Houston Police Department

February 22, 2005 -- Houston Police Chief Harold L. Hurtt, in conjunction with the Chiefs of Police of Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth and San Antonio, has taken official positions concerning legislative initiatives. These initiatives are critical to the unique needs of law enforcement in large urban areas.

The six legislative issues Chief Hurtt supports are:

* Regional DNA Crime Labs
* A reduction in the number of free false burglar alarms from five to two
* Increasing the penalty for burglary of a motor vehicle to a state jail felony
* County wide traffic jurisdiction for municipal police officers
* Prohibiting concealed weapons permit holders from carrying firearms in police stations
* Modification of the collections of racial profiling data to enhance the benefits that racial profiling data provides to the community. It is believed that both the public and police agencies will benefit from the proposed changes.

The two legislative issues Chief Hurtt opposes are:

* Prevention of cities from using photographic red light enforcement (House Bill 259 and House Bill 665).
* Pawn shop legislation, House Bill 635, which limits the law enforcement officers ability to access electronically submitted pawn ticket information.

Chief Hurtt feels strongly about addressing the above issues in order to continue to provide citizens with the very best public safety possible.

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