HCSO Newsletter #187 - Stay Safe and Enjoy the Summer Season

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Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:

As we kick off the summer season, it's crucial to prioritize safety, especially in and around water and on the roads. While the warm weather beckons us to enjoy swimming and outdoor activities, it also brings potential risks that we must be mindful of. This time of year, known as the '100 deadliest days of summer' for teenagers, typically sees an increase in crashes and fatalities on the road. However, we can all contribute to a safer summer by taking simple precautions.

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death, particularly among children, during the summer months. To ensure safety around water, it is vital to always supervise children in or near water. Assign a responsible adult to keep an eye on the pool at all times and never assume someone else is watching. It's also important to ensure that everyone in your family knows how to swim, as swimming lessons significantly reduce the risk of drowning.

If you have a pool at home, installing a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate can prevent unsupervised access by children. Inexperienced swimmers and young children should always wear life jackets, even in the pool. Avoiding alcohol when swimming or supervising swimmers is also essential, as alcohol and swimming can be a deadly mix. Additionally, learning CPR is crucial as it can make a critical difference in an emergency while waiting for professional help to arrive.

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often called the '100 Deadliest Days' for teenage drivers. During these months, the number of fatal car crashes involving teens increases significantly. Parents should establish clear driving rules to keep our teenagers safe on the roads, including restrictions on nighttime driving and the number of passengers allowed in the car.

Encourage your teen to put their phone away while driving, as texting or using a phone is one of the most dangerous distractions. Emphasize the importance of wearing seat belts at all times because seat belts save lives and reduce the risk of serious injury. It's also crucial to stress the importance of following speed limits, as speeding is a significant factor in many teenage car crashes.

Have a conversation with your teens about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and ensure they know they can call you for a ride if they find themselves in an unsafe driving situation.

By remaining vigilant and following these safety tips, we can help prevent tragedies and ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone. Let's make this summer memorable for all the right reasons by prioritizing safety in and out of the water and on the roads.

WATCH: Water Safety Tips

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff's Office are emphasizing the importance of water safety, especially in the San Jacinto River in east Harris County, where numerous drownings have occurred.

Deputy Bassett from the Marine Unit shares water safety tips for anyone swimming or boating in the river. It's crucial to prioritize water safety at all times!

HCSO in the News

CW39: Harris County Sheriff’s Office puts out call to recent high school grads to join their ranks

HOUSTON (KIAH) — When they take off their caps and gowns, a local law enforcement agency hopes they’ll don uniforms and badges.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a hiring event for recent high school graduates, and they’re advertising it on social media.

KHOU: 'He should be here with us' | Son of fallen Harris County deputy escorted to high school graduation

HOUSTON — The son of a fallen deputy was escorted during an important milestone Saturday. His blue family stood by his side during his high school graduation.

"Feels good," said Nomar Gutierrez, a graduate of Klein Oak High School.

Graduating high school was a big achievement he had to do without his dad, who he lost a little over two years ago.

KHOU: Harris County jail brings in new team of drug-detecting dogs to cut down on illegal contraband

HOUSTON — A new team of drug-detecting dogs has joined daily efforts to crack down on narcotics and other items being smuggled into Harris County jail buildings.

The K9 unit was introduced in April to “provide additional protection against the infiltration of dangerous contrabands,” according to a Facebook post from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

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HCSO Teammates of the Week

Harris County Sheriff's Office Teammates of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the HCSO highlight exceptional teammates who serve others above and beyond their duties. We regularly receive positive emails, thank you notes, and phone calls from the community.

"I was held in jail recently for 64 days. I wanted to share how much I appreciated and adored Detention Officer Y. Scott. She was a bright light on my darkest days. She was so kind and truly made a difference in my life. I feel blessed that she was there while I was there. I will always remember her kindness," said a Harris County resident.

Detention Officer Scott joined our agency in 2021 and works in the Harris County Jail.

