[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6749674,"mediaKeyId","2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d","parentId",2097711,"title","Harris County marks Human Trafficking Awareness Day, approves gates along Bissonnet corridor to reduce recruitment of children","audioSeconds",4613,"startMs",1747000,"endMs",6360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d&start=1747&end=6360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d/thumbnail_1747000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6749674/Harris-County/Texas/Harris-County-marks-Human-Trafficking-Awareness-Day-approves-gates-along-Bissonnet-corridor-to-reduce-recruitment-of-children","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749674-fec0acf58353c08de525377996ea5db8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068870&Signature=epA7IA8RcqhrPxTHqUEGsOwIfEmNQl0AIJWUNhKoQ-fJ89-kzcmiTz59O2Qpl28thv8VXZXOEE3OQ27o2yAb-qWUMMvH~D0QEvnDJ~pYp7CCWRUWh-4Fs-JiKEbe8kO20o5YV8nbFqcriLSekz4p1kq6uT~9FLJa9QOemECNSMPvcXIKe-OXQMSAZ43Yt45KHW-YccE2woCdBid8dZ2xcfz8JjQi2b74i0SNVvLByFXD7PEVNvXECheMO38dBao0sb0lydFxl4p4QQ-LQkmWsWsTx0okzmiOTIn-fIFG-~LC9BGLKcor9~07Vn4koLOjfN~9K~4ZL808NavOnBWyug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harris","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","Harris County Commissioners Court on Jan. 9 adopted a resolution recognizing Jan. 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day and approved a tri-party agreement to keep six gates closed on parts of the Bissonnet corridor, an area where officials said schoolchildren were being targeted for trafficking recruitment.

Commissioner Briones, who brought the resolution, called trafficking \"modern-day slavery\" and described partnerships with nonprofits, law enforcement and school districts as central to prevention work. \"We will be doing everything possible to combat human trafficking in our region,\" she said.

Speakers from local nonprofits and law enforcement described outreach and victim services. \"These are real people with real faces and real families,\" said Gabby Campbell, interim CEO of The Landing, which provides survivor care. Angela Welton, bureau chief for special victims at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, told a survivor story to illustrate how traffickers recruit and isolate young people.

Commissioners also approved a tri-party agreement among Precinct 4, the Houston Police Department and Southwest Management District that funds and installs six gates in spots identified by HPD as recruitment hotspots. Commissioner Briones said the gates and related enforcement have coincided with a one-year, two-mile radius crime reduction of about 37 percent near the installed gates, though she and staff noted multiple factors can influence crime trends.

Law enforcement leaders thanked the court for pay increases and capital investments that they say support training and response; Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and other chiefs spoke at the resolution. County staff said existing investments in training facilities and raises were part of a continuing effort to support officers and partner agencies.

The court heard public praise for the gates and for coordinated prevention efforts; commissioners urged continued partnership among law enforcement, schools and community groups as the county prepares for large events such as the 2026 World Cup.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harris - Commissioners Court - Jan 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners proclaimed Jan. 11 Human Trafficking Awareness Day, heard from survivor-support organizations and law enforcement, and approved a tri-party agreement to install six gates on the Bissonnet corridor after local school districts and precinct staff reported youths being targeted for recruitment.","taxTitle","Harris County, Texas","taxId",2707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6749678,"Harris County to bring HEART mobile crisis response program in-house",225,7860000,8085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d&start=7860&end=8085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d/thumbnail_7860000.jpg","/articles/6749678/Harris-County/Texas/Harris-County-to-bring-HEART-mobile-crisis-response-program-in-house","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749678-0308e13a578d52fdf5bbb1c5facfaf2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068870&Signature=BFMyFwAUBly66vQUWTgK3LjYad0~yIv~4eLORkoEnb8Bu4IFj7IQTODqann3OEMq34LEVtkD7M1So~H~1e89abSwYYyAElG4CS2PyKX-C~0bh1UChX65sCSTjbHVl8UD74fqCE7oWIfeGCjFjc-rCPz13pLPDD3F2dORSvhZxN8F9j4fU3s-QPbb4YhKeOQo~YGiz6fK1z6wrSdpRYP87fxgIDegBukCo6ps0Aa~nrOHh30K5haSkHV~i1qwMekwrix3jVq0sXypM5IxJkwSOl478CPOMDj5wp~W6PYcKA0QbyEdYirD~bX-i4fd4G-10lV16K5NY85BiUj-W77rqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harris County Commissioners Court on Jan. 9 approved a plan to transfer the HEART mobile crisis response program from its current contractor into county operations, with the county expecting to start transition staffing later in January.

County Interim Director Leah Barton told the court her department identified 28 people to join county payroll and completed plans for technology, vehicles and facilities to avoid interruption in service. \"We're ready to get them started on Jan. 27,\" Barton said.

Supporters said bringing HEART in-house will give the county greater accountability and continuity of care. \"We will have the continuity of services to the community and be able to further expand the program,\" Commissioner Briones said. She described the move as a win for both public health and public safety.

Critics asked for clearer performance metrics and more granular evaluation. Commissioner Ramsey reviewed program call data since HEART's inception and urged the court to rely on evaluations to guide expansion. He said that of about 16,300 HEART responses recorded to date, only a small share were \"mission-driven essential\" mental-health interventions and urged the court to study the calls to refine HEART's mission.

Barton said the county has an evaluation contract for HEART and expected the analysis to come to court in the coming weeks. She also said the county saw reductions in violent crime in some neighborhoods where HEART and complementary public-safety initiatives operate. \"We want to get more granular data,\" Barton said, and described work with the research and analysis division to cross-check 9-1-1 and HEART call data.

