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Newsletter #170 – Keep Your Community Safe During
Crime Prevention Month!
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Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: | |
Crime Prevention Month recognizes the role each of us plays in promoting safety awareness and neighborhood unity. It reminds us of our collective power to make an impact in our neighborhoods and on the lives of our neighbors. It also celebrates the feelings of connectivity fostered by community and neighborhood unity. | | |
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We know first-hand that crime prevention is most effective when residents, public safety agencies, businesses, houses of worship, and schools work together in partnership. Our patrol leaders and deputies must establish relationships with the neighbors that make up the community they serve and increase trust daily to inspire positive change. | |
One of the most important aspects of crime prevention is increasing our awareness of our surroundings. We are the experts when it comes to knowing our own neighborhood. | |
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Crime Prevention Tips for Residents
The National Crime Prevention Council and local law enforcement agencies join yearly to spread the word about personal safety and crime prevention resources.
One of the most important aspects of crime prevention is urging residents to stay engaged and to remain aware of their surroundings.
- Stay active in your community. Join your homeowner association or Neighborhood Watch Program.
- Be aware of the crimes being reported in your area.
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Sign up for Nextdoor, a social platform that lets you make online connections with your neighbors to exchange helpful information about your community. Follow our agency to become more aware of how we support and serve you daily.
- Keep your doors locked. Protect windows and sliding glass doors with good locks or other security measures.
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The Sheriff's Office offers an added sense of security when you go out of town through its Vacation Watch Program.
- Don't hide extra house keys under a doormat or other obvious spots.
- Park in well-lit, busy areas. Hide valuables in your car or remove them entirely from your car.
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See Something, Say Something
Public safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage residents to take precautions to reduce their vulnerability to certain crimes, including theft, fraud, and property crime. When it comes to knowing their block the best, they are the experts.
See something, say something. We need everyone to be involved and energized in their efforts to protect themselves, their family, and their property.
If residents are looking for more crime prevention tips and resources, have them contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office Community Engagement Division at 346-286-3125.
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Sheriff's Office pledges to continue working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims and survivors. We encourage anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence or knows someone who is to reach out to us, as we are here to help and support you through this difficult time.
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If you are in immediate danger, call or text 911.
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Victims Unit: 713-274-9369.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or if you're unable to speak safely, you can text 88788.
We stand together with domestic violence victims, survivors, and the many organizations in our region whose mission is to end domestic and sexual violence for all.
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The HCSO Victim Assistance Unit works collaboratively with our partners to help victims. HCSO is accepting donations for local non-profit organizations to assist domestic violence and sexual assault victims. The donation drive ends on October 27. You can drop off your donations at four drop-off locations. | |
Meet the latest add to our fleet, the Ford Mustang GT Mach-E. These fully electric vehicles w/480 HP & 0-60mph in 3.5 secs will beef up traffic enforcement duty. From horseback to this modern-day Pony, the HCSO is committed to being a 21st Century Leading Law Enforcement Agency. | |
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“The Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence organization launched its billboard campaign on Thursday ahead of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. The billboards were donated by Clear Channel Outdoor.
According to a news release, the campaign, featuring Houston Rockets Forward Tari Eason, will be seen across Harris and Fort Bend counties on six surface street billboards and 52 freeway billboards in English and Spanish.”
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“Law enforcement authorities across the Houston area want people to be extra aware whenever they visit an ATM. They said criminals are getting more organized, and even traveling farther, when it comes to identifying and tracking down their victims. "It's so easy to become a victim at any point in time," Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Cutis Jones said. | | | |
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“National Hispanic Month is about acknowledging the various Hispanic cultures within our communities,” said Sgt. Castro. “I honor my mother and the sacrifices she made growing up by implementing the work ethic, compassion and humility she taught me. I’m able to relate to Spanish-speaking members of my community by being able to communicate with them and showing kids that they can do it, too.” | | | |
2023 National Night Out: Despite the inclement weather, we enjoyed interacting with our residents and creating memories. Click here to view the photos. We look forward to next year's NNO! | |
Last week, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office hosted a promotion ceremony for 22 teammates. Congratulations, and we wish them all the best! Click here to view the photo gallery. | |
Thanks so much to everyone who joined the HCSO Coffee and Careers Event! For those of you looking for a new career opportunity, we are hiring! Call 713-877-5250 or visit HCSOJobs.com for more information. | |
As we come to the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff's Office are highlighting our agency's leaders. | |
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Join Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff's Office at the HCSO Open House and Hiring Expo on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the HCSO Academy, located at 2316 Atascocita Road, Humble, TX 77396.
