A security program is being re-implemented in our neighborhood.  The Crestwood Civic Club is proposing a contract with the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office Contract Deputy Program. 
The patrol program’s main objectives are crime prevention and providing immediate police services to citizens in need.  The Constables on patrol are uniformed and armed Harris County Deputies, who will be driving distinctively marked law enforcement vehicles.  The Constables have the authority to arrest law breakers, ticket speeders, cite owners of unleashed animals as well as other duties allowed uniformed peace officers. 

The patrol program will work like this: all property owners in the five Crestwood Glen Cove subdivisions are asked to voluntarily pay $500 each year.  Paying participants will be eligible for enhanced services, such as vacation watches, home security surveys, and direct access to the Precinct 1 dispatcher.

By patrolling the neighborhood, the Deputy will become familiar with the neighborhood, and he/she will be able to readily spot out of the ordinary situations, including suspicious persons or vehicles.  Having a Deputy in the neighborhood forty hours each week will both increase law enforcement familiarity with the neighborhood and will  reduce response time to calls for service.   When the Deputy is not on duty, subscribing participants can call the Precinct 1 dispatcher who will dispatch the nearest available Deputy.  In an emergency, you are urged to call both 911 and the dispatcher.

Invoices have already gone out.  If you would like to participate, please send your check for $500 to Crestwood Security Fund, c/o Andrea Russo, 200 E. Cowan, Houston, Texas, 77007. Make sure to include your name and property address, along with a way we can contact you if necessary.  Please call 713-818-0515 or send an e-mail to security@crestwoodglencove.org with any questions.

We all want our neighborhood to continue to be a safe place to live.  Please do what you can to support our efforts to bring the Constables back to Crestwood Glen Cove.  Thank you!

Q. What is the Patrol Program?

A.  The Crestwood Civic Club is proposing the neighborhood enter into a contract for security with Harris County Constable Precinct 1.  This is not just a security service; we will be entering into a contract with Harris County Precinct One, Constable’s Patrol Division.  The contract is for a uniformed and armed Deputy Constable, who is driving a distinctively marked emergency equipped law enforcement vehicle, to patrol our neighborhood.  Basically the “beat” is the Crestwood/Glen Cove neighborhood.  These are certified Police officers, licensed by the state to enforce the laws of the State of Texas, who will be assigned to our neighborhood.    

Q. What are the hours of patrol?

The hours of patrol will be as random as possible, with definite coverage on weekends.  I do not want the schedule to be predictable!  Also, it depends on how many people pay.  If everyone in the neighborhood participates we could have 24 hour coverage.  As soon as 120 households sign up we can begin our first contract, which will give us 40 hours each week.

Q. What will the Constable do while on duty? 

The Deputy Constable will patrol the neighborhood in a highly visible marked police vehicle and deter crime in our neighborhood by having a law enforcement officer on our streets for as many hours as possible.  The Deputy will also perform many other valuable services, such as traffic control and/or traffic enforcement, property recovery, citizen’s assistance, missing persons searches, emergency first aid… He/she will become very familiar with our neighborhood, which not only minimizes response time, but also allows him/her to be alert to “out of the ordinary” situations. The Deputy will provide activity reports on a daily basis to the security chairperson, and meet with them on a regular basis to exchange information.  This information will be reported to you in the neighborhood newsletter and at the All-Neighborhood Meetings.

Q. What are the Benefits to Me? 

In addition to the crime deterrence mentioned above, other benefits include:  Vacation Watch – when you go out of town fill out a form a week in advance and your property will receive special attention from the Deputy Constable during his hours of patrol. Minimal response time – when our constable is on duty he/she will be able to respond within minutes, and a direct phone number to the dispatcher will be available for paying subscribers when he/she is off duty. If you have an emergency you are urged to call both 911 and our dispatcher.  Since we will be “in contract,” the dispatcher will send the nearest available Deputy ASAP.  Home Security Surveys – help make sure your home is secure. When a home passes a home security survey, the homeowner is eligible to receive a reduction in homeowner’s insurance rates. Paying participants will receive the direct number to the Dispatcher so even when the deputy is not on duty our supporters can still call the Precinct One dispatcher, who will dispatch the nearest available deputy. 

Q. When will the Constable Begin Patrolling Our Neighborhood?

The start date depends on how long it takes to collect the funds.  Once at least 120 households have paid, we can enter into a contract with Harris County.  They take our contract to the Commissioner’s Court for consideration, a process which takes an additional 4 – 6 weeks.  After approval, we have the Constable on our streets.  The sooner everyone sends their contribution, the sooner we can get started.

Q. How do I sign up?

Invoices have already gone out to everyone in the neighborhood.  If you have not received an invoice and would like to participate, please make your check, in the amount of $500.00* payable to Crestwood/Glencove Security fund. Send your payment to Crestwood/ Glencove Security, c/o Andrea Russo, 200 E. Cowan, Houston, Texas, 77007.  Be sure to include your name, property address and a way we can reach you if necessary.

Q  Why should I participate if others in the neighborhood refuse?

Please remember there are benefits to this program ONLY available to those of us who participate. You receive the dispatcher’s phone number and special services if you pay into the fund. You will also be eligible for vacation watch, special services, and the home security survey (which can reduce the cost of home owners insurance) if you participate. Our streets will be safer because these officers will be enforcing traffic laws. The people who don't participate will only see the Constable drive down their street. They will not receive the same service as those of us who are participating. Our focus remains on those who are willing to help.

We hope everyone makes a decision to support our community based on what makes sense to them and their property, and not worry about who will or will not help. Everyone who participates will be treated as supporters, and those who refuse will not receive special attention.  You will receive a security sign for your yard, and a decal for your vehicle so that the constable will be able to easily identify his supporters.

 

 Q. What if we don’t get enough participants? What happens to the money?

We are getting a great response for this security plan. I anticipate that we will collect enough money to enter into a contract for at least one Constable. However, if we do not collect enough money, your funds will be returned. Excess funds will be used for increased patrol hours or towards next year’s fund requirements.

Q. There are some people in our neighborhood who cannot pay the amount in full, how do they participate?

There are some homeowners who have lived in our neighborhood for many years, who may not be able to pay the entire amount at once.  In most cases they are living on a fixed retirement income and need a payment plan, or may even need a reduced rate along with a payment plan. Please contact Andrea Russo if you would like to participate, but just can’t afford the full $500.00.  If you are able and interested in giving a little extra, please contact me to inquire about “adopting a neighbor.”  

*you may be eligible for a payment plan or reduced rate. Contact Andrea Russo for more information.

 If you have any more questions, please contact the security chairperson Andrea Russo at 713-818-0515 or send an e-mail to security@crestwoodglencove.org.  Thank you!