Should I call the Constable or 911?

It is recommended that all crimes in progress be handled through 911.  Our Constable deputies monitor HPD communications, and using 911 increases the likelihood of rapid response by bringing HPD into the loop.  After calling 911, you may also consider calling Precinct One Dispatch.  Several surrounding neighborhoods also have Constable Patrols, and nearby deputies regularly respond to calls in adjoining neighborhoods.

Why should I report minor crimes such as theft?

Please report all criminal activity to HPD.  Area law enforcement, and particularly HPD allocate resources depending on need.  Crime report data are used heavily in this regard, and are also useful in identifying trends.

How do I report crime?

Thefts and criminal mischief with damage of less than $5000 may be reported through the HPD website at http://www.houstontx.gov/police/online_police_report.  If the crime involves a vehicle or information that can be used to solve the crime exists, you must call 713-884-3131 to report it.  Examples of information that requires a crime to be called in include:  signs of forced entry, fingerprints or other evidence left at the scene that could be processed by police, information such as surveillance photos with pictures of the suspect or a license plate number is available).  Again, if the crime is in progress, please call 911.

Should I report suspicious activity?

Our deputies prefer that you err on the side of alerting Precinct One Dispatch if you see something that concerns you.  They can filter whether it is information to be acted on, and they want to know what is happening in the neighborhood.  Don’t hesitate to contact Precinct One Dispatch to report something.  

Questions or concerns about the Constable Patrol Program or neighborhood security in general?

Please contact the VP of Security on our Contact page.

How is the program administered by WHCA?  

The Program was started in 2011 by David Jordan.  Initially, we had a single 40-hour patrol.  Casey Ballard took over from David and in her three years at the helm, grew the Program to two 40-hour patrols.  We are barely at the sustenance level for two patrols, but there is always hope that we can continue to expand the Program through increased membership.

The WHCA VP Security, in conjunction with the WHCA Board, administers the Program, including direct communications with Harris County Precinct One Administration and our patrol deputies.

How many households currently participate in it?

We have to commit in advance to patrol contracts, so we are limited in what we can do to experiment with pricing under the theory that lower pricing would increase participation.  The surest way to maintain or increase patrol coverage or lower prices is to increase participation – so please encourage your neighbors to join.  Of approximately 2000 households in Woodland Heights, we currently have only about 400 Constable Patrol Subscribers.

When do we renew constable memberships? 

As of November 2019, memberships are not tied to a specific period. They run for a full year from the date you signed-up. We offer a convenient auto-renewing membership that will ensure you stay in the program without giving it a further thought. Those who prefer can still sign up for a year without auto-renewal.

Why can’t we take payments in installments?

We do not have the manpower to administer periodic (e.g., monthly) payments, and they are problematic in any event because we have to know we are financially able to honor the contracts we sign.  We operate on a bare bones budget and presently don’t have any room to stretch out payments.