Candidates can take advantage of this opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the HCSO Training Academy and the countless ways to grow your future career! We will have academy tours, on-site testing, Q&A sessions, testimonials, and more.
If you know someone looking for a new career opportunity, we are hiring detention officers, communication officers, deputy cadets, lateral deputies, and more. For more information, contact the HCSO Recruiting Unit at 713-877-5250 or visit HCSOJobs.com.
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Fundraiser for Deputy Anderson! | |
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Join us at the Fundraiser for Deputy Anderson! On Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. we will be selling delicious BBQ pulled pork plates at only $15! We will be at Will Clayton Substation, located at 7900 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble, Texas 77338.
All donations will be given to Deputy Anderson to help offset his medical expenses. This event is hosted by Thin Blue Line Northwest Chapter. If you would like to make a donation to Deputy Anderson please Zelle your donation to 713-248-4538. We hope to see y'all there!
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HCSO Trunk-or-Treat Events | |
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Join Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at our annual Trunk-or-Treat events. Bring the kids to get candy and have spooky fun!
HCSO Trunk-or-Treat October 20, 2023
HCSO District 3 Substation, located at 14350 Wallisville Rd, Houston, TX 77049. From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
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HCSO Trunk-or-Treat October 25, 2023
Julia C. Hester Community Center & HCSO Parks Unit, located at 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
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Have unused prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet? Join the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Visit two locations:
- 7900 Will Clayton Pkwy
- 23828 Tomball Pkwy
For more information, visit dea.gov/takebackday.
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Join the Harris County Sheriff's Office at a free Family Fall Fest on Saturday, November 4, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The fest will be at Windwood Presbyterian Church, 10555 Spring Cypress Rd, Houston, TX 77070. | |
To all retirees, we thank you for your years of service to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Congratulations on your retirement, and best of luck on the next chapter in your life. | |
The Bilingual Incentive is Back! | |
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The Harris County Sheriff's Office has revamped the Bilingual Testing Process for all of our Team members! Anyone wishing to earn the Bilingual Incentive is invited to come test in person at our South Loop Location on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
We have teamed up with Berlitz to provide two different types of tests:
- Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI)- It is a 20-25 minute online language exam to measure your speaking proficiency.
The following commonly used languages will be tested using this platform:
Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese
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Berlitz Test of Speaking Skills (Telephone Interview) –This is a 15-20 minute phone conversation with a Berlitz Tester. Any language not listed above, such as Yourba or Urdu, will have to utilize this testing process. Email CareerServices@hctx.net and we will coordinate a testing date with a Berlitz Tester. Testing must be conducted via phone at the South Loop Location.
A passing grade of Level B1 or higher will be eligible for Bilingual Pay of $69.23 bi-weekly. No exceptions.
Click the link below to apply for the Bilingual Incentive:
Bilingual Incentive | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)
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The October 16 - November 3 benefits open enrollment period is for the upcoming plan year starting January 1, 2024 running through December 31, 2024. Use this time to make sure you’re taking advantage of the many benefits available to you. You can make the following updates:
- Change your medical plan option
- Add or drop covered dependents
- Purchase or discontinue optional life insurance or optional long-term disability
- Enroll or disenroll in dependent care and/or health FSAs to make your 2024 contributions
If adding dependents to your health insurance, please upload documentation no later than October 31st.
Click here for the Frequently Asked Aetna Questions.
Please reach out to us with any questions:
Benefits & Wellness
Human Resources & Risk Management
713-274-5500
benefits@harriscountytx.gov
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HCSO Newsletter #169 - HCSO Stands Against Domestic Violence | Newsletter #169 - HCSO Stands Against Domestic Violence Visit the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homepage Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: The Harris County Sheriff's Office firmly stands with domes | | | | | | |
