Harris County law enforcement disappointed with proposed budget for more resources
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Despite the ongoing community-wide outcry to counter escalating violent crime, the Democratic majority on Harris County Commissioners Court refused to fund 82% of the additional resources requested by leaders of local law enforcement.
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Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey of Precinct 3 offered this objection.
"When we have 600 murders last year, our top three priorities should be crime, crime, and crime," said Ramsey.
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Citing analysis from the County budget office, Judge Lina Hidalgo claimed to give the Sheriff and Constables the massive infusion of manpower they requested would force the County to strip hundreds of positions from other crucial components of government, including housing, engineering, and public health.
"It just can't possibly be taken as a serious proposal," said Hidalgo.
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Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle contended the lion-share of those non-law enforcement positions are either currently vacant or were created during the substantial growth of county government since 2018 when Democrats took control.
"My simple proposal says the public has had to tighten their belt over the past three years while government has grown. Let's go back three years and then add what we need for law enforcement," said Cagle.
The Democratic majority of Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Commissioner Adrian Garcia declined, instead pushing through a conciliatory 4% raise for all sheriff's deputies and constables. The increased pay, without the requested manpower, drew a scathing reaction from the Harris County Deputies' Organization.
"Harris County has become a safe haven for robbers, rapists, and killers and under Lina Hidalgo's leadership she has sold out its citizenry and law enforcement by ignoring law enforcement's budget. It's an outright shame," said David Cuevas, HCDO President.