For some time now the West U Police Department has been listing on our web site persons arrested in West U, and their usually lengthy criminal histories, in an effort to educate our residents about the failure of the criminal justice system in Harris County. The failure of Harris County to perform their duty has pushed the problem back down to the local level. Police officers throughout Harris County are arresting the same people who have been released by the Courts, which has made the Houston metro area and more specifically West U residents and our officers less safe.
On Tuesday, April 7th, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo organized a press conference of over thirty law enforcement executives in Harris County to speak about the dangers caused by the failure of the Harris County criminal justice system. Numerous examples of dangerous criminals being released on low bonds or no bonds were given. These low/no bonds are being set by Harris Co. judges and magistrates appointed by the Harris Co. judges. I’ve attached a link to the press conference. Please take the time to view the video. I know it’s long but it will give you a better understanding of what law enforcement in Harris County is facing and how it endangers the lives of all people in our county. I have also attached below a statement about Harris County from Chief Gene Ellis, president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association. We had hoped that the Houston media would follow up and help educate residents but they failed to give the issue proper coverage.
If, after viewing the video, you are concerned about the safety of our community I ask that you do two things: first contact Harris County elected officials to voice your concern and two talk to anyone you may know in the media and ask why they’re not properly covering this dangerous situation.
Thank you, stay safe.
Watch the press conference here.
The following is a statement from Chief Gene Ellis, President of the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
Harris County Inmate Release
On Friday, April 3, 2020, and again on Monday, April 6, 2020, TPCA participated in a conference call with the Houston area chiefs and other law enforcement executives hosted by Houston Chief Art Acevedo. The focus of these calls was to organize a response to the release of violent and habitual offenders on ridiculously low bonds. Following the conference call last Friday, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office shared some videos of bail hearings of Harris County jail inmates. It was shocking to watch a robbery suspect being released on a $1 bond and a habitual offender with a parole warrant released on a $10 bond. A press conference was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at an outdoor venue in Houston to shed light on this extreme risk to public safety for all Texans. Chief Acevedo delivered a powerful message to the public about the dangerous actions by some judges in releasing violent offenders. Chief Ken Walker represented TPCA and spoke of the importance of keeping violent and habitual offenders off the street. It was great to see the united effort by all of the law enforcement executives in Harris County at making the public aware of what is really going on in these bail hearings.