Author: HCMUD 150

The end of the week and higher temperatures could not come soon enough. We endured a massive winter storm and power outage crisis in the midst of a pandemic. Most everyone suffered through prolonged stretches without power or running water. Many are now scrambling to repair busted pipes and the damage they caused to their homes and businesses.

For many, it’s been days living in this dire situation. This goes for our county’s first responders, emergency managers, and essential personnel who leave their homes and families to tackle unprecedented challenges to our region and infrastructure: travel, power, and water.

We are incredibly proud of our Sheriff’s Office teammates and the Harris County maintenance professionals who always get the job done in the toughest of conditions. We appreciate their dedication to serve others and all that they do.

Our teammates adjusted their schedules to ensure around the clock coverage. Several filled in for their colleagues who encountered road closures and treacherous road conditions. Others embraced loved ones into their homes who were in need of warmth or a hot shower and meal.

The Harris County Jail encountered water pressure issues and power outages, just like we all did at our own homes. One of our most important duties is overseeing the state’s largest jail. Our jail support staff’s commitment to their job leads them to work so diligently and selflessly.

We’re grateful for those working on the front lines inside the county jail who are ensuring we meet state standards and maintain the safety and well-being of everyone there – including detention officers, medical personnel, jail support staff, and those entrusted in our custody.

Public safety is our North Star.

As overpasses, bridges, and roadways are covered in ice and traffic signals remain out around the county, our patrol deputies and traffic investigators are working in these extreme conditions – reporting and blocking dangerous roadways, ramps, and freeway lanes; leading traffic safety and enforcement efforts and investigating crashes; performing proactive, high visibility patrol efforts; and working collaboratively with area agencies on a wide range of public safety efforts.

Our Homeless Outreach Teams are canvassing our communities to help those without housing stay warm and safe with blankets, jackets, and transportation to emergency warming centers. This proactive, 24/7 support for our most vulnerable neighbors has saved lives and demonstrates our promise to our mission.

Since Sunday, our dispatchers fielded calls for nearly 190 icy roadways, 370 minor accidents, 75 major accidents, 80 stranded motorists, and one fatal auto-pedestrian crash.

On Monday and Tuesday alone, our call takers fielded 17,422 calls to 911 and our non-emergency line, matching Hurricane Harvey’s historic call volume level. This is more than triple the normal volume and largely driven by people reporting weather-related power outages and busted water pipes. As a reminder, 911 is for life threatening emergencies only.

Our Emergency Dispatch Center call takers are usually the first point of contact when a Harris County resident requires immediate assistance from law enforcement, medical, or fire personnel. They determine a caller’s needs and route the emergency call to the appropriate dispatcher. During these trying times, we’re especially grateful for their service.

Thanks to all who heeded the call to stay home and keep the roads clear for emergency personnel and road crews. We’re thankful that more lives weren’t lost on our roadways.

Because their community needs them, our Sheriff’s Office employees consistently report for duty, pivot when needed, and rise to the occasion every shift despite the challenges. Because their community needs them, our neighbors consistently show up for each other, lending a helping hand to those in need.

The critical issues across our region and state due to the extreme winter weather remain, but so does our resilience and commitment to each other.

Our hearts go out to each of you. We pray everyone keeps warm and safe. We’re in this together.

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As a cold front brings freezing temperatures, chilly air, and maybe some snow to our region over the next several days, we strongly encourage you to closely monitor the weather while meteorologists guide us through what promises to be a significant event.

It’s likely a hard freeze will occur in the coming days, potentially putting people, plants, pets, and pipes in jeopardy. This also means we could experience sleet on our roadways.

While we still have questions about how much of the Arctic air will reach us, it’s now time to prepare:

• Protect People: Check on your neighbors, relatives, and friends, especially seniors, to ensure they have sufficient warmth.
• Protect Pets: Bring your four-legged companions inside. If pets must be left outside, give them an enclosed shelter with protection from the wind.
• Protect Plants: Plants should be covered and those in containers should be brought inside.
• Protect Pipes: Allow water to drip from faucets, especially those facing exterior walls, and open your cabinets so the warmer air can circulate.
• Stay Alert: Take all necessary precautions on and off the roads and follow the guidance of local officials.
• Activate Emergency Alerts: Monitor the local NWS forecast and sign up for emergency alerts at ReadyHarris.org.

Our Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) is in the community doing all they can to help those without housing stay warm and safe with blankets, jackets, and information on open shelters and available resources. In preparation for the extreme cold, HOT deputies have adjusted their schedules to offer around the clock coverage and proactive support to our most vulnerable neighbors.

According to the Coalition for the Homeless, nearly 4,000 people are experiencing homelessness in the Houston area.

The unit was established in 2015 and now operates in all five of our patrol districts across Harris County, offering aid and assistance through our community partners and transportation to hospitals, shelters, and facilities that specialize in providing services to the homeless.

This work is more challenging than ever because of the pandemic – shelters and emergency warming centers are not able to expand their capacities to accommodate people who are looking to come inside during the winter months.

As we work together to stop the spread of the coronavirus, our Homeless Outreach Team remains on the front lines. Since the beginning of the pandemic, these deputies have spread awareness about the virus and provided essential supplies and hygiene products at homeless encampments.

Additionally, they have hosted cleanup days with community partners and volunteers, removing debris and trash from intersections, esplanades, and underpasses.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, HOT deputies and fallen Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal’s family distributed over 100 meals to the homeless. UTMB Health, Hope Center Houston, Love Network of Baytown, and Deputy Dhaliwal’s family donated many of the blankets that are being handed out to those in need.

There are countless stories of this unit connecting people experiencing homelessness with much-needed resources. A military veteran was driven to the U.S.VETS Houston office where he started the permanent housing process. A suicidal person experiencing homelessness and a mental health crisis was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and care. He was later discharged and driven to his new housing location by our Homeless Outreach Team deputies.

At the Sheriff’s Office, we know jail is not an appropriate solution to homelessness. And yet, the people held in our jail are more likely to suffer from poor physical and mental health, along with addiction. When appropriate, we’re committed to diverting people experiencing homelessness away from the criminal justice system and toward more appropriate care, resources, and services.

Homelessness is among the most important, complex issues facing our criminal justice system today. It’s critical we address these issues through innovative, multi-faceted strategies and compassion.

This unit is an example of community policing and what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies and the community collaborate. We are proud to be part of the team effort setting a viable path forward for those experiencing homelessness. Although our partner agencies have different missions, we’re all united around the call to serve our most vulnerable neighbors and keep everyone safe. Public safety is always our North Star.

During a time of uncertainty, I am deeply encouraged and inspired by the strides we’ve made as a community. This unit – and the many initiatives across our region led by our partners – are truly helping those who are most in need.

Stay warm and be prepared.

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