February 23, 2005

Houston Police Department

Houston Police Chief Harold L. Hurtt, in conjunction with the chiefs of police of Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth and San Antonio, has taken official positions concerning legislative initiatives.  

Initiatives supported by the chiefs include, regional DNA crime labs, a reduction in the number of free false burglar alarms from five to two, increasing the penalty for burglary of a motor vehicle to a state jail felony, countywide traffic jurisdiction for municipal police officers, prohibiting concealed weapons permit holders from carrying firearms in police stations and modification of the collections of racial profiling data to enhance the benefits that racial profiling data provides to the community. 

"These initiatives are critical to the unique needs of law enforcement in large urban areas," Hurtt said.  "It is believed that both the public and police agencies will benefit from the proposed changes."

The coalition opposes two proposed legislative initiatives, including bills to prevent cities from using photographic red light enforcement and pawn shop legislation, which limits the law enforcement officers' ability to access electronically submitted pawn ticket information.

Hurtt said that he feels strongly about addressing the above issues "in order to continue to provide citizens with the very best public safety possible".

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