent crime is not a problem that can be solved by law enforcement alone. Our Community Problem-Oriented Policing Unit, also known as CPOP, will engage residents throughout the initiative. They will be seeking input from the communities impacted.

At the Sheriff’s Office, we have embraced emerging technologies to give us the kind of real-time, actionable crime-fighting information that we need to make our neighborhoods better places to live. Our goal is to make strategic and analysis-driven decisions that reduce violent crime, as well as overall social harm over time. Harris County Safe will tell us when and where to target our countermeasures for long-term change in disproportionately affected areas.

Regularly generated reports by our crime analysts will keep deputies and residents informed and lay the foundation for assessing the effectiveness of specific operational techniques and personnel deployment. This will provide valuable feedback for adjustments and realigning resource allocation. It will also serve as a complement and force multiplier to our existing crime reduction efforts seen in our various dedicated units and task forces.

We are grateful to the County Judge and the entire Commissioners Court for investing in proven approaches and viable public safety strategies to prevent and respond to the worst crimes. With their leadership and support, we have continued to implement multi-pronged solutions to protect our communities and keep gaining insight into the unique needs of each neighborhood.

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As we prepare to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives and within our communities on Thanksgiving Day, I want to start by sharing my deep appreciation for your partnership and contributions to our wonderful county.

I admire our community for its strength, compassion, and commitment to supporting one another. We are a community where neighbors lend a helping hand to those in need, do their part to make it a better place, and band together to build a more caring and safer home. The Sheriff’s Office is glad to have you with us every step of the way.

The Blue Family Thanksgiving

On Tuesday, our Sheriff’s Office teammates joined the Houston Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies and community partners to pack holiday food baskets for families.

The annual tradition, now in its 10th year, is an opportunity to come together to volunteer as an extended family. Volunteers packed about 1,250 turkey dinners.

After the event, some volunteers personally delivered the turkey dinners to families across the region.

Deputy Blanco visited the Villages at Loch Katrine apartments in northwest Harris County, where she shared more information about the Unidos program and other critical services with residents.

Unidos assists Spanish-speaking residents by introducing them to the various ways we serve them and connecting them to resources to meet the community’s needs.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday where we take an extra moment to pause and reflect on what matters most. It’s a holiday with significant meaning for our nation that encourages us to wrap ourselves in gratitude for our family, loved ones, opportunities, and growth.

I also want to thank all our deputies, volunteer reservists, detention officers, dispatchers, medical personnel, and teammates from every corner of our agency who serve us every day with empathy and professionalism. Many sacrifice time with their families to ensure you can celebrate safely with yours. I am grateful to those who will be working on Thanksgiving to keep us safe. I hope you will join me in expressing your gratitude to them and all first responders.

You may have seen a social media post from KHOU with one of our deputies, Deputy Almeida, embracing a baby who was inside a chase suspect’s truck with other children in the early morning hours on Sunday. At around 1:30 a.m., DWI deputy Caudillo observed a truck driving erratically near West Sam Houston Parkway N at Clay Road in west Harris County. When the deputy signaled the driver to pull over, they refused to stop. The brief chase reached speeds up to 100 mph, ending in the suspect exiting the truck in a parking lot carrying an infant.

Deputy Almeida’s heartfelt actions were met by a flood of supportive posts that thanked the deputy for his humanity and compassion during a scary moment. “Beyond good police work, our deputies’ response to a bad situation included taking care of children as if they were their own,” said Lt. Benoit with the Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division. That’s not just a testament to our deputies, it’s Harris County at its best. That’s what so many of you in our community represents.

Let’s keep pushing our world in the right direction. And let us be thankful for our neighbors and the state that we are blessed to call home. Take each day as a gift and fill them with positivity and gratitude. We wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

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On Wednesday, we honored exceptional deputies, detention officers, and teammates for their courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to serving their community.

The commendation ceremony reflected the incredible work our team members perform across our agency, day in and day out. I am truly humbled to work alongside phenomenal public servants.

Nearly 140 recipients distinguished themselves through their sacrificial service and heroic acts on duty. Their efforts earned them commendations for bravery, lifesaving efforts, leadership, and a range of good and persistent police work.

