By Nick Natario, ABC13 Houston.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A joint law enforcement initiative across Harris County will aim to stop drunk drivers this New Year’s holiday.
The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office announced Tuesday that it will work with all Harris County constable offices, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Houston Police Department, the Tomball Police Department, the Humble Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Pct. 4 said it made more than 1,063 arrests this year for suspected impaired driving, adding that some individuals were rearrested for the same offense.
To streamline the arrests, Pct. 4 said the following resources would be available and allow officers to return to patrol deputies more quickly:
- On-site phlebotomists for blood draws
- Judge Lincoln Goodwin on site to review and sign blood search warrants
- Harris County District Attorney’s Office personnel on-site to accept charges
“Pct. 4 alone will be putting out about 150 deputies on the streets of north Harris County in the last two days of this year,” Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said during a press conference Tuesday.
The agency gave these safety reminders for people celebrating the new year:
- Designate a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol
- Use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft when needed
- If someone attempts to drive while impaired, intervene and take steps to prevent it
- Make responsible decisions that prioritize safety
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.