Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:
Crime Prevention Month recognizes the role each of us plays in promoting safety awareness and neighborhood unity. Crime prevention is most effective when residents, public safety agencies, businesses, houses of worship, and schools collaborate.
One of the most important aspects of crime prevention is increasing our awareness of our surroundings. We are the experts when it comes to knowing our own neighborhood the best.
Crime Prevention Tips
The National Crime Prevention Council and local law enforcement agencies join yearly to spread the word about personal safety and crime prevention resources.
Crime prevention starts with you. Take precautions to reduce your vulnerability to certain crimes, including theft, fraud, and property crime.
- Stay active in your community. Join your homeowner association or Neighborhood Watch Program.
- Be aware of the crimes being reported in your area.
- Sign up for Nextdoor, a social platform that lets you make online connections with your neighbors to exchange helpful information about your community. Follow our agency to become more aware of how we support and serve you daily.
- Keep your doors locked. Protect windows and sliding glass doors with good locks or other security measures.
- The Sheriff’s Office offers an added sense of security when you go out of town through its Vacation Watch Program.
- Park in well-lit, busy areas. Hide valuables in your car or remove them entirely from your car.
See Something, Say Something
See something, say something. We need everyone to be involved and energized in their efforts to protect themselves, their family, and their property.
Contact Us
Are you looking for more crime prevention tips and resources? Call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement Division at 346-286-3125 or visit the National Crime Prevention Council’s website.
WATCH: HCSO Stands Against Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The HCSO Victim Assistance Unit works collaboratively with our partners to help victims. It was established in 2017 as part of the Adult Special Crimes Unit to assist and support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault on their journey to becoming survivors.
This specialized unit assesses a victim’s needs and provides:
- Immediate crisis intervention.
- Working collaboratively with our domestic violence partners in the community to find emergency shelter.
- Legal resources.
- Other critical services that help victims navigate the criminal justice system.
- The Violent Crimes Advocates respond to active scenes in real time.
Contact Us
At the Sheriff’s Office, we take our duty seriously to help those hurt by someone who is supposed to love them. If you are in a domestic violence situation or want to report a domestic violence, contact one of the numbers below:
- If you are in immediate danger, call or text 911.
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Victims Unit: 713-274-9369.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can text 88788.
We stand together with domestic violence victims, survivors, and the many organizations in our region whose mission is to end domestic and sexual violence for all.
Donation Drive to Support Victims of Domestic Violence
The HCSO Victim Assistance Unit works collaboratively with our partners to help victims. HCSO is accepting donations for local non-profit organizations to assist domestic violence and sexual assault victims. The donation drive ends on October 27. You can drop off your donations at four drop-off locations.
HCSO Ford Mustang Mach-E
Meet the latest add to our fleet, the Ford Mustang GT Mach-E. These fully electric vehicles w/480 HP & 0-60mph in 3.5 secs will beef up traffic enforcement duty. From horseback to this modern-day Pony, the HCSO is committed to being a 21st Century Leading Law Enforcement Agency.
HCSO In The News
KPRC: Billboard campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month launches in partnership with Rockets Forward Tari Eason
“The Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence organization launched its billboard campaign on Thursday ahead of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. The billboards were donated by Clear Channel Outdoor.
According to a news release, the campaign, featuring Houston Rockets Forward Tari Eason, will be seen across Harris and Fort Bend counties on six surface street billboards and 52 freeway billboards in English and Spanish.”
KHOU: What you can do to stay safe with the rise in jugging incidents in and around Houston
“Law enforcement authorities across the Houston area want people to be extra aware whenever they visit an ATM. They said criminals are getting more organized, and even traveling farther, when it comes to identifying and tracking down their victims. “It’s so easy to become a victim at any point in time,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Cutis Jones said.
My Neighborhood News: Harris County Sheriff’s Office Honors National Hispanic Heritage Month
“National Hispanic Month is about acknowledging the various Hispanic cultures within our communities,” said Sgt. Castro. “I honor my mother and the sacrifices she made growing up by implementing the work ethic, compassion and humility she taught me. I’m able to relate to Spanish-speaking members of my community by being able to communicate with them and showing kids that they can do it, too.”
The HCSO Honor Guard presented the colors at the Astros Game 2 last Sunday, October 8, 2023. What an honor! Let’s go, Astros!
National Night Out 2023
2023 National Night Out: Despite the inclement weather, we enjoyed interacting with our residents and creating memories. Click here to view the photos. We look forward to next year’s NNO!
WATCH: Congratulations to the newly promoted HCSO members!
Last week, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office hosted a promotion ceremony for 22 teammates. Congratulations, and we wish them all the best! Click here to view the photo gallery.
HCSO Coffee and Careers
Thanks so much to everyone who joined the HCSO Coffee and Careers Event! For those of you looking for a new career opportunity, we are hiring! Call 713-877-5250 or visit HCSOJobs.com for more information.
Hispanic Heritage Month
As we come to the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are highlighting our agency’s leaders.
Upcoming HCSO Events
HCSO Trunk-Or-Treat Events
Join Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at our annual Trunk-or-Treat events. Bring the kids to get candy and have spooky fun!
HCSO Trunk-or-Treat October 20, 2023
HCSO District 3 Substation, located at 14350 Wallisville Rd, Houston, TX 77049. From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
HCSO Trunk-or-Treat October 25, 2023
Julia C. Hester Community Center & HCSO Parks Unit, located at 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
HCSO Open House and Hiring Expo!
Join Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at the HCSO Open House and Hiring Expo on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the HCSO Academy, located at 2316 Atascocita Road, Humble, TX 77396.
Candidates can take advantage of this opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the HCSO Training Academy and the countless ways to grow your future career! We will have academy tours, on-site testing, Q&A sessions, testimonials, and more.
If you know someone looking for a new career opportunity, we are hiring detention officers, communication officers, deputy cadets, lateral deputies, and more. For more information, contact the HCSO Recruiting Unit at 713-877-5250 or visit HCSOJobs.com.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Have unused prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet? Join the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Visit two locations:
7900 Will Clayton Pkwy
23828 Tomball Pkwy
For more information, visit dea.gov/takebackday.
Family Fall Fest
Join the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at a free Family Fall Fest on Saturday, November 4, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The fest will be at Windwood Presbyterian Church, 10555 Spring Cypress Rd, Houston, TX 77070.