"Deputy Joel Montemayor works the front desk of the Harris County Jail transfer center at 701 N. San Jacinto. My wife and I were there to bail our daughter out of jail, and we were terrified and lost when we arrived. Deputy Montemayor sensed this, calmed our nerves, and clarified what we needed to do. He offered to call us when our daughter was available to post bail, and he did. His caring assistance really helped us in our time of need. We wanted to take this time to recognize and thank him for his loving and calming approach."

Deputy Montemayor joined our agency five years ago. He started his law enforcement career in 1994.

Begin Your Career at HCSO!

Are you interested in starting a career in law enforcement? The Harris County Sheriff's Office invites you to our upcoming Career Fair that will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, June 8, at the HCSO Academy, located at 2316 Atascocita Road, Humble, TX 77396.

To be eligible for these positions, candidates must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or an equivalent degree. This event is open to the public, and no prior experience is necessary!

For more information about career opportunities at HCSO, please visit HCSOJobs.com or call 713-877-5250. We hope to see y'all there!

Congratulations Lt. Mike Nguyen

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is proud to share that Lt. Mike Nguyen received this year’s Community Builder Award from Holland Masonic Lodge No. 1 for his significant contributions to our community throughout his public service career.

Lt. Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American immigrant and a 16-year veteran of HCSO. He has gone above and beyond for the community by organizing food drives and scholarship opportunities for underprivileged children.

Congratulations, Lt. Nguyen!

Congratulations Stepping Stones Graduates

Congratulations to the 12 women at the Women's Empowerment Center (WEC) who have graduated from the Stepping Stones to Mental Wellness Program. This curriculum is part of the re-entry program aimed at helping women heal from trauma and past abuse. We would like to extend our gratitude to retired Federal Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore for being our guest speaker and sharing wisdom with the women.

Congratulations Nomar Gutierrez

Harris County Sheriff's Office teammates had the honor of supporting Nomar Gutierrez, the son of HCSO fallen Sgt. Ramon Gutierrez, as he graduated from Klein Oak High School on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Sgt. Gutierrez passed away on January 24, 2022, after a fatal collision while directing traffic. He was a 20-year veteran of our agency and spent the last thirteen years in our Vehicular Crimes Division. He is gone but never forgotten.

Congratulations Nomar! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

Farewell K9 Trey

We are sad to report the passing of our beloved Retired HCSO K9 Trey.

K9 Trey passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, with his handler Sgt. Michael Boehm by his side.

K9 Trey was a dual-purpose Patrol/Narcotics canine named in honor of fallen Deputy Jesse "Trey" Valdez III, who was tragically killed in the line of duty in 2014.

K9 Trey faithfully served the residents of Harris County for seven years. During his career, he helped seize illegal narcotics and over $300,000 in currency and assisted in arresting numerous violent felons.

Sgt. Boehm and K9 Trey shared a unique bond. Trey's retirement allowed him to enjoy a well-deserved rest, surrounded by the love and care of Sgt. Boehm and his family.

Trey served with unwavering loyalty and dedication. His presence will be sorely missed, and his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those privileged to work alongside him.

We extend our deepest condolences to Sgt. Boehm, his family, and those who worked with K9 Trey.

May you rest in peace, K9 Trey. Thank you for your service. We have the watch from here!

Recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Month

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are honoring victims and survivors of gun violence on National Gun Violence Awareness Month. To help reduce gun violence, always secure your weapons. We provide free gun locks year-round. For information, contact the HCSO Community Engagement Division at 346-286-3125.

Be prepared for Hurricane Season

June marks the beginning of Hurricane Season. Don't wait until a warning is issued and the stores are empty or closed. Click HERE for some tips. Prepare an emergency plan and ensure every family member knows what to do.

HCSO Celebrates Pride Month

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is a diverse and inclusive agency that celebrates June as Pride Month.

HCSO Vacation Watch

Are you planning on traveling? We've got you covered! Our Vacation Watch Program offers added security when you're away from home. Learn more about the service and sign up by clicking here.

Important Items

Visit the Intranet and stay informed.

Introducing Aetna’s Resources for Living Online Scheduler

Happy PRIDE Month! Our fourth meeting of Brown Bag & Book Club is coming up soon. Join us on June 28th, 2024, between 12 pm and 1 pm at the Administration Building downtown at 1001 Preston (more details below).

