Acevedo says cooperation is key to fighting Houston’s rise in violent crime

HOUSTON – Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said Wednesday that cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public is the key to fighting the city’s rising violent crime.

Less than a month from 2021, Houston homicide detectives are already investigating 30 cases as of Wednesday morning, according to Acevedo. He said this is an increase over the same period last year. He said it’s a problem that’s not exclusive to Houston.

“I was actually on the phone with the San Antonio police chief this morning,” Acevedo said. “I was on the phone with the Los Angeles police chief, a New York commissioner. It is a phenomenon that we are seeing all over the country and, frankly, we have a lot of work to do in society. “

Acevedo said the Houston Police Department is doing what it can with the resources it has, including approving overtime, redirecting specialized response teams and adding more detectives to the homicide division.

“We have to keep looking internally, to be able to squeeze all we can of what we call 5,300 police officers that hasn’t grown in 20 years,” Acevedo said. “We have to do our part, but in short, we all have to do our part. We need our community to work with us. We need them to remain vigilant and to actually report the crimes. ”

HPD chief executive Matt Slinkard said the goal is to add 20 homicide detectives and the city is in the middle of that goal. He said the division clearance rate for homicide cases is up to 62%.

Acevedo suggested that Texas Department of Public Safety soldiers patrolling Houston’s state highway system would help free HPD officers to concentrate on city streets and city crime.

“It would be very helpful, instead of rhetoric, for the state to patrol all the highways in the state of Texas,” Acevedo said. “It simply came to our notice then. Responding for the service, enforcing the transportation code, investigating accidents and I think if we did, we can alleviate many of our resources. “

The chief said he is also in talks with Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg about how their agencies can work together to fight violent crime. He said the more rigid and less good charges would go a long way in addressing the issue.

“We need to create an environment where criminals are afraid and not victims and witnesses,” Acevedo said.

Acevedo said more federal government funding will also help fight crime efforts in cities that are plagued by the coronavirus pandemic.

Below is a replay of the Acevedo press conference: