Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez – Street Racing Has No Place on Our Roadways

Street racing is a dangerous and growing concern within our community that stretches to every corner of our region and far beyond our state.

Earlier this week, we joined our partners from the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office at Houston Raceway Park’s starting line to urge car race fans to practice their hobby on legal racetracks and not on our roads and highways.

The call for an end to the street racing and public road takeovers that have plagued our roadways comes as race aficionados converge in Baytown this week for TX2K21 Roll & Drag Race Nationals. TX2K has evolved into the premier streetcar event in the country, drawing thousands of car enthusiasts for the annual, days-long affair featuring roll racing, drag racing, and a car show.

This event has given drivers a safe and legal way to race each other and spectators a safe environment to cheer them on. It’s a controlled environment surrounded by experienced track officials and medical staff.

We stand shoulder to shoulder in our efforts to double down on our mission to keep racing on the tracks and off our streets. We’re grateful for responsible business owners and car enthusiasts, like Houston Raceway Park owner Seth Angel, who lead by example and put the safety of our community front and center.

We know the overwhelming majority of TX2K attendees understand how to have fun while respecting the safety of others. We know many are just as frustrated at those who make the misguided choice to race on the same roads our family and loved ones use every day.

We have seen the deadly consequences and devastation firsthand. Just last month, our patrol deputies and traffic investigators responded to a tragic incident that resulted in a crash that ended the lives of two teenage brothers and an onlooker visiting Houston from New Jersey.

In response to the growing problem, we established a Traffic Crimes Unit centered on every aspect of street racing culture, parking lot takeovers, and stunt driving. These deputies are on the front lines of shutting down aggressive drivers, responding to tips and areas of concern from residents, and working with our patrol districts and partners on conducting regular initiatives.

We will be out in full force throughout spring break targeting street racers. There will also be unmarked patrol vehicles and air support to assist with calls for service and to spot street races from the air.

Our dedicated Traffic Crimes Unit has written traffic citations, made felony arrests on charges that include reckless driving, racing on a highway, and deadly conduct, and made misdemeanor arrests for DWI and other offenses. Our deputies have also seized numerous vehicles that were used to commit these crimes.

As we’re making arrests, we’re also seeing other criminal activity.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has reportedly seen about 90 cars seized by law enforcement agencies participating in this joint initiative. Beyond seizing the cars, the District Attorney’s Office is moving to forfeit vehicles involved in at-risk car crimes.

For those seeking an outlet to relieve the stresses brought on by the pandemic; or those looking for a proving ground, Houston Raceway Park welcomes drivers to safely race on their track as many times as they want on any Friday night for just $20.

Public safety is a shared responsibility. You play a critical role in keeping your neighborhood safe and we rely on you to be the extra eyes and ears on your block.

We need your continued support. If you know someone who is racing or playing a part in organizing street takeovers, report them. For those encouraging or spreading the word about these underground activities, you can be a party to some of these crimes.

Report street racing activities:

If you’re a race fan, don’t give street racers an audience. It’s dangerous. It emboldens them.

If you’re attending TX2K21, don’t let the racing spill into the streets after the event.

Don’t risk your life or the lives of others. The short-lived adrenaline and thrill aren’t worth a lifetime of heartache and devastation if an innocent life is lost.

We cannot do this alone. This truly is a collaborative effort on all fronts. It takes all of us doing our part to address this serious issue.

Safety is our priority, and we stand together and ready to protect the residents we serve.

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Sign Up for the District’s Alert System

The District has implemented a text alert system for the residents of Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 150. This system is designed to keep you informed of issues related to the District in a quick and timely manner. You may receive messages in text alert format related to the water service in the District, drainage and sewer related topics, and other news that is relevant to the District.

Text message notifications will contain a short amount of information with a link back to the District’s website where the remainder of the information can be viewed.

These notifications are a great way to stay up to date on news and issues within the District and we highly encourage you to sign up and share this information with your neighbors.

To sign up for text notifications, please click here to visit the sign up page.

Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez – Community Policing Empowers Communities

At the Sheriff’s Office, we have been working hard to implement strategies and solutions to better serve and protect our residents and to keep building trust.

We recently formed the Community Problem-Oriented Policing Unit, also known as CPOP, to foster meaningful relationships with residents, gain insight into the unique needs of each community, and empower people with knowledge and resources through our partners.

Each patrol district will have two dedicated deputies who will spend their time getting to know the businesses, schools, houses of worship, and neighborhoods in their area. They will start to establish relationships with the neighbors that make up the community.

In all of these efforts, the goal is to get the community involved before a crime takes place; to create a bond before a crisis erupts. This way, residents feel more empowered to share what’s on their mind and what public safety concerns or issues on their block keep them up at night. And that makes us all safer.

We’re using community policing and data to drive down crime and enhance our quality of life. We want to ensure that the residents we serve are our partners; that we’re all working together to tackle problems, especially the hard ones.

