Public safety is, and will remain, the top priority for Precinct 4. As a mother of three young daughters, a former judge, and someone who has been a victim, Commissioner Briones believes in investing in all parts of the justice system. This year, Commissioner Briones:
CHAMPIONED 6 NEW CRIMINAL COURTS
Commissioner Briones worked with colleagues at the legislature to secure six additional criminal district courts and one additional probate court in Harris County, with the goal of improving the quality of justice by delivering a quicker, fairer court process.
EXPANDED HART INTO PRECINCT 4:
Commissioner Briones successfully advocated for the expansion of the Holistic Assistance Response Teams (HART) program into Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) District IV, located primarily in Precinct 4, and later District II, and primarily in Precinct 2. HART deploys trained clinicians and EMTs to respond to non-violent, mental health-related 911 calls, freeing up law enforcement to focus on violent crimes.
RAISED LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY
Commissioners have granted 7% raises over the past two years to all law enforcement officers; detention officers received a 12% raise in 2023 to improve the safety of all people within the Harris County jail.
DISTRIBUTED GUN SAFES AND LOCKS, COLLECTED HUNDREDS OF UNWANTED GUNS
Precinct 4 partnered with the HCSO and the city of Houston for the county’s fifth gun buyback event. Houston-area residents turned in over 550 guns and received gun safes and locks as part of a holistic approach to violence prevention.
INVESTED TO REDUCE 911 RESPONSE TIMES:
Commissioners approved $1.7 million in federal funding to enhance the HCSO TeleDeputy Unit, in which officers working overtime handle low-priority, non-urgent 911 calls remotely. With this additional support, patrol deputies can more rapidly respond to 911 calls involving urgent, critical matters, including calls related to violent crime and domestic violence.