Government
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
The sheri ’s o ce has 580 sworn peace o cers, with over 1,000 in sta total.
COURTESY WESLEY DOOLITTLE
COURTESY MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Montgomery County Sheri Wesley Doolittle eyes e ciencies Montgomery County Sheri Wesley Doolittle took o ce on Jan. 1, and on March 4 he shared information with Community Impact regarding the state of the sheri ’s o ce as well as what new initiatives and trends he is focused on over the next four years. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. What structural changes do you plan to make in the Sheri ’s O ce? In my rst 61 days as sheri , my team and I have been working hard to make sure this o ce runs as e ciently as possible. We’ve taken a close look at policies, personnel and operations to ensure we’re set up to serve our growing community e ectively. We’ve made some changes to how teams are managed, responsibilities are structured and [how] day-to-day operations are handled. These adjustments put our deputies and sta in the best position to do their jobs and keep our community safe. Are there any crime trends you intend to focus on over the next four years? One of my rst priorities as sheri has been xing
the issue of missed 911 calls in our dispatch center. Through personnel retention e orts and some minor procedural changes, I am proud to share that last month we missed zero 911 calls. When our community calls and needs us, we must answer— we must be there. Ensuring immediate emergency response is a critical foundation of public safety. Violent crime linked to criminal activity crossing our southern borders is a serious concern, and we will work closely with our law enforcement part- ners to address this threat head on. Additionally, we will focus on quality-of-life crimes that a ect our residents daily such as drug-related o enses, vandalism and public disturbances. What do you feel is the lifespan of the county’s jail facilities? Do you have any plans to upgrade the county jail? The Montgomery County Jail plays a crucial role in keeping our community safe by making sure those who break the law are held accountable. As sheri , it’s my responsibility to maintain the jail and uphold the peace. With our county growing so fast, that job has become more challenging. Montgom- ery County is thriving because of our conservative values, strong families and commitment to law and order. But with that growth comes the need to make sure our law enforcement and jail facilities keep up. [In late February] we went to Austin to request a 64-bed variance from the Texas Jail Commission to stay in compliance with state regulations. The com- mission unanimously approved it, recognizing the urgent need for more space. Once this expansion is
Jail growth
Opened with 450 beds Added 192 beds Added 404 beds Added 96 beds for a total of 1,142 +153.78%
1987
2005 1991 2012
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMMUNITY IMPACT
complete, our jail will have a total capacity of 1,317 inmates. But even with these additions, we’re still behind where we need to be. What other functions of the sheri ’s o ce do you want to bring awareness to? One of the biggest concerns I hear from folks is tra c safety. ... A specialized tra c unit will ensure we do that while also working to prevent future accidents through enforcement and education. Montgomery County has deep farming and ranching roots, and we take pride in our way of life. More mounted deputies ... would be a huge asset for crowd control at large events, parades, and festivals.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com.
11
CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook