Sheriff Message

As we welcome a new month, we should be grateful for all of our blessings and keep moving forward. The battle against coronavirus continues and we should keep doing everything in our power to stop the spread.

National Water Safety Month

May is National Water Safety Month, and I want to ensure everyone practices proper water safety at all times. This week my teammates responded to two different scenes where two children — a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old — drowned because they were left unattended.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4. Please help us do everything to prevent these tragedies. You can significantly reduce the risk by following a few tips, click here to watch a water safety video I filmed last year. You can also try to prevent these types of tragedies by following some tips from Safe Kids Worldwide:

• Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted.
• Empty all tubs, buckets, and kiddie pools immediately after use.
• Close toilet lids and use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning.
• Install fences around home pools.
• Know what to do in an emergency. Learning CPR and basic water rescue skills may help you save a life.

Help Stop the Spread

Starting today some businesses — including retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls — begin partial reopening in phase one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas. Now more than ever we need to continue our fight against the virus.

While some of you might be going back to work, there are simple things you can still do to keep yourself, colleagues and family protected: Make sure your workplace is clean; Stay 6 feet away from others; Wash your hands frequently, and use a face covering.

Please stay home if you are sick. If you want to get tested click here or call 832-927-7575. The Texas Division of Emergency created an interactive map where you can find your nearest testing locations, click here for more information.

If you need assistance dealing with the virus please visit readyharris.org. There are programs to help with basic needs including housing, food, and healthcare. Dial 211 for more information.

COVID-19 Report

The number of Harris County Sheriff’s Office employees diagnosed with coronavirus has reached 238, including 211 who work in the jail. There are currently 402 deputies, detention officers, and support staff on quarantine. As of Friday, 289 previously quarantined employees have returned to duty, including 70 who had tested positive for the virus. Thirteen Sheriff’s Office employees are currently hospitalized because of the virus.

A recent expansion of testing – which now includes inmates who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but are believed to have been exposed to the virus – has helped identify 411 infected inmates. This number includes 92 inmates who previously tested positive for coronavirus and have now recovered and 145 inmates who tested positive but have no symptoms.

You Are Not Alone

This month we also celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. One of my priorities is caring for those suffering from a mental health issue. For more information about our mental health programs please visit http://www.harriscountycit.org/. Click here to read our 2019 Annual Report. 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.

Here are some tips from the World Health Organization for coping with stress during the pandemic:

• It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared, or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help. Contact your friends and family.
• If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle – including proper diet, sleep, and exercise.
• Don’t use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to someone.
• Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage previous life’s adversities.

As we work to free ourselves from the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to thank our residents for the sacrifices and commitment to help flatten the curve. I’m optimistic this month will bring new opportunities for all of us. Let’s continue to work together and stay strong. God bless you, and God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

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As our county battles the COVID-19 pandemic, we prioritize our third core value, to protect our residents with honor and courage. Unfortunately, we are not immune. As of Friday, 181 teammates — including 163 who work in the Harris County Jail — tested positive for coronavirus. And as of Friday, 129 inmates in the jail have tested positive for COVID-19.

I’m thankful 39 employees who previously tested positive for the virus, have recovered, and are now back on duty. I keep praying for the recovery of our eight teammates currently hospitalized with COVID-19.

It has been a difficult week. My teammates and I are heartbroken. We had to say goodbye to two members of our family. We lost retired reserve Lt. Tom Morgan and we also lost a beloved patrol deputy.

World War II veteran Lt. Morgan passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, April 21, at the age of 99. He retired as Texas’ oldest certified lawman at the age of 98. Please keep the Morgan family in your thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.

We are also extremely sad to report the passing of a patrol deputy who took his own life. He was a 36-year-old and served our residents for five years. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

If you are thinking of harming yourself, please seek help. Your life matters. Please dial the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD activated the COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 833-251-7544 to help our community. Call 713-221-6000 or 911 if it’s an emergency.

This week our HCSO Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) was expanded by four deputies, bringing our total to 10. We will now have a team assigned to each of our five patrol districts. Our Homeless Outreach Team helps educate the homeless and takes other steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Click here to watch a video of our Homeless Outreach Team helping our community during the pandemic.

Beginning this Saturday, April 25, our District 2, located in northeast Harris County, will have a District Tactical Unit (DTU) aimed at disrupting, dismantling, and apprehending violent criminal offenders.

Protect Yourself

Harris County, we made it through another week. Now more than ever, we need to be united as a community and make a difference.

On Wednesday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed a new order requiring all residents over the age of 10 to wear a face-covering when out in public. It takes effect Monday, April 27, and remains in effect for 30 days. For more information about the order please click here. Our agency is taking an educational approach to the order, urging residents to voluntarily comply. Our goal is to keep our residents safe. Patrol deputies are being given a few extra masks to offer to residents they meet without one.

The Harris County Public Health encourages residents to get tested for COVID-19 if you feel you have it or have been in contact with someone who tested positive. Click here for more information. HCPH also recommends to keep enforcing the following steps to protect ourselves against the virus:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask
• Practice social distancing
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects
• Stay home when you feel sick
• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

If you need assistance dealing with coronavirus please visit readyharris.org. There are programs for our residents to help with basic needs including housing, food, and healthcare. Dial 211 for more information.

Stay Alert and Safe

In the last few days, my team has seen far too many car accidents. This last week two children — a one-year-old and a four-year-old — lost their lives in separate car crashes because they weren’t in their child safety seats. Car seats save lives and prevent injuries. Please inspect your child’s car seat to make sure it’s properly installed. SAFE KIDS Greater Houston is offering a virtual car seat check. Call 832-822-2277 for more information. I implore all of our residents to slow down, buckle up, and don’t drink and drive. Please be safe!

