Author: HCMUD 150

In honor of Park and Recreation Month, we celebrate the beauty and value of our local parks and green spaces. They enhance our quality of life and contribute to the well-being of our communities. Our Parks Unit patrols nearly 100 parks across our county. These deputies ensure the parks are safe and welcoming for visitors.

For many, parks were essential mental and physical outlets throughout the pandemic. Our parks are often our first experiences in nature, and our introduction to walking, running, bicycling, and being active outdoors. They are at the center of many memories and a place to come together with friends and family.
Parks also connect us to our neighbors and those who patrol and protect our neighborhoods. We invite you to join our deputies for a community bicycle ride at Alexander Deussen Park in northeast Harris County on Saturday, July 24.

Community Bike Ride

Saturday, July 24
Alexander Deussen Park
12303 Sonnier Street, Houston, Texas 77044
Registration: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Ride Start: 8:30 a.m.

Our goal is for you to have fun while getting to know our deputies and learning about bike safety. This family-friendly event gives us another avenue to interact with our community beyond calls for service and traffic stops. We want to bring people together and push our neighborhoods forward through positive relationships and open communication.

Join Us

• All ages welcome
• Safety helmets strongly recommended
• Bottle water provided
• Chance to win prizes and giveaways
• Learn bike safety tips
• Receive a basic bike inspection
• Download the park map
• Download and complete the event waiver form

The bike ride will start at 8:30 a.m. near the pavilion and water gazebo at the park. Be sure to arrive early to sign in. There will be two bike routes – a nearly 5-mile route within the park and a 7-mile route that extends to neighboring Eisenhower Park. For those that don’t have a bike, there are 40 bikes available for rent at a B-station at Alexander Deussen Park. Guest riders can pay with a credit card at the kiosk on-site or on the mobile app. Learn more here.

The ride will end back at the pavilion where our Park Unit deputies will announce giveaways, talk to you about what’s on your mind, and offer basic bike inspections that include tire pressure checks, tightening loose bolts, and inspecting brakes, pedals, chains and more. You can also meet with team members from our Community Problem-Oriented Policing Unit, Patrol District 2, Motor Assistance Program, Community Engagement Division, and various other units.

We welcome cyclists of all ages, skill levels, and riding all types of bicycles to join us. If you have any questions about the community bike ride, please reach out to our Parks Unit at 346-286-1943.

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The summer months are historically one of the riskiest times of the year for vehicle burglary and theft in Texas.

This time brings busy schedules, vacations, and more time on the road that can lead some drivers to let their guard down when it comes to locking doors and hiding personal items.

We teamed up with Crime Stoppers of Houston and Clear Channel Outdoor to promote a simple vehicle crime prevention philosophy: “If you like it, LOCK IT!”

Vehicle Theft Prevention Tips

The awareness campaign includes 11 digital billboards across the region that encourage residents to practice three basic safety tips:

• Hide it
• Lock it
• Take it

Other Tips

• Always lock your vehicle and take your keys.
• Never leave your car unattended while it is running.
• Park in a well-lit area.
• Take valuables with you when you are not in your vehicle or keep them out of sight.
• Give parking attendants the ignition key only.
• Install an anti-theft device.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, thieves stole 84,170 vehicles in Texas during 2020. In some jurisdictions, more than half of the vehicles stolen had unlocked doors and keys left inside. Since January, 2,529 stolen vehicles were reported to our agency.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your vehicle, download our vehicle report card.

Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Tips

Catalytic converter thefts have soared nationally as the prices of the metals inside the part have risen. The anti-pollution device is attached to the belly of the vehicle.

In March, we busted a catalytic converter theft ring, seizing 32 stolen parts, more than $14,500, and arresting four people.

In our region and the rest of country, prices for rhodium, palladium, and platinum are climbing, and thieves see an easy way to make cash. Reported thefts of catalytic converters for our agency more than tripled last year, from 180 in 2019 to 744 in 2020. This year alone there have been nearly 1,300 reported catalytic converter thefts.

In what takes just minutes, thieves slide under your vehicle and saw off the device. To avoid detection, many change their vehicle’s license plate. They may lift the car using a car jack before cutting the part and driving off in their own vehicle. Most thieves use basic tools, such as a battery-powered saw.

Sgt. Persons, who oversees our Metal Theft Unit, says these thefts are becoming a crime of opportunity, happening at any time of the day at shopping center parking lots, near driveways in residential areas, or places where cars are parked in a row.

The thefts are disruptive. Motorists are met with a roaring noise when they turn on the ignition. The loud noise and the potential damage to the engine are why you can’t drive without the part.

For the theft victim, it’s costly due to time off work, finding and paying for alternate transportation, and then paying to get your vehicle fixed. Repair shops can charge up to $2,500 to replace the converters, and what you pay out of pocket depends on your insurance.

Drivers can take preventative steps to protect their car’s catalytic converter:

• Park your car in a garage or in a well-lit area.
• Park close to fences, walls, or curbs and alongside cars to make the catalytic converter less accessible.
• Mark the converter by stamping or engraving your VIN or license plate number.
• Install a catalytic theft prevention device, such as a lock or cover.
• Report potential thefts immediately and obtain as much information about the suspects as possible.

As we enjoy the summer months, let’s take preventative measures to remain safe and safeguard our property.

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This year is truly special as we celebrate our independence as a nation and cherish this important holiday, together as neighbors and a community. We can take in this year’s Fourth of July festivities with traditional cookouts, fireworks, and get-togethers, marking not only our freedom as a nation but the beginning of our freedom from the virus.

