Houston Police Department

December 26, 2005 -- In an effort to reduce criminal activity and the fear of crime in certain areas of the city experiencing problems, the Houston Police Department will be implementing the Neighborhood Enforcement Team Taskforce (N.E.T.T.).

The taskforce will focus on the following problems:
-- Disorder hot spot locations targeting disturbances and fights.
-- Property crime hot spot locations targeting burglaries and thefts.
-- Violent crime hot spot locations targeting assaults, robberies, gang activity and homicides.
-- Warrant sweeps targeting suspects wanted for misdemeanor or felony warrants.

Tactics to be used include, but are not limited to:
-- Increased foot patrols, bike patrol and auto patrols.
-- Increased intelligence gathering, as well as expanded undercover operations.
-- Expedited follow-up criminal investigations.

With this planned initiative, the Houston Police Department aims to decrease crime and reduce the fear citizens have of becoming victims of crime in the targeted areas. These areas will be selected based upon crime analysis information and other factors causing crime, and increased numbers of calls for service.

Any effort to reduce crime cannot be successful without active involvement from our citizens. The police department depends heavily on citizens serving as additional “eyes and ears” in the identification of crime and disorder problems in the community.

We want to remind citizens that if a police or fire emergency exists, they should immediately call 9-1-1. Non-emergency requests for service should be reported by calling 713-884-3131. Also, citizens are encouraged to anonymously report persons wanted for involvement in criminal activity to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

JGA/JFC 12-26-05

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.