Sheriff Message

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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We humbly pay tribute to those who have served our country and the many veterans in our agency who continue serving their communities. This week, and all year long, we celebrate these American heroes who have fought and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom.

On Veterans Day, we joined communities across our county and nation to honor our veterans and show appreciation for their patriotism and willingness to serve and live a life of sacrifice. We owe them an enduring debt of gratitude.

On Wednesday morning, we visited the Houston National Cemetery to place 500 American flags on the graves of past service members and to pay our respects to our fallen heroes. It was an important reminder of the neighbors and loved ones we’ve lost and a moment to salute their legacy and ultimate sacrifice. We paused to reflect on the history of our armed forces and the battles they’ve fought for the opportunities we have today. Later that evening, District 2 deputies participated in a drive-by celebration for World War II veteran Vincent Moreno. The 96-year-old war hero was greeted by honks, sirens, and lines of his neighbors cheering.

Houston has one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, with more than 300,000 military veterans calling the Greater Houston area home. Veterans lift up the entire community and play a large role in our region’s growth and overall success. They are a part of the communities they serve. Veterans are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our leaders. They represent and embody everything we should aspire to be – resilient and service-minded. Their stories and experiences inspire others to give back with pride.

At the Sheriff’s Office, we honor our deputies and teammates who have served in the US Armed Forces and continue their public service journey as first responders and public servants. We benefit greatly from their wealth of experience and commitment to teamwork and community.

We empower our veterans and foster a supportive culture for them. In their annual “Best for Vets” employer rankings, The Military Times has recognized the Harris County Sheriff’s Office as a top government and nonprofit organization employer for veterans. Hundreds of employers in the nation compete for the recognition, providing in-depth data on their culture, recruiting, policies, and resources related to veterans, service members, and military families. If you’re looking to make a difference, learn more about our career opportunities here.

We’re grateful for the veterans in our ranks and their countless contributions to the Sheriff’s Office. We celebrate them always. Meet some of the many current and past service members across our divisions via our Veterans Day tribute video.

God bless you, and God bless the Sheriff’s Office.

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