Sheriff Message

Earlier this week, we received a generous book donation from the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy for persons in our custody and care at the Harris County Jail. This donation, made possible by the City of Houston and the Molina Foundation, will help diversify our leisure reading material and will grow our book inventory with over 750 new books.

Education plays an important role in reducing recidivism in our society, but more importantly, improves us as people and brings light into our world. Reading can be a source of hope and inspiration. It can give us a framework to understand our past and look toward our future. Books spark conversations, teach us empathy, and broaden our horizons.

One of the many ways we aim to reduce recidivism is by giving people a chance to use their time constructively and by investing in them. Our Detention Support Services Bureau provides educational resources and opportunities designed to give them the tools, skills, and support to be successful when returning to their communities. We provide case management services, discharge planning, a leisure reading program, and a connection to outside resources, information, and services. We want them to be able to get out and get back on their feet.

In past semesters, before the pandemic, student volunteers from my alma mater, University of Houston-Downtown, helped screen, sort, and distribute donated books. As part of their hands-on, community service journey, the students learned about the inner workings of the Harris County Jail and the importance of rehabilitation services and reentry programs.

We were also partnering with the Harris County Public Defender’s Office to host regular book clubs where incarcerated persons engaged in the reading and the discussions.

We are grateful to our community partners who see the transformative power of literacy and are committed to changing lives by empowering people to reach their full potential through reading and learning. We look forward to the day we can welcome back volunteers and students and get back to book club discussions.

God bless you, and may God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

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Earlier this week, on Giving Tuesday, our communities came together to make an impact in their neighborhoods and the lives of their neighbors. This global generosity movement reminds us of our collective power – and responsibility – to transform our own communities. A strong neighborhood depends on strong relationships. Let’s build on this momentum and on the spirit of community and collaboration that this day brings. At the Sheriff’s Office, we pride ourselves on maintaining the public’s trust and working with you to keep our neighborhoods safe year-round. We strive to be deeply ingrained in the communities we serve and recognize the invaluable impact residents and community partners have on Harris County’s future.

On Wednesday, District II led a virtual public safety forum for northeast Harris County area residents with an update from our Community Engagement Division and guest speakers from our Auto Theft and Behavioral Health Units. A few weeks ago, District IV led a safety forum for west Harris County residents and featured presenters from across our agency, including a victim advocate from our Family Violence Unit and a member of our new Traffic Crimes Unit.

Public safety forums are an opportunity for you to join your neighbors and patrol district leaders for a meaningful discussion about key public safety issues in your neighborhood. They are also an opportunity for you to learn more about our initiatives, such as Project Guardian, to ask questions about our agency, and to share any concerns with the very leaders patrolling and protecting your block.

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed, each of our five districts will be hosting virtual safety forums led by the area’s patrol captain and sergeant with support and updates from various agency leaders. If you’re interested in being notified about your district’s next meeting, fill out our interest form. By signing up today, you’re ensuring you’ll be among the first to know when the next safety forum is scheduled.

In the meantime, stay connected with us by following your patrol district on Twitter and our agency on Nextdoor, a social media platform that allows you to exchange helpful information with your neighbors that’s timely and unique to your community. Our agency’s social media presence will keep you plugged in on how we are supporting and serving you daily. You will receive breaking news, missing persons and wanted suspects alerts, crime prevention resources, and more.

Follow Your District on Twitter:

• North Harris County: District I
• Northeast Harris County: District II
• South Harris County: District III
• West Harris County: District IV
• Northwest Harris County: District V

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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As we prepare to give thanks with our family on Thanksgiving, I want to start by sharing my deep appreciation for your partnership and contributions to our wonderful community. 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 pandemic has become personal for many. We at the Sheriff’s Office have lost three of our own. It has been a challenging year for our neighbors with profound loss, sacrifices, and uncertainty, but we pulled together despite the hardships.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday when we pause and reflect on our blessings and what matters most. It’s a holiday that has significant meaning for our country and encourages us to wrap ourselves in gratitude for our family, loved ones, opportunities, and growth.

I also want to thank all of our deputies, volunteer reservists, detention officers, dispatchers, medical personnel, and teammates who serve and protect 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 appreciation to the men and women of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and all first responders. I am inspired by all they do day in and day out and their unwavering dedication to Harris County.

Let us be thankful for one another and for our great county and state that we are blessed to call home. Take each day as a gift and fill them with positivity and gratitude.

I wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

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As we look forward to Thanksgiving next week – and the upcoming holiday season – it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the true meaning of the celebrations.

Holidays are an important way to celebrate our strong bonds with family, close friends, and neighbors. They bring us joy and a sense of belonging and community. They give us a way to express what is important to us, connecting us and helping us cherish family and generations of traditions. ‘Tis the season!

We talked to our Community Engagement Division about the importance of taking precautions and being safe this holiday season. Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season. As you search for the perfect holiday decorations and gifts, have a game plan to shop safely.

With the excitement of buying and wrapping gifts, comes an opportunity for thieves to steal everything from your identity to the gifts under your tree. Don’t let the season of giving become the season of taking. Deputy Rivers shared online and in-person shopping safety and theft prevention tips for us to keep in mind:

Online Shopping Holiday

• Stick to retailers you know, and you’ve shopped with before.
• Research retailers you’re not familiar with or have not shopped with.
• Check web addresses, also known as URLs, to ensure they are secure by looking for the web address to start with “https” and the “lock” icon in the search browser.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi while making online purchases.
• Save your receipts and monitor your bank account and credit activity, ensuring the costs of the items you purchased are properly reflected in your banking statements.
• Try to stick to using one credit card to make tracking identity theft and your purchases easier.

While in Your Car

• Be patient and take your time when you’re looking for a parking space.
• Be alert and watch for drivers speeding up to look for empty spaces.
• Park in well-lit, high traffic areas.
• Store shopping bags and goods out of sight.
• Lock your car doors and take your personal belongings with you in the store.

While in the Store

• Keep your purse or bag close to your body.
• Avoid putting your shopping bags and personal belongings in the cart – that’s the first place it will disappear from when you turn your back.
• If you carry a wallet in your pockets, keep it in your front pocket.
• If you’re shopping with children, identify the store personnel so they know who to ask for help.
• Don’t argue over store items, it can be dangerous and escalate to an assault.
• Follow the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Harris County Public Health.

It’s easy to get caught up in grocery shopping, cooking, and Black Friday shopping, but Thanksgiving really is all about giving thanks. Take a moment to reflect on your blessings and remind yourself and others what you’re grateful for.

Thank you for the privilege to serve you as Harris County Sheriff and to lead an agency of devoted public servants who are committed to building safe and secure communities.

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