HCSO Newsletter #40 | Kanye West Visits the Harris County Jail
Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:

Last Friday, Kanye West and his choir came to our jail to perform two shows for Harris County inmates. I was in the middle of it all – literally standing between the inmates and the performers – and I can state unequivocally that the experience had a profound impact on all who attended. Our job as law enforcement officials is to serve and protect our community, but that does not mean we have to lose our humanity or our compassion. I want to thank all of my teammates who worked hard to coordinate these events. To the detention officers, reentry personnel, chaplain office and all others involved, I am forever grateful for your work to show the world how the Harris County Sheriff’s Office gets the job done every single day. Below, you can see an extended video of some of the scenes from last Friday. They are powerful and remind us we have a duty to make sure the inmates in our jail today are prepared to eventually return to their communities better equipped to contribute to our collective well-being.

The performances last Friday continue to have impact within our agency. Below, you can see Don Savell, chaplaincy manager and Jennifer Herring, Director of reentry services, explain what the immediate effects of Kanye West’s visit have been like.
Just like that, the holiday season is upon us. For this holiday season, I’m encouraging all my teammates to share your holiday by donating non-perishable food items at select HCSO locations. Let’s do our part to ensure those less fortunate are able to eat a good holiday meal with their family. Donations will be taken from today until December 4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.* Locations listed below.

Thanks to all of you for your hard work and commitment, holding up our 5 core values, and service to Harris County. God bless all of you, and God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Locations:
District 1 Substation: 6831 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX, 77379
District 2 Substation: 7900 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble, TX, 77338
District 3 Substation: 14350 Wallisville Rd., Houston, TX, 77049
District 4 Substation: 16715 Clay Rd., Houston, TX, 77084
District 5 Substation: 23828 Tomball Pkwy., Houston, TX, 77375
701 Jail Facility: 701 N. San Jacinto, Houston, TX, 77002
1200 Jail Facility: 1200 Baker St., Houston, TX 77002
*Excluding county holiday November 28 and 29
Meet Your Teammate:
Head Nurse Dariel Newman
HCSO in the News
"It’s a tremendous impact. Beyond the lights, beyond the circumstances, beyond the ceremony, there were people there that showed they were broken and were very excited that God met them where they were at," said Don Savell..."
"They were scared off by responding deputies who found the device made of canisters, wires and a stun gun. The bomb squad and its massive robot spent hours rendering the device safe. A bomb squad tech broke it down."
“I’ll close simply with extending a challenge to all American law enforcement, small and large, don’t wait anymore. Do what’s right. The doors have been opened,” Gonzalez said.
HCSO Social Media
Important Items
Christmas Toy Drive
It's that time of the year again! Where we get to help make a HUGE difference! Please see the attached list and visit one of the HCSO Elves to sponsor one of these beautiful children today! We have 1000 Gifts to fill! Let's pull together to make this happen as we have done each year! 
Voluntary Diagnostic Physical Fitness Test
The Academy Staff will be administering a Volunteer Diagnostic Physical Fitness Test, which consist of 20 or more push-ups (1 minute), 45 or more sit-ups (2 minutes) and a 1.5 mile run (15:30 minutes or less).

DATES :  
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 (8:00 am/1:00 pm Session)
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 (8:00 am/1:00 pm Session)
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 (8:00 am/1:00pm Session)

TIME :  
8:00 am or 1:00 pm (two sessions per day)

PLACE :  
The Harris County Sheriff’s Academy, 2316 Atascocita Road, Humble Texas 77396 (Gym)

UNIFORM :
Professional/tasteful active wear (please, no see-thru/mesh garments)

NOTE : 
A demonstration of the BPOC weapon manipulation and radio gateways will be given.

**Ensure you hydrate and bring water with you**

There is no need to sign up, simply show up!

The POC for this event, is Sergeant C. Williams @ (281) 436-4923 or charlotte.williams@sheriff.hctx.net.
No-Shave November Fundraising
Last year, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office participated in various “No-Shave” fundraising events, raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research and abused children. After seeing everyone lean in and embrace the “no-shave” spirit, we launched a survey seeking your feedback on whether we should change our policy. Over 3,000 of you participated in the survey and made it clear you were ready for a change. Sheriff Gonzalez ultimately relaxed Department Policy #240, which permitted Sheriff’s Office employees to grow facial hair that met professional standards.

This month we are highlighting No-Shave November again, encouraging those who want to grow their mustache or beard for the month of November to make a donation of $25. We are also encouraging that, along with a donation, the women of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office wear the hair or nail color of their choosing. All money raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society. 

All donations should be given to your unit Captain.

Everyone in our HCSO family knows someone who is personally affected by cancer. Let’s show that spirit from our successful campaign last year again and reach even higher totals this year!
Downtown Shop Hours
The Downtown shop hours will be 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday thru Friday. The shop will be set up to work on immediate repairs such as lights, batteries, and flat tires. The 2nd shift will perform PM services.

The service is to assist anyone needing service or repairs after their assigned vehicle repair facility’s normal hours. Continue to have major repairs that need to be towed, taken to the vehicles assigned repair facility.
Miss last week's newsletter?
To All Veterans

"Harris County nurses Maria Acosta and Dariel Newman showed Jones how to use the nasal spray in three quick steps. It can't hurt someone, said Newman, who's the head nurse of quality control at the Harris County jail. It can only help."

Read more
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