As a reminder, here are the winning titles and schedule for the rest of 2024. Mark your calendars! We will send out a new registration link every month to confirm your spot.

One question we often get is, " What if I don’t finish the book in time?” Don’t worry if you are not able to fully finish the book; just come and join us. Our HCPL host, Celest Bleu, does an amazing job guiding us, so you’ll be able to jump in and share your thoughts on the different themes of the books!

Book Pick:

We have an amazing pick for June! It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage, a debut book from investor and founder Arlan Hamilton. This book is equal parts memoir and how-to for people who are generally underestimated in society. The author recounts their early career as a music tour producer and how they transitioned into venture capital and became a founder of Backstage Capital.

The book was listed on Fortune’s 10 Best Business Books of The Year (2020). Hamilton has also been awarded and featured in Fortune 40 Under 40 (2018) and Fast Company Queer 50 (2021-2022).

“They like to call it a diversity fund, I call it the About Damn Time fund.” – Arlan Hamilton

Getting Your Book:

We’ve teamed up with the Harris County Public Library to make it easy to get your hands on a copy of the book club’s literary pick! The HCPL Programs & Partnerships Librarian, Celeste Bleu, is here to help! Don’t have a library card yet? No worries! Click the link and get a virtual iKnow Card for instant access to eBooks and eAudiobooks through the free Libby app.

If you prefer a physical copy, visit your local library to get a full-service Knowledge Card. You can search for it in the catalog, or a librarian can help you find it.

If it’s more convenient for you, feel free to travel to your local bookstore or window shop online to purchase your very own copy of the book club’s monthly pick! Need help? Email Celeste at Celeste.Bleu@hcpl.net.

Details:

We have limited in-person seats and virtual TEAMS seats.

Date: June 28th, 2024 - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: The Administration Building – Downtown Houston (For in-person attendees)

1001 Preston St. Houston Tx, 77002

Raycraft Room, 5th Floor

Check-in with the front desk operator, and she or an OCA rep will escort you to the Raycraft Room.

Join In-Person (40 Seats Available):

For those meeting in person, we are at the Administration Building. Parking options include general paid parking, metro, walking, or biking. To secure your spot for the in-person option, fill out the registration below!

Join Virtually (55 Seats Available):

Due to limited virtual seating capacity, we encourage all interested employees to register promptly to secure their virtual spot. Once you complete the registration process, a TEAMS link will be sent to your email inbox for access to the event.

We understand that your best-laid plans sometimes come undone due to work or family issues so if you have to cancel your registration, no problem. Please email OCAevents@harriscountytx.gov to let us know you can’t make it. We’ll keep a waitlist so we can offer your spot to another reader.

Click HERE to register for the June 28 Event

Click HERE for Book Titles and Schedule 2024

Email us if you have any questions at OCAevents@harriscountytx.gov

Keep reading, keep learning, and let’s continue our journey as we feed our minds with literature and discussion.

Introducing Aetna’s Resources for Living Online Scheduler

Welcome to the Harris County EAP online scheduler, where you can schedule an appointment with a Dedicated Counselor!

You can get support on a variety of topics, including relationships, mood issues, eating, sleep, depression, stress, burnout, loneliness, parenting, self-esteem, and more. This service is completely confidential, and no information regarding your participation is shared.

Aetna’s Resources for Living is an employer-sponsored program, available at no cost to you and all members of your household. Children living away from home are covered up to age 26. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Appointments are conducted virtually and can be scheduled for 25- or 50-minute sessions.
Same-day appointments may be available.
There is no cost for this appointment.
This service is available for Harris County employees only. Dependents and household members can call 833-657-2111 for EAP resources.

To schedule an appointment, visit Schedule Appointment with RFL Online Scheduler, then select one of the following providers by clicking on Book next to their name for the desired appointment duration, and then select a date and time.

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HCSO Newsletter #186 - Prioritizing Road Safety and Mental Health

HCSO Newsletter #186- Prioritizing Road Safety and Mental Health Visit the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homepage Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: At the Harris County Sheriff's Office, we recognize