HPD Introduces “Fall Violent Crime Initiative”

September 02, 2008 - Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt, Assistant Chief Norman Wong, South Patrol Command, and Assistant Chief John Trevino, North Patrol Command, held a news conference today to announce and promote the department’s Fall Violent Crime Initiative designed to reduce crime and make our city and its citizens safer. Although overall crime is down 7.2% though July of this year, the Houston Police Department is determined to do more. Ultimately, HPD’s goal is to reduce violent crime by 10%.

“When we speak of violent crimes, we are talking about murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault,” Chief Hurtt said. “Although murders and robberies are down, rapes have gone up 29.1% and aggravated assaults have trended upward at 11.5%. We intend to change this.”

Recent analysis has determined that six of the department’s 22 police districts represent a disproportionate share of violent crime in our city. More specifically, the six police districts accounted for 46% of all violent crime in Houston for 2007 and 47% of violent crimes committed January through July of this year. To address this issue, the Fall Violent Crime Initiative will target violent crimes in six police districts and work diligently to arrest the criminals who prey on our citizens. The six police districts, including the Patrol Station and captain responsible for each district, are:

North Division – 6 District – Captain C. Moore
Northeast Division – 7 District – Captain M.D. Brown
Southeast Division – 14 District – Captain L.A. Bender
Fondren Division – 17 District – Captain M.W. Martin
Midwest Division – 18 District – Captain D.J. Williams
Westside Division – 19 District – Captain R.W. Holland

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