SOLUTIONS FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES

As a mother, lawyer, and former judge, Commissioner Briones is dedicated to addressing the entirety of the criminal justice system to create a safe and secure environment where children, families, and communities can grow and thrive.

To improve the quality of justice and to help further reduce the court backlog, Commissioner Briones championed the addition of six new criminal district courts and one additional probate court in Harris County last year. Three of those criminal courts opened in fall of 2023, and the other three are scheduled to launch in October 2024.

Here are other updates to Precinct 4’s justice and safety initiatives:

RAISED LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY

Commissioners Court increased law enforcement officer pay with 7% raises in 2022 and 2023. Plus, Commissioners approved a 12% raise to detention officers in 2023 to improve the safety of all within the Harris County jail. Commissioner Briones is continuing to partner with law enforcement to find ways to increase officer recruitment and retention rates.

STRATEGIC ASSIGNMENT OF 911 CALLS

Since the start of the TeleDeputy program, Precinct 4 has helped triple the capacity for Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) officers to take virtual and desk calls, freeing patrol officers to respond to more urgent calls.

SUPPORTED INCARCERATED WOMEN RE-ENTERING SOCIETY

As of June 2024, 615 women have been enrolled in services through the re-entry program at the Women’s Empowerment Center, and over 395 women have been connected to financial assistance, transitional housing, food resources, and more.

NON-VIOLENT CALLS DIVERTED FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT

Since HART’s expansion into HCSO District IV, which includes Precinct 4, in 2023, there have been over 11,000 HART responses; HART has also conducted over 6,000 needs assessments to connect residents to services that address mental health and substance use, housing and shelter, and food assistance.

REDUCTION IN COURT BACKLOG

$64 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding has been invested to reduce the court case backlog, which has decreased nearly 60% for felony cases and 66% for misdemeanor cases.

Hurricane Preparedness Workshops

Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. – Noon Workshop at Radack Community Center 18650 Clay Road, Houston, TX 77084

Saturday, July 27, 2 – 4 p.m. Workshop at Kendall Library 609 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston, TX 77079

Saturday, August 10 Noon – 2 p.m. Spanish Language Workshop at Burnett Bayland Community Center 6026 Chimney Rock Road, Houston, TX 77081