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HOUSTON, TX- A Harris County Sheriff’s Office crime reduction unit created just over two years ago is already making a major impact in Cypress Station, driving crime down by more than 30% and helping restore trust between deputies and residents.
Launched in July 2023, the Cypress Station Crime Reduction Unit is made up of nine deputies and one sergeant. The team was tasked with addressing decades of strained relationships and public safety concerns in the area.
“This community has lacked faith in us for decades,” said Captain Wilson. “We foster relationships and rely on the community to come to us when they need us.”
The deputies’ strategy goes beyond patrol. They are ingrained in the community. Partnering with businesses and local organizations, they are connecting neighbors with resources that go far beyond an arrest while also increasing visibility to deter crime.
That trust is paying off. Earlier this year, a hotel owner called an off-duty deputy with a tip that led to the arrest of a murder suspect. “That call never would have happened three years ago,” Wilson noted.
Sgt. Pierre Atkinson, who oversees the unit, says deputies are focused on stopping crime before it happens, but just as importantly, on being approachable and building real relationships in the community. “If I am a robber and I am thinking about targeting a business, I probably will not want to do it if there is a patrol car parked out front,” Atkinson explained.
The results show the approach is working:
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36% overall crime reduction
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48% drop in family violence crimes
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34% decrease in aggravated robberies
Residents say the difference is clear. “I feel safer,” said Amber Madden, a Cypress Station resident. “Any incidents that happen, deputies respond quickly. It feels safer, especially with kids.”
For the first time in years, community events like Trunk-or-Treat are back, a sign of renewed partnership between HCSO and Cypress Station families.
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