Date: April 8, 2014

Contact: Barbara Thomason 281-440-4160

President

Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce

Safety and Security Through Public –Private Partnering

Houston, Spring, Klein, Cypress – Community safety and security are of prime importance according to a study funded by the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce in March 2014. When 77 individuals representing 66 businesses/organizations in the service area of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce were asked how they rated the importance of safety and security to the economic health of the region, 83% ranked it as HIGH, 14% ranked it MEDIUM and 3% ranked it as LOW.

Simultaneously two efforts have been underway to increase the safety and security of residential and commercial areas. In the same way we have obtained many positive developments in this community, caring citizens came together to work with law enforcement professionals to address residential and business crime. Community advocates Bob Jackson, Al Brooks, and Tony Ashford were not satisfied with the status quo. They worked diligently with Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia to establish a process to cause residents to take a greater responsibility for the security of their homes. “This Sheriff-resident partnership will help deter crime and improve the working relationship between residents and contract patrolmen…all at no additional cost.” explains Jackson.

The program has been piloted in the Champions and Copperfield subdivisions because they currently have HCSO Sheriff deputy contracts for their neighborhoods. Citizens in these communities can request an on-site review of their home’s security and safety features by contacting the HCSO’s Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at (713) 759-9454. They should identify which of these two neighborhoods they live in and ask to schedule a “Home Security Review”. Homeowners will be asked to sign a “Hold Harmless” agreement before the officer can conduct the review. Those homeowners completing the review can receive a sign showing the Harris County Sheriff’s logo and “Home Security Review”. The sign looks similar to those posted by security companies and should serve to deter crime.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jay Coons adds, “The last two decades have taught us the value of close communication between law enforcement and the citizens we serve. The home survey program represents an ideal opportunity for sheriff’s deputies to collaborate with citizens prior to an incident occurring and for citizens to learn how to make their homes more unappealing to burglars.”

This project depends on having sufficient trained deputies and citizens that care enough about their property and loved ones to take the step to request a review. It is hoped that with sufficient resources, that the program can expand to other subdivisions in the area in about six months or so.

“The Chamber has been interested in this project because deterring crime in the neighborhoods is good for us all, but it was also hoped that we could have a similar program executed in the commercial areas of the community”, adds Barbara Thomason, Houston Northwest Chamber president, “so now we are launching such a program in partnership with the Precinct Four Constable’s Office.”

The Business Security Survey Program was created under the leadership of Constable Ron Hickman and Asst. Chief Mark Herman. Businesses can obtain the survey and do a self-check and/or contact Sgt. Brent Combs with the Constables office at 281-401-6200 or . Sgt. Combs will either discuss the business owner’s questions over the phone or will arrange for an on-site visit by an officer when convenient for the business. The plan is that this program, as well as the Home Security Review, will be shared with the Sheriff’s office and the Constable’s offices respectively so that all are in sync with executing both programs.

“We want what is best for our communities, and by both agencies working together as a team we will make our citizens “ harder targets for criminals “, adds Chief Mark Herman.

The Houston Northwest Chamber has kept an eye on crime statistics with the guidance of Crime Prevention Forum chair Larry Lipton and colleagues that meet quarterly with Commissioner R. Jack Cagle to discuss strategies for improving safety and security.

“We intend to see a continuance of a very positive trend”, adds Thomason.

Business owners and managers can find a copy of the Business Security Survey on the Chamber’s homepage , www.HoustonNWChamber.org and on the Constable’s website at www.cd4.hctx.net . The Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce has enjoyed 40 years of service in north Houston, Spring, Klein, Champions, FM 1960, FM 2920, SH 249 and Sam Houston Tollway Corridors. The Chamber has over 700 members and is committed to its mission of developing successful businesses and a thriving community.