Harris County, we are resilient and we will get through this together. Let’s count our blessings, and keep moving forward. God bless you, and God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

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Our men and women of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are on the front lines of this pandemic carrying out our oath to fight crime and serve every Harris County resident. As we battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to do our part; please do yours and we will get through this together.

This week our hearts are heavy as we vow to never forget retired HCSO Deputy Hilbert Nunez, 57, who passed away due to COVID-19. He retired in April 2017 after 34 years of service. Our condolences go out to his family. May he rest in peace.

As of Friday, 115 employees have tested positive for the virus, with 100 of the positive test results being among those who work in the Harris County Jail. Thankfully, 137 previously quarantined employees – including 11 who previously tested positive for the virus – are now healthy and have returned to duty.

Five of our teammates are currently in the hospital, including Sgt. Raymond Scholwinski. Help us to continue praying for their prompt recovery as they battle the virus.

Seventy-one inmates have tested positive for COVID-19.

We’re working hard to slow the spread of COVID-19, especially among our 2,000-plus employees who work in the jail. I’m forever thankful to our Harris County Jail teammates for their commitment and service. Click here to read the measures taken in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 among our staff and inmates.

Resources for You

It’s important to remember that the virus doesn’t move – people move it. Please practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, disinfect surfaces, and stay home if you can. If you need to go out, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises wearing simple cloth face coverings in public to help slow the spread of the virus while conducting essential activities.

The fight against the virus requires some sacrifices and now more than ever we need to take care of our mental and physical health. According to the World Health Organization here are tips on how to stay active at home during the pandemic:

• Reduce long periods of time spent sitting
• Set up a daily routine to be active
• If you go for a walk or bicycle ride practice social distancing
• Do not exercise if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing

It’s important to take care of our mental health. The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD activated the COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 833-251-7544 to help our community. If you are in a mental health crisis, help is always available. Call 911 or 713-221-6000.

Remember that you are not alone, we are in this together. If you need help or advice dealing with COVID-19 please visit readyharris.org. There are resources available to help you during this time. If you are showing symptoms of illness related to the virus — such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath — please click here for more information or call 832-927-7575 if you don’t have access to the internet.

The community keeps coming together in these trying times. We have received multiple donations — of personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies — to protect our deputies, correction officers, medical staff and inmates during the pandemic. To our community members, I’m extremely grateful for your generosity and support. An act of kindness during a stressful time can make an enormous impact.

Even though we are a bit farther apart these days — we will get through this. We have seen adversity before, and I know we will persevere. This is what makes us strong. I hope all of our residents have a good weekend, keep the faith, and stay positive. God bless you, and God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

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As we embark on another critical week in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to thank our residents for staying home and helping us flatten the curve. Slowing the spread is a shared responsibility and I appreciate the sacrifices everyone is making.

It’s a trying time for all, no one is immune from the virus and thousands of first responders are risking their lives more than usual right now.

This week, we gathered to lift in prayer Sergeant Raymond Scholwinski — who is in critical condition at a local hospital — and all 38 HCSO teammates who have now contracted the virus. You can watch the video of the prayer vigil below.

I believe in the power of prayer and want to ask you to join me in praying for my teammates and all first responders infected with the virus. Also, I’m glad to welcome back 75 employees who have now been released from quarantine and returned to work.

The number of HCSO teammates who have received positive test results for COVID-19 has grown to 37. And five inmates in the Harris County Jail have tested positive for the virus. We are working with Harris County Public Health to identify co-workers, inmates, and members of the public who may have had close contact with the diagnosed employees so they can take necessary precautions.

All jail employees have been issued protective masks and are instructed to wear them while on duty. All inmates have also been issued masks. Regular temperature checks are performed daily on all employees as they report for duty.

Additional staff members have also been assigned to field calls on the Inmate Care Concern phone line to help family and friends share concerns about the quality of care their loved ones are receiving. You can call 713-274-7477, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Inmate Care Concerns may also be submitted online here.

This Sunday we kick off National Telecommunicators week. I want to thank all of our communications teammates who serve a vital role in protecting our county. We celebrate all of you this week and you have my sincere appreciation for your service and your commitment to helping our residents.

Staying Safe During COVID-19

Life as we know it has come to a halt, but domestic violence has not. Stay-at-home measures may help prevent the virus, but you may now find yourself in a dangerous situation. No one should feel alone or unsafe. Please remember that you are not alone and we are here to help you. Do not give up, send us a message or call 713-221-6000 for help.

You can also contact the Houston Area Women’s Center at 713-528-2121 and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224, or text LOVEIS to 22522. If you are in danger, please call 911 immediately.

Recovery Resources

If you need help or advice dealing with COVID-19 please visit readyharris.org. There are programs to assist with basic needs including housing, food, and healthcare. Dial 2-1-1 for more information.

If you are showing symptoms of illness such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath please click here for the screening tool to determine whether you may need further assessment or need to be tested for COVID-19. Stay informed with the latest COVID-19 data from the county with the Harris County Public Health dashboard, click here. If you have any questions please email them to stayhome@cjo.hctx.net and call 832-839-694 to report violators.

This is the time to stay on course and be stronger than ever. My team and I will continue to protect and serve through this crisis. Thank you to our constituents for your support. I hope everyone has a great Easter holiday. God bless all of you, and God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

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