Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee met May 3

Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee met May 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Brays Oaks Management District Public Safety Committee held a meeting via Zoom video conference on May 03, 2023, at 11:30 am.

District Board and Committee members present: Starla Turnbo, Ralph Rieger, Cindy Chapman, Sheri Cortez, Marsha Fisk, Steve Moore

Staff members present: Xavier Herrera, Josh Hawes, Cosme Garcia

Public safety present: Commander Hassig, Lt. Kirby Fehr – HPD, Officer F. Meza Jr. – HPD, Sgt. Cedric Nickerson – HPD, Mike Laster – HCAO

Public present: Stephen Polnaszek – Neighborhoods to Trails, Marcy Williams, Sylvester Reeder III – Houston One Voice, Brenda Jackson, Barbara Richards, Tina DeFiore – HAA, Doug Phillips, Carolyn Riley – Rep. Gene Wu 137, Aimee Turney – Rep. Gene Wu 137, Tom Hayden, Angelee Rhyne, Moshe Klein

Committee Chair Starla Turnbo called the meeting to order at 11:31 AM, and the committee meeting adjourned at 12:40 PM.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comment

a. Mr. Phillips made public comment regarding the need to promote positive HPD interactions and proposed BOMD create a budget line item for multimedia efforts. Director Moore advised the committee that he does a lot on his own to help promote a positive image of HPD. 

3. Minutes of 04/05/23 Public Safety Committee Meeting

a. Committee meeting minutes provided for reference.

4. Report from HPD (S. Gessner & Southwest) for the month of April.

a. Southwest

i. Commander Hassig reported District 15 crime stats. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.

ii. Director Turnbo inquired if crimes were happening at certain types of businesses. Commander Hassig advised that rise in thefts are happening at Walgreens and CVS – multiple arrests are made but the people arrested keep returning to commit the same crime. Commander Hassig advised that some crimes may be attributed to the same suspects. Director Cortez requested Commander Hassig contact her regarding the crime stats.

b. S. Gessner

i. Lt. Fehr reported District 17 crime stats. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.

c. Bike & DRT

i. Officer Meza gave a report on DRT activities. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.

ii. Director Cortez advised the committee that she is asking for commendation letters be written for Officer Thibeaux and the officer riding with him, along with Sgt. Nickerson regarding their actions near Welch Middle School. Additionally, she expressed thanks for working on the issue near Ruffino Hills.

iii. Director Fisk also expressed her gratitude toward HPD.

iv. Ms. Ryan advised she’s concerned with the number of students hanging out in from of Jack in The Box. Additionally, she reported individuals are still drinking at the gas station near Beltway 8 and Winthorp.

v. Sgt. Nickerson advised Officer Thibeaux has been asked to patrol near the school and to assist HISD with the crowd near the school. HISD police at the campus will not deal with issues outside of the campus. Sgt. Nickerson is trying to work with the school regarding the issue. Additionally, Sgt. Nickerson will investigate the issue at the gas station near Winthorp. Also, the property where dumping was happening near Ruffino now has cameras installed by the property owner.

vi. Director Cortez advised that Sgt. Nickerson should reach out to Pete Lopez with HISD and thanked Sgt. Nickerson for his work at Ruffino.

vii. Ms. Rhyne advised the committee that a film on the Bissonnet will be premiered in May and will forward details to Mr. Herrera.

5. Receive report on HPD Overtime Program

a. Lt. Fehr provided a report on the crime initiative overtime program. A detailed report is available in the committee packet.

b. Director Fisk asked how HPD is given direction and if they spend time in apartment complexes. Lt. Fehr advised that arrests in the cases he presented were conducted by the Crime Suppression Unit which has their own Sgt. and he was unaware of their day to day activities. Director Fisk requested a report on HPD’s activities in apartment complexes. Committee Chair Turnbo advised Director Fisk to reach out to her directly if she has concerns regarding specific apartment complexes. Ms. DeFiore advised the committee to reach out to her with issues, she can reach out to property owners / managers.

c. Mr. Phillips advised that it would be good to share this report with the general public to highlight the positive impact of HPD.

6. Receive report from Harris County Attorney’s Office

a. Mr. Laster reported that HCAO had a positive advisory meeting with the property owner of the convenience store at 6275 W. Airport (24/7 Shell Gas Station) to help the owner avoid a Chapter 125 case. Additionally, HCAO conducted their Chapter 125 training April 26th at the East Aldine Management District campus. HCAO is working another convenience store file and are updating their calls for service to that location, will provide an update on the case next month. Two game room locations have been identified in BOMD and HCAO is awaiting further information from HPD. HCAO is also waiting for HPD to update their office regarding possible 125 cases for one apartment complex and two additional convenience stores. Committee Chair Turnbo advised that BOMD needs to focus on game room activity. Mr. Laster agreed and advised that game rooms can often be fronts for other illicit activities.

7. Update from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office

i. Ms. Cortez advised that HCDA is participating in mental health awareness month by bringing attention to the Crises Text Line. Text HELP to 741741 to reach a crises counselor. Gun safe rollout is working and City of Houston is reporting a decrease in stolen guns from vehicles. Additionally, Academy is reporting a 26% increase in gun safe sales. HCDA is still encouraging gun owners to secure their weapons away from unattended vehicles at night. An additional resource for mental health crises is the suicide crisis line at 1-800-273-8255 or text 988.

ii. Ms. Turney thanked HCDA for focusing on Mental Health month and expressed her gratitude for the gun safe program.

iii. Mr. Phillips reiterated his support for PSA’s and pointed to the success of the gun safe program as an example of how effective they can be.

iv. Ms. Rhyne advised that she is seeking resources to help a City of Houston employee. Ms. Turney advised Executive Director Herrera to share her contact information with Ms. Rhyne.

8. Discussion & Recommendations

a. April Graffiti & Light Outage Report

i. Graffiti

1. Executive Director Herrera reported that 22 sites have been abated for the month of April.

ii. Light Outage Report

1. 37 streetlight outages were reported to CenterPoint for the month of April.

9. Receive RCR Report

a. Ms. DeFiore indicated there were no changes to RCR for the month of April. Additionally, The Heights at Post Oak has a new regional vice president, and they are aware of the issues. 24/7 security is now being provided for the property. The plan is to remediate the crime and to remodel the units.

b. Director Chapman commented on the ownership status and was glad to know that Committee Chair Turnbo thought the ownership change was positive. Committee Chair Turnbo advised she was familiar with the new ownership group and commented that they normally have a good plan for their properties.

10. Adjourn

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:

• The committee had no recommendations.

https://www.braysoaksmd.org/who-we-are/board-materials/