On Wednesday, we joined county leaders and Harris County Public Health officials at a press conference announcing two pilot community violence prevention programs aimed at tackling the root causes of crime.
This is another step toward a comprehensive public safety strategy for reducing violent crime – an approach grounded in making communities safer by streamlining the most appropriate resources to residents and freeing up peace officers for serious crimes.
It’s also focused on engaging our communities as critical partners.
We are grateful to the County Judge and the entire Commissioners Court for thoughtfully investing in a holistic approach to public safety. And we are grateful to Director Barbie Robinson and the Harris County Public Health team for bringing forward another tool in the fight against reducing crime in our community.
Communities become better when we come together to address the most pressing public safety challenges. Collaboration is central to building and strengthening relationships.
The pilot programs, which will initially launch in the Cypress Station area in Harris County and the Sunnyside area in the City of Houston, are the culmination of months-long conversations around how to best address the social determinants of public health and violence. It’s about recognizing the links between violence, public health, and social disadvantage.
Our dedicated call takers at our emergency dispatch center will dispatch calls directly to specialized teams called Holistic Assistance Response Teams, sending trained professionals to intervene in non-violent situations and get help for people experiencing a crisis. Also known as HART teams, these health-based first responders will free up our deputies and police officers to focus on removing repeat violent offenders from our streets.
Cypress Station ranks among the top communities with high incidents of violent crime.
Our Crime Analysis and Intelligence Division worked closely with Harris County Public Health officials to help solidify Cypress Station as a pilot community.
In April of last year, a 3-year-old girl named Helena was critically wounded after being caught in the crossfire of a fatal drive-by shooting outside her family’s apartment in the 900 block of Cypress Station Drive.
Her mother was taking out the trash at the complex’s dumpster when it happened. Her parents, who are hearing impaired, were just getting back on their feet after years of experiencing homelessness. This grim story is not an outlier, but part of a consistent trend of tragic days in this community.
Residents deserve to ride their bikes, talk outside their driveways, play at a nearby park, carry their trash out, and take in everything that makes a neighborhood a home without fear.
Our dedicated Community Problem-Oriented Policing Unit deputies spend their time getting to know the businesses, schools, houses of worship, and neighborhoods in their patrol area. And through the Harris County Safe program, we’ve increased patrol and traffic enforcement efforts during days and times when the crime is most reported.
Our collective community outreach efforts empower our neighbors, many from our most vulnerable communities, with the tools, skills, and support to overcome barriers to success.
These pilot programs serve as a complement and force multiplier to our crime reduction efforts seen in our various dedicated units and task forces. It’s about taking further strategic steps toward a targeted, thoughtful approach to building healthier, safer communities.
Citizens’ Police Academy
We are hosting a Citizens’ Police Academy for residents to learn about the inner workings of our agency.
Starting March 31, every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. through May 5, at our training academy in Humble participants will learn about our programs and services, ask questions, and share feedback with the very leaders entrusted with protecting their community and safeguarding those in our custody.
Register Today
The training is free. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and a Harris County resident.
The application deadline is March 10.
If you have any questions, contact our Community Engagement Division at 346-286-3125.
Every Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
March 31 – May 5
HCSO Academy
3216 Atascocita Road
Humble, Texas, 77396