For many, Independence Day represents the birth of our great nation, equality, democracy, and community. It’s a time to reflect on our nation’s history and everything it stands for. It is a picture of who we are and what we strive to become.

We hold this holiday near and dear to our hearts. It marks the day America launched a bold experiment, testing the ideal that the best government derives its power from the people — a country rooted in the belief that everyone here is created equal and that everyone has fundamental rights. We must remember our founding principles and put them front and center as we face today’s challenges.

Celebrating Responsibly

Drunk driving continues to be a scourge on our community, destroying lives and devastating families. Most of us know someone who has been personally impacted by drunk driving.

We are committed to making a meaningful change on our roadways through joint efforts and multi-pronged approaches that include extra enforcement and public awareness campaigns.

Our DWI Unit and Traffic Crimes Unit joined forces ahead of the Fourth of July weekend to conduct a nearly week-long traffic enforcement initiative aimed at curbing impaired driving and illegal street racing offenses across Harris County.

Additionally, our Patrol District III deputies are participating in a multi-agency DWI initiative over the weekend with several public safety partners. Drivers suspected of being impaired will be subject to field sobriety tests and no-refusal blood draws. The District Attorney’s Office will be available to fast-track the process of prosecuting a drunk driver.

Let’s rally together and do our part to put an end to drunk driving. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi or rideshare service, use public transit, or arrange for someone you trust to pick you up. Report drunk drivers to law enforcement officials immediately.

Every single injury and loss of life caused by drunk driving is preventable.

Have a fun filled and safe Fourth of July holiday weekend with your loved ones. Happy Independence Day!

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Our Clinician and Officer Remote Evaluation (CORE) telehealth program — which provides our patrol deputies with in-hand access to a behavioral health clinician via an iPad — received the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Michael Shanahan Leadership in Public/Private Cooperation Award. The award recognizes partnerships between law enforcement agencies and private industries that have collaborated to build community trust and enhance public safety.

Launched in 2017 with an eye toward the future, our CORE program has been a game-changer. This partnership with The Harris Center started as a pilot program with three deputies and has since become the largest of its kind in the nation with 250 trained deputies across Harris County. Deputies can connect with a clinician within five minutes for support on mental health calls. Since its launch, several partners have been involved in its success: JSA Telehealth, Cloud 9, Verizon Wireless, Arnold Ventures, University of Houston-Downtown, and The Harris Center.

Last month’s issue of IACP’s Police Chief Magazine, Telehealth Solution for Mental Health Calls, included program highlights from an evaluation funded by Arnold Ventures and conducted by the University of Houston-Downtown. Our agency is the liaison for the CORE program in our county, with seven constable offices on board along with other jurisdictions joining the program.

We were the first law enforcement agency in the nation to pilot a telepsychiatry program for patrol deputies. It evolved into using masters-level clinicians instead of psychiatrists. Please visit our site for more information about our CORE program. Please remember, if you are in a mental health crisis, know that you’re not alone. Help is always available. Call 911 or 713-221-6000.

National Safety Month

We are wrapping up National Safety Month. For the past several weeks we have been addressing concerns we have every summer: water safety, kids in hot cars, pets and heat, and hurricane preparedness.

Water Safety

Summertime is when families plan vacations, staycations, and excursions to the pool, beach, and water parks. Drownings and heat stroke are often the last things on people’s minds while having fun in the sun, but they pose a real threat.

These simple steps from printable parents implemented into your family’s routine could save a life:

• Do not be overconfident around water. It only takes seconds for someone to drown. Know that any depth of water is dangerous.
• Place barriers around the water.
• Watch your kids closely and always have a responsible designated adult to watch them while in the water.
• Use floaties and life jackets.
• Learn water rescue skills and CPR.
• Take formal swim lessons.

Look Before You Lock

Hot cars can kill. Do not leave kids or pets inside a hot vehicle for any amount of time. Vehicles can quickly heat 20 degrees in only 10 minutes. Nearly 44% of vehicle heatstroke deaths occur because the caregiver left the child in the car unintentionally. Nearly 30% of deaths occur because a caregiver intentionally left the child. For more tips and facts, visit Wheresbaby.org.

We have created a vehicle flyer to remind you to check your backseat. Download the flyer and place it in your car as a daily reminder.

Pets and Heat

We have touched on hot cars being potentially deadly for pets but there are other safety concerns to look out for during the summer:

• Watch the humidity. It is common for heat indices to be more than 100 degrees.
• Limit exercises on hot days and check how hot the asphalt is.
• Do not rely on a fan to provide adequate relief from the heat. Provide ample shade and water if your dog is outside for a time playing or exercising.
• Watch what your pet eats and drinks at barbeques and pool parties. Many foods and drinks can be poisonous to pets.
• Watch for signs of heatstroke and know how to treat a pet suffering from it.
• For a full list of hot weather pet safety tips, check out the ASPCA.

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season is here through the end of November. Houstonians know better than to disregard warnings. However, many people are still not proactive and currently do not have a hurricane supply kit ready to go. When a disturbance is brewing in the Gulf there is always the inevitable rush to stock up on water and supplies. Instead of panicking and making last-minute preparations, we ask that you put together a hurricane supply kit and plan for your family now and not wait for the next tropical system to pop up in the Gulf.

The Houston Office of Emergency Management has a great preparedness guide that has suggestions for your custom hurricane supply kit.

Thank you to all of our readers who pause every week to see what our agency is doing for the residents of our county. We value your support. Let’s work together to have a safe, happy, and memorable summer.

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