Sacred Oath

Many felt they were simply carrying out their duties when they responded to the situations that led them to be recognized Wednesday.

They know the importance of falling back on their training and love for their neighbors. Their swift response and actions are a testament to who they are and what they stand for. They are willing to risk their lives to protect others. For them, the search for justice matters. For them, every life is sacred.

Even on what proved to be some of their most difficult days on the job, they maintained a servant leader’s heart. They were compassionate, especially to those in need. And even beyond these critical incidents, their daily interactions have been powerful and do not go unnoticed. These interactions are the ones that really distinguish us.

Serving Others

When you learn about what earned them an award, it’s truly unbelievable.

They have worked tirelessly through trying months. They consistently reported for duty during a difficult and unprecedented time. And without hesitation, they answered the call.

We also showcased the power of building meaningful partnerships in the community. Partnerships that elevate discussions on mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. Specifically, an innovative partnership that received national recognition and serves as a force multiplier to our behavioral health training and community-oriented policing approach.

Some of them risked their lives while stopping others from harming themselves.

While patrol deputies talked to a suicidal teenager sitting on an overpass, a sergeant removed him from danger before he could jump. A deputy responded to a call where a man climbed a cell phone tower and planned to take his life. The deputy spoke with the man from a firefighter ladder and talked him down from the tower.

When a vehicle struck a concrete barrier and caught fire, responding deputies used fire extinguishers to suppress the fire and save the entrapped passenger.

Several detention officers performed life-saving measures on an inmate who was found unresponsive in a jail cell.

There are also stories of giving back to the community. A sergeant intervened in an armed robbery at a major retail store when she was shopping for school supplies to donate to children in need. A deputy organized a team for the Texas Ride for Autism and Disability, a 100-mile bike ride to Galveston that fundraised more than ten thousand dollars.

And our teammates stepped in to help our neighbors in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura’s destructive path.

Other award recipients performed exemplary work to solve the worst crimes. A deputy investigator worked tirelessly on a missing person case reassigned to the Homicide Unit. The months-long investigation led to the recovery of the missing person’s body and three arrests.

We know that solid police work means collaboration. Our Homicide Unit responds to hundreds of scenes every year. The unit’s murder clearance rate is consistently exceeding the national average.

We extend our sincere gratitude to their families. They know their loved one is performing a vital and sometimes dangerous job. This accomplishment also belongs to them.

We have an opportunity to make an impact every day in our profession. And we serve during a pivotal moment where law enforcement partners at all levels are combating the rise in violence. The pandemic has only underscored the hard work, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

Program

We have a tremendous obligation to those we serve. And we show our community what makes the Harris County Sheriff’s Office The Pride of Texas every day.

For the complete list of award recipients, please click here to download the program.

You may also view the photo album from the event.

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We proudly pay tribute to those who have served our country and the many veterans across our agency who continue to serve their communities as public servants. This week, and all year long, we honor these American heroes who have fought and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom.

On Veterans Day, we joined communities from every corner of our great city and nation to show our deep appreciation for their patriotism and willingness to serve. We owe them an enduring debt of gratitude.

American Heroes Parade

On Thursday, we participated in the City of Houston’s American Heroes Parade, an annual tradition to celebrate our local veterans. The public tribute started at City Hall with a ceremony and moment of silence before former and current service members, veteran support organizations, ROTC students, bands, and countless others marched in solidarity.

Houston has one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, with more than 250,000 military veterans calling our region home. Veterans are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our leaders.

We support our team members who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and then answered the call to protect their local communities. Seeing our military veterans work tirelessly every shift puts living a life of service into perspective. We are inspired by their stories and experiences. We are moved by their resiliency and servant leadership.

Veterans Appreciation Day

Our Office of Military Relations hosted a Veterans Appreciation Day event for teammates who selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

They joined their fellow veterans for cake and fellowship – and a moment to reflect on their sacrifice. Others joined them to share their immense gratitude for the battles – even those well beyond war – they endured for the opportunities we have today.

We empower our veterans and foster a supportive culture for them. We’re grateful for their countless contributions to the Sheriff’s Office. If you’re looking to make a difference, learn more about our career opportunities here. We celebrate them always.

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