Parks Section

Mission Statement

The Parks Division of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Support Services Bureau is dedicated to providing quality law enforcement services for the growing number of citizens that visit Harris County Precinct One and Precinct Two parks.

The physical presence of Harris County Sheriff’s deputies in the parks will facilitate the following objectives:

• Deter crime by a uniformed physical presence by motor vehicle, ATVs, bicycle, watercraft, foot and horseback patrols.
• Provide for orderly crowd and efficient traffic control.
• Summon and direct the administration of first aid and medical assistance for the timely treatment of sick or injured persons.
• Promote the adherence of park regulations.
• Remove intoxicated persons from park property.
• Halt disorderly conduct along with lewd and lascivious behavior.
• Remove drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs form park roadways.
• Detect and report hazard, unsafe condition or irregularities on park property to the appropriate authority.
• Ensure that the security within Harris County Precinct One and Precinct Two park grounds and designated community facilities be maintained daily, both operational and administratively, for the safeguard of our citizens and property and for the public in general.

We want you and your family to know that your safety and security are at the top of our list during your visit to the various parks located within Harris County Precinct 1 and Harris County Precinct 2.

Sheriff's Deputies are assigned the task of patrolling the parks on a full time basis. The Park Patrol Division Deputies are assigned to various shifts so coverage remains consistent. Deputies patrol all of the park grounds, golf courses, hiking, jogging, biking trails, and all other facilities. Again, our goal is to make sure the Parks and Recreations facilities remain safe and enjoyable for all to use.

• Always lock your car doors and trunk.
• Ensure your windows and sun roof are closed.
• Set your alarm or immobilizer.
• Use security devices such as a steering wheel lock if you have them.
• Hide any valuables or take them with you. However, if you are going to lock valuables in the trunk, don't do it where you park the car as someone could be watching you.
• When possible, always park in busy, well-lit areas
• Never leave your registration, insurance or ownership papers in the glove box
• Carry your keys ready to unlock the doors when returning to your vehicle and, once inside, lock the doors.
• And REMEMBER! ALWAYS BUCKLE UP!

When using the Parks please follow all Laws and posted signs. If you observe any suspicious activities, vandalism, or a safety hazard in our Parks, please let use know by contacting a Deputy or Park attendant.

Follows these tips to make your park experience safer and more enjoyable.

• Exercise in pairs or with a leashed dog when jogging or walking in the parks.
• Tell a reliable person the route you plan to take and when you expect to be back.
• Vary your exercise times and routes. Individuals who commit crimes such as assault, indecent exposure, rape, robbery, and theft, frequently try to predict a potential victim's schedule.
• Runners and walkers should exercise in well-populated areas during daylight hours. Carry personal identification and an effective sound-making device.
• Know where emergency phones are located and that 9-1-1 can be dialed, without a coin, from any working payphone.
• Avoid using headphones because they mask important danger signs, such as a person approaching from behind.
• Trust your instincts. If you believe you are being followed, don't hesitate to request help from other citizens.

• If you see a crime in progress.
• If you are a victim of any in-progress or violent crime.
• If you or anyone else requires immediate police, fire or medical assistance
  

• Call 9-1-1 to help a victim and/or assist in the identification of a suspect of if you, or anyone else requires immediate police, fire or medical assistance.
• Take time, when safely possible, to obtain information regarding any suspect. Whenever possible, obtain a car license plate number and a physical description of both the suspect and the car.
• If you have information about a crime that does require immediate police response, call Harris County Sheriff's Department at 713-221-6000.

Follow these tips to help prevent bicycle theft.

• Lock your unattended bike, even if it will be unattended just for a minute.
• Use a high quality hardened steel U-shaped lock. Avoid locks that can easily be cut, picked, or broken.
• Never allow a stranger to ride a bike even if the person promises to just go a short distance. Often bike thieves lie, saying they just want to try the bike out by riding a short distance. However, once they start riding they never return.
• Spend $10 to license your bike for three years, which may help you reclaim your bike if it gets stolen. Most Deputy Registrars that sell car licenses and issue driver licenses will also license bikes. The Minneapolis Park Police Department also licenses bikes. Call 612-370-4777 to arrange a convenient time to obtain a license.
• Record the bike's serial number and keep it in a safe place, with the sales receipt and a photograph of the bike.

Follow these suggestions to help the Harris County Sheriff's Department prevent or respond to the theft of a bicycle or other personal property.

• Be observant of individuals loitering near parked bikes or cars. The loitering persons may be planning to steal a bike or something from an unattended car. Sometimes thieves use a tool to cut or break a bike lock or to enter a locked car
• Notice a suspicious person's race, age, size, hair color, facial features and clothing. Memorize as much as you can about the suspect, beginning with the person's head and working down toward the person's feet. Obtain names, if possible, of the suspect and companions.
• Call the police at 911 when suspicious persons are present near bikes or when any crime might occur.
• Share these crime prevention tips with your family and friends.

Why is important to stop vandalism?
If you think vandalism isn't your problem, think again. Here are a few reasons why vandalism hurts everyone.

Vandalism destroys what your tax dollars have created.
Each year vandals destroy thousands of dollars' worth of park facilities and equipment funded by tax dollars. A few minutes of destructive "fun" can add up to huge losses for our County's parks.

Vandalism takes dollars away from recreational programs and facilities.
It costs money to repair or replace whatever a vandal's actions have destroyed. For example, the cost of removing writing from a cement or brick wall can easily reach $1000 for sandblasting costs. Replacing a destroyed bench involves high labor repair costs. Even damaged boulevard trees are costly to replace at a value at $1000 or more.

Vandalism is not cool.
Damaging public property through vandalism is both cowardly and uncool. Individuals who tag or use spray paint for artistic expression on public property are breaking the law and are no "cooler" than the person who breaks a window or basketball hoop on purpose.

• Finally, if you want to remain anonymous and report information regarding a crime you may want to call 713-222-TIPS.

Did you know...

...that bike riders are required to obey all traffic laws that drivers of cars are expected to obey? This includes stopping at stop signs and red lights, riding on the correct side of the road and yielding the right of way at uncontrolled intersections.

...that a bike helmet can decrease the severity of a bike accident head injury and maybe even save your life?

...that the Harris County Sheriff's Department puts on bike safety training programs and bike rodeos for youth? Call the Harris County Sheriff's Department Storefront in your area to make arrangement for a child to participate.

Watch the weather

If ominous weather, darkness, or some type of hazardous condition arises and appears threatening, don't be foolish and ride that extra loop, jog that last mile, play that last hole of golf, or last Tennis match. Be content with what you've conquered and seek safety. There's always tomorrow.

Harris County Parks are places for all of us to visit and enjoy. Please be sure to make park safety a priority-both for your family and for the future of our parks.