Last week, we announced the move toward a greater reliance on data analysis to identify the nexus of crashes and crime. The proven operational model called Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) improves deployment decisions, keeps deputies and residents informed, and demonstrates the power of data to address disproportionately affected areas.

As an agency, we’re always exploring innovative approaches that align with our core values, promote transparency and accountability, and focus on engaging residents in a deeper way.

Our neighbors should bring concerns to the deputies patrolling their community. Our deputies should actively include their voices – even those critical of law enforcement – in conversations around strategies for resolving problems in their neighborhood.

CPOP deputies will be knocking on doors, reviewing calls for service, working collaboratively with district commanders and various units across our agency, and seeking community input through surveys and forums. They will be following up with residents to make sure their issues were properly resolved. They will connect people with critical resources through our partners, such as the United Way of Greater Houston and BakerRipley, to assist them with their needs.

Over the next several weeks, the CPOP Unit will attend training focused on the relational policing and community policing models and will work with patrol district leaders on an action plan to rollout in their areas.

As peace officers, our actions must be driven by our training and love for our community. Over the past year, civil unrest over racial justice has led to countless demonstrations across our country. For some, it meant an erosion of trust in law enforcement. Our deputies must be ready and determined to meet this moment. Their work must be an extension of our core values.

We want to help build a foundation so that we can trust each other and rely on each other. And that’s what community is about – the idea that we’re all in this together. That’s the ultimate goal.

During the recent winter storm, you may have seen a social media post from District V Patrol Commander, Capt. Kinnard-Bing, that went viral. Our deputies responded to a call at a hotel in northwest Harris County where they learned a patron couldn’t afford the room for the night. The deputies covered the overnight cost for the hotel room to keep the patron and his family safe and warm.

Their actions were met by a flood of supportive posts from our followers who thanked the deputies and offered to pay for more nights at the hotel if the family was still in need. And that’s not just a testament to our deputies – because when the act of kindness went viral, folks across our county began asking how they could help, too.

That’s Harris County at its best. That’s good police work. That’s what so many of you in our community represent. Let’s keep pushing our world in the right direction – toward lending a helping hand to those in need; toward being a good neighbor; toward equity and fairness.

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Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez – Building Bridges for a Stronger Community

Every year, the Sheriff’s Office hosts a Citizens’ Police Academy for residents to learn about the inner workings of our agency. There are two upcoming weeks-long training opportunities – one course that is open for all residents and another course specially tailored for seniors. These experiences are part of our ongoing efforts to involve and engage you and your neighbors in a deeper way through a firsthand look at how we are supporting and serving you daily.

At the Sheriff’s Office, we pride ourselves on working with our community to keep our neighborhoods safe. We recognize the invaluable impact you have on public safety and Harris County’s future.

Both academies will be virtual this year for everyone’s safety but will feature the same high-quality, interactive courses and experiences residents have come to expect and enjoy.

For the course open to all residents, our Community Engagement Division has tapped speakers from divisions across our agency who will cover several critical topics:

  • Patrol and traffic enforcement
  • 911 and non-emergency communication
  • Homicide investigations
  • Cybercrime safety
  • Mental health and wellness
  • Animal education and laws
  • Jail procedures
  • Internal affairs investigations

Starting April 1, every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. through May 13, participants will learn about our programs and services and the local criminal justice system, ask questions, and share feedback with the very leaders entrusted with protecting their community and safeguarding those in our custody.

APPLY TODAY

The training is free. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and a Harris County resident. Please apply by the deadline, Friday, March 19. Spacing is limited to 60 participants.

If you have any questions regarding the application and program, contact our Community Engagement Division at 713-759-9454.

Silver Citizens’ Police Academy

This virtual academy is dedicated to increasing awareness about issues that affect older adults and ways we can support them.

We will share helpful resources and safety advice specifically tailored for those 65 years and older. We’ll encourage them to stay involved in their communities and to take precautions to reduce their vulnerability to certain crimes, such as mugging, scams, and fraud.

Starting March 16, every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. through April 1, Silver Citizens’ Police Academy participants will learn about:

  • Fraud and scams
  • Romance scams
  • Living life online
  • 911 and non-emergency communication
  • Animal education and laws

REGISTER TODAY

Register by the approaching deadline, Monday, March 8.

We know that a strong neighborhood depends on strong relationships. Our goals are for academy graduates to feel empowered with knowledge and to feel closer to us. They’ll know when and who to call and what resources to lean into when needed. They’ll share their experience with others and take an active role in building a safer, more caring community with their neighbors.

Stay connected with us by following our patrol districts on Twitter and our agency on Nextdoor. Our social media presence will keep you plugged in on everything from breaking news and missing persons alerts to personal safety tips and unit spotlights.

A safe and compassionate community requires constant attention, care, and collaboration. Thank you for your partnership and for joining us on this journey.

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