Our men and women of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office prioritize our First Core Value: Merit, and maintain the public’s trust. It sets the foundation of that relationship we strive to achieve with the community we serve. We are a diverse and inclusive agency that aims to reflect the county we serve. Being an inclusive agency means we celebrate June as Pride Month. And we celebrate the fact that many LGBTQ members of our agency serve openly and with absolute pride.
Since I’ve been Sheriff, every year HCSO has been in attendance and participated in the Houston Pride Parade, just like we march in parades that celebrate so many other aspects of our great community. Unfortunately, given the impact of this pandemic, Houston’s 2020 Pride parade was postponed to the fall. I encourage members from the LGBTQ community to apply and become a part of our very inclusive family, please click here for more information or call us at 713-877-5250.
Prepare for a hurricane
June also marks the beginning of Hurricane Season, which ends in November. You can’t stop a hurricane, but you can prepare now to protect you and your loved ones. Don’t wait until a warning is issued and the stores are empty or closed. Prepare an emergency plan and make sure every member of your family knows what to do.
Please follow these important hurricane preparedness tips from CDC:
- Get emergency supplies: Have enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectant supplies, cloth face coverings, pet supplies in your go-bag, or car trunk.
- Make a plan: Create a family disaster plan.
- Avoid flooded areas: Take precautions before, during, and after a flood.
- Prepare to Evacuate: Never ignore an evacuation order.
- Protect older adults: Understand older adult health and medical concerns.
- Protect your pets: Ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after an emergency.
- Stay safe after a hurricane: Learn how to avoid injuries, make sure your food and water are safe, and clean up mold safely.
- Review Important Documents: Make sure your insurance policies and personal documents like ID are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a secure password-protected digital space.
- Strengthen your Home: Declutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture, consider hurricane shutters.
- Stay informed: with your local weather authority.
Protecting our residents
Last week, Crisis Intervention Response Team Deputy Doucet and Clinician Porter, from the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, were able to help a man who was threatening to kill himself with a knife. Deputy Doucet showed extreme patience and self-control, while relying on his training to manage the situation. Thank you Deputy Doucet for de-escalating the situation and saving a life.
The Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) was implemented in September 2011. This is a co-responder program pairing a CIT-trained deputy with a masters-level clinician. These teams respond to the most serious calls involving individuals in a mental health crisis. In 2019, CIRT responded to 4,430 calls, conducted 1,209 evaluations, and conducted 242 jail diversions. For more information about CIRT click here.
The City of Humble proclaimed May 28, 2020, as “Raymond Scholwinski Day.” Thank you for honoring our friend and teammate. Please continue to pray for his family and loved ones. Your brothers and sisters in blue have the watch from here.
Stay alert
The battle against the pandemic continues and protective measures remain just as vital today to control the spread as they were at the outset of this pandemic. Getting past this virus is a shared responsibility. Practice social distancing whenever you can, wash your hands, cover your face with a mask, and help us flatten the curve. If you want to get tested click here or call 832-927-7575.
I’m optimistic this month will bring new opportunities for all of us. Stay positive, count your blessings, and keep moving forward. I hope everyone has a great weekend. God bless you, and God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.