Labor shortages are impacting industries nationwide and law enforcement is no exception. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to stay fully staffed leading to resources being stretched thin.

To help address this critical need, Lone Star College recently welcomed its second cohort into the LSC Law Enforcement Academy, a program that prepares students for the state licensing examination and engage in hands-on training to learn the skills applicable to police work.

“The Lone Star College Law Enforcement Academy reinforces our commitment to public safety,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC Chancellor. “We are proud to offer this important program to our community, and we applaud the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to ensure our safety.”

The Law Enforcement Academy began in 2021 and 10 cadets graduated in December 2022. They now work at various agencies, such as Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, La Marque Police Department, Humble ISD Police Department, Montgomery County Pct. 3 Constable’s Office, Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office and Tomball Police Department. The next cohort began Feb. 6.

“Lone Star College was honored to prepare these cadets and we look forward to being the training hub for future law enforcement officers who will perform an invaluable service for our communities,” said Art Murillo, LSC Board Trustee Vice Chair.

The LSC Law Enforcement Academy offers day full-time and evening part-time options that can train the next group of police officers in less than a year. Courses are available at LSC-East Aldine Center and upon completion, graduates become certified Texas peace officers.

“This academy consists of academic, physical fitness and training taught by prior and current law enforcement professionals that will graduate top quality officers to serve and protect our community,” said Glenn Riddle, LSC Law Enforcement Academy Director. “Also, we added more hours in de-escalation procedures.”

The LSC Law Enforcement Academy meets Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements. Cadets learn how to maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, state or federal laws for various law enforcement agencies, including educational institutions.

“I was a vocational pastor for 16 years, and although my calling shifted, I still wanted to help others,” said Johnny Willard, a new Tomball Police Officer and former Law Enforcement Academy class president. “Law enforcement will allow me to continue making a difference in the community and, hopefully, change people’s negative view of police officers by treating everyone with care and respect.”

Visit LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study/Law-Enforcement-Academy to learn more.

Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For^® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education, ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work^® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas^™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.

A Houston man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for shooting an innocent shopper in the parking lot of a Kroger grocery store in the Jersey Village area, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Tuesday.

“The citizens of Harris County are tired of gun violence, especially a case like this in which an incident of domestic abuse led to an innocent shopper being shot six times,” Ogg said. “Innocent people should not have to worry about being shot while putting their groceries in their car.”

Kendrick Green, 37, was sentenced by a jury last week after being convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for shooting a 33-year-old man at the Kroger at 9125 W. Sam Houston Parkway about 11:50 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2021.

Green was driving a Lexus SUV with a woman he had been dating for about a month when they got into an argument. She wanted to be dropped off at her home, and he did not want to take her there. During the argument, he brandished a handgun, which frightened her. When they stopped at Kroger, she ran into the store and hid in the women’s restroom.

Witnesses saw Green shouting at the woman outside the grocery store, and then he started shouting at a man who was loading groceries into his red Mercedes sedan. When the Mercedes driver got into his car, Green got into his Lexus, circled the parking lot and pulled up next to the victim. For safety, the victim drove toward the front of the store. Green then pull up next to the car and both men rolled down their windows. Green began yelling at the victim and then opened fire.

Green fired eight shots into the door of the Mercedes, hitting the victim in his arms and torso at least five times and grazing his neck and chin.

Both men drove away, but after Green was gone, the victim returned the store to get help. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded and conducted the investigation. The victim survived and testified at trial.

Assistant District Attorney Winston Griner, who prosecuted the case with ADA Danielle Oxford, said the victim spent months in recovery and had several surgeries because of the incident.

“This was a senseless and egregious crime,” Griner said. “The defendant targeted a complete stranger, someone he never met, and then pursued him and almost killed him.”

Two-way buses will run in rotation while Houston’s METRO Rail Red Line remains under maintenance Monday, Feb. 13, according to an alert by the METRO Transit Authority. Maintenance on the rail line began on Sunday, Feb.12.

Every 10 minutes, the buses will transport passengers between Burnett Transit Center/Casa de Amigos and the Northline Transit Center/Houston Community College. The Red Line is one of three major lines in the city, with 25 stops.

According to METRO Transit Authority, the free shuttle service may require additional travel time for passengers.

For additional assistance or questions, passengers can call or text METRO’s Customer Service Center at 713-635-4000 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Passengers can also check METRO’s Facebook and Twitter for social media updates.

In addition to maintenance on the METRO Red Line, Feb.11 was the last meeting for customers to add their comments on the METRO Rapid Gulfton Corridor Project. The project would create a new line in Gulfton traveling to Westpark/Lower Uptown Transit Center and the Northwest Transit Center. More specifically, the bus-only lanes would run in places like Westpark Drive to Gulfton Street, Chimney Rock Road to Hillcroft Avenue, Gulfton Street to High Star Drive and High Star Drive to Bellaire Boulevard.

The project is currently in the development stage and, when completed, will include wider doorways for better accessibility and level boarding.

According to the METRO website, Gulfton is one of the most congested areas in the Houston metro and one in which public transportation is the first choice for residents.

Source: chron