Program allows officers to issue tickets for low-level offenses instead of making arrests

HOUSTON –  Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 29, Houston Police officers will be able to issue citations instead of arresting individuals for certain Class A and Class B misdemeanors. Mayor Sylvester Turner signed Executive Order No. 1-68 Monday afternoon, authorizing the City of Houston to join Harris County’s Cite and Release Program. 

The Cite and Release policy is expected to help reduce the jail population for non-violent offenders, reduce the amount of time police officers spend on jail processing procedures, and improve response times by getting officers back into service more quickly.

The following Class A and B misdemeanors are eligible for tickets instead of jail time:

1.  Possession of a controlled substance, if the controlled substance is four ounces or less
2. Criminal Mischief, if the amount of pecuniary loss is $100 or more but less than $750
3. Graffiti, if the amount of pecuniary loss is $100 or more but less than $2500
4. Theft, if the value of the property stolen is $100 or more but less than $750
5. Theft of Service, if the value of the service stolen is $100 or more but less than $750
6. Contraband in a Correctional Facility, if the offense is a Class B misdemeanor
7. Driving with an invalid license

“Cite and Release is a more humane way to handle low-level offenders because the program allows them to face responsibility for their actions without the stain of an arrest or serving jail time,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “It is the equivalent of being given a second chance on the spot, as long as the suspected offender meets the requirements for Cite and Release and complies with the rules.”

The Houston Police Department’s Class C Policy is currently being revised in consideration of the new Cite and Release policy.

“This is not a matter of getting soft on crime. It’s about getting smart on crime,” Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said. “The Cite and Release program is a long time coming and long overdue. It is something we are very proud to implement.”

Mayor Turner acknowledged Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin, Chair of the Council Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, who could not attend Monday’s news conference because of the Jewish Holiday Yom Kippur. The mayor also thanked the five City Council Members who sent him a list of recommendations on policing reforms, including Cite and Release.

“This is a great day in the City of Houston. On behalf of my city council colleagues, activists, and organizations that have worked on policing reforms, we are moving in the right direction. We all agree that Cite and Release is a policy that we can live with and something Houstonians deserve. This is a great step forward for policing reforms and the City,” said Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex Tatum. 

Judson Robinson, CEO and President of the Houston Area Urban League also spoke in favor of Cite and Release.Mayor Turner also said the objective of implementing Cite and Release is to achieve a measurable change in how Houston Police offers are handling low-level offenses. Therefore, the Executive Order also clarifies that the Houston Police Department will track and report the data on citations issued under this program.

METRO has received confirmation a utility worker and a bus operator have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to 194 METRO employees and 53 contractors since March 2020. 

Eighty-six of the employees had no contact with the public. METRO tracks and reports all positive cases among its 4200 employees and the various contractors who provide services to METRO. We are also conducting temperature checks of employees and others before they begin their workday at METRO facilities or on our vehicles. 

The bus operator last worked Sept. 17 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes:

*The chart above reflects the days the operator was on duty two weeks prior to their last day on the job

The utility worker’s last day on the job was Sept.15 and that employee did not have contact with the public.

Anyone who comes in contact with an individual who tests positive should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.

METRO is working with public health officials so they can identify and notify anyone who traveled the routes driven by the bus operator during those time frames as well as anyone else who may have been impacted by the latest positive cases.

Since mid-March, METRO has sought to minimize the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission by operators or passengers by encouraging social distancing. On March 23, the agency temporarily suspended collecting fares to avoid unnecessary contacts.  Shortly thereafter, orange mesh fencing was installed across the aisles of every local bus to assure appropriate distancing between operators and passengers.

More safety upgrades are also being added to ​buses, trains and METROLift vehicles. Operators and riders will now have access to hand sanitizer while on board and protective shields around drivers’ seats will provide another layer of separation between operators and the public. Operators and riders are required to wear a face covering while on the system.

We appreciate and greatly value our riders. We have taken many actions, including working with the community at large, to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. To prevent or minimize its transmission on the transit system, METRO asks all riders to use the system only for essential trips at this time,  practice social distancing when you do ride transit (i.e., stand or sit at least 6 feet apart, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, wash your hands for 20 seconds before boarding transit and after deboarding, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay home if you are sick). Additionally, riders should stand or sit no closer than six feet behind the driver. 

METRO’s number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our customers, community and employees.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT lanes, Community Connector microtransit and Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service.  Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the region.  Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the  METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone. 

By 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, METRO will temporarily suspend operations of  transit services due to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Beta. Preparations to suspend service, will begin sooner. Some rail services will make their final departures at 7 p.m. and METRO HOV/HOT lanes will not reopen Tuesday afternoon.

METRO will work with customers to help them reach their final destinations. Those who are impacted by the suspension of service can contact METRO Customer Service at 713-635-4000 until 10 p.m. for assistance. 

These proactive measures are being taken to protect the health and safety of the Authority’s customers and employees and are in full support and cooperation with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s requests that residents stay off the roads while the storm moves through the region. 

Service Notes:

• All local bus trips that begin before 7 p.m. Tuesday will complete their routes. 
• METRO Park & Ride buses will complete their scheduled trips Tuesday evening.
• METRORail Red Line northbound will make final departure from Fannin South Station at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
• METRORail Red Line southbound will make final departure from Northline/ HCC Station at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
• METRORail Purple Line westbound will make final departure from Palm Center Station  at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
• METRORail Purple Line eastbound will make final departure from Theater District Station  at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
• METRORail Green Line westbound will make final departure from Magnolia Park Station at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
• METRORail Green Line eastbound will make final departure from Theater District Station at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

METRO’s services will resume only when it is safe to do so, and this may be a gradual return based on weather conditions.

Additional service notes:

• METRO HOV/HOT lanes and METRO Ride Store will reopen when normal services resume. 

• METROLift riders with trips scheduled after 8 p.m. tonight are asked to contact the METROLift Dispatch Center as soon as possible to make arrangements to be picked up sooner.  
  
• METROLift trips scheduled for Wednesday will be limited due to weather and customers should contact METROLift Dispatch Center to make arrangements. 

Riders are asked to monitor METRO’s Twitter and Facebook pages for timely information regarding transit service. METRO also offers real-time information through its service alerts system.

Please note the following:

• METRO advises riders to monitor local media and the National Weather Service for weather updates.
• Current roadway conditions are available on TranStar’s Real-Time Traffic Map.
• These entities are sharing resources with METRO to serve the area: Harris County, the city of Houston and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Their websites provide information about safety, weather, traffic and more during emergencies.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT lanes, Community Connector microtransit and Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service.  Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the region.  Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the  METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.