The court approved the transfer and directed staff to provide evaluation details and metrics for measuring success going forward. The decision creates a county-managed mobile crisis response team that will operate alongside existing programs such as CERT (the Clinician-Emergency Responder Team) and VIPER policing partnerships rather than replacing them.

The county will continue to refine the program's protocols and reporting, and commissioners asked staff to return with the evaluation findings and suggested performance benchmarks.","Commissioners voted to transfer the HEART mobile crisis response program into Harris County operations, citing continuity of services and plans to evaluate program outcomes. The vote followed debate about how to measure the program's effectiveness and how HEART fits alongside other crisis-response teams.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6749658,"Parents and providers press Commissioners Court over Early Reach contract changes for Little Explorers Academy",361,6801000,7162000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d&start=6801&end=7162","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d/thumbnail_6801000.jpg","/articles/6749658/Harris-County/Texas/Parents-and-providers-press-Commissioners-Court-over-Early-Reach-contract-changes-for-Little-Explorers-Academy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749658-4102732bae738adc74399227883b43c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068870&Signature=IDixl9cIE4Z0z723mHUXFpavsjDMM-FRYQdpyrpToS2M438OL5dQGR0SpZl-upbjm2uBfNLldyIhsd1SaK15AcYD92RefacuX20DJ1fKgDa3187GJpEf9oLNwqV1JBMxkFQDDm864HmuHneSc48NbA~bJgJPKi4afVYvg63sSBaQz6Wlj9qbLvXCq3GvASPC4r7aVb9OCLUcirIXQeO6C6CRt4PFLqNqAUtvPOmxabwf8KPFJ~zwrWabIv-RJC6RTnsIhI6LZy-hqubUbQeo-Wjqqgm~9i3gSsba6n0CFJm~CAFaBg6aorre8FyDhIg5m1j2J1KHrQLBw0Ygwgahfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents, staff and child-care leaders addressed Commissioners Court on Jan. 9 to urge Harris County to reconsider a decision in the Early Reach child-care program affecting Little Explorers Academy in Klein. Parents said the county's notice that contracts would not move into phase two of the program would displace children and force families to take more distant, lower-performing alternatives.

Deanna Kent, owner and director of Little Explorers Academy, told the court her center serves more than 50 children through Early Reach and that parents are distraught about contract nonrenewal. \"Why break something that does not need fixing?\" she asked. Several parents said they would not be able to find two slots for two children on short notice and appealed for reconsideration.

Director Leah Barton told callers the matter is considered a nonagenda issue and that staff would follow up with the families after the meeting. She also said county staff would meet with providers and the Early Reach administrators to address immediate parental needs and placement options.

Commissioners instructed staff to follow up directly with parents and providers to explore options and to report back to the court. No action was taken at the Jan. 9 meeting.","Multiple parents and providers told Commissioners Court that Little Explorers Academy, a provider in the Early Reach child-care program, was told its contract would not move to the next program phase; parents warned about losing full-day slots and urged the county to reconsider.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6749662,"Commissioners approve one-time retention incentive for Precinct 4 employees over dissent on precedent",380,9880000,10260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d&start=9880&end=10260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d/thumbnail_9880000.jpg","/articles/6749662/Harris-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-one-time-retention-incentive-for-Precinct-4-employees-over-dissent-on-precedent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749662-e417d325d7638a9b31deb71f738f58f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068870&Signature=UzkuuaGx70K40mddVX7xY8mlSQDo~1a0YjvvD7CV8N5r1foTEphLjFA5W2GyRiF3ZjCCVWVaPlyCRJQsoebmQKbz570a-R6WpeZW-E4QHUOAdDoA~9ycJnebvSUvzyn2Bp8igIol-3JpZ2Zr-Bzp7c9dhArJvqd6YBmPEIu9KEKxBJRaxhIOsLIQr63Tuv4JpqoDKgkeCHndcJ2lawTsvoXvOqA20ECkjp5lz1BA0dO1k3ZSVBvQeNsnNlvPW4jRODxgp7PSGsqFsbPtCNfa4kgCpt6l~H6thrkN88qzcuKFLEZEf96Wt2-1-QDc3btytOSy3Y6AQYCqvpa6MdMoOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners on Jan. 9 approved a one-time retention incentive for employees in Precinct 4 funded from that office's budget. Commissioner Briones said the incentive is a targeted retention tool for top-performing employees and that her office followed legal and budgetary guidance in designing the plan.

\"This is a retention incentive within my approved budget,\" Briones said, adding the program focuses on the top two performance categories. Briones said her staff developed a performance-evaluation system with clear KPIs, midyear checks and annual reviews, and that she expects the incentive to help retain staff and maintain service levels.

Commissioner Garcia supported the item but emphasized the need for a process that other departments could use if they develop comparable performance systems. Commissioner Brownis and Commissioner Ellis supported the incentive and praised the precinct's performance-management approach.

Commissioner Ramsey opposed the motion, saying he could not support a policy that grants discretion to one office while other offices with similar personnel needs would not automatically receive the same benefit. Ramsey said he wanted a broader county policy discussion on one-time incentives and a consistent process for all elected and appointed offices.

County legal staff said the payout, as structured, is limited to Precinct 4 and does not create a countywide entitlement. The motion passed 4-1.","The court approved a one-time retention payout for employees in Commissioner Briones' Precinct 4 office, voting 4-1 on the item after debate about fairness and whether other elected offices should receive similar authority and funding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6749669,"Commissioners approve first tranche of commercial paper for county energy pilot; debate follows on debt use",158,5407000,5565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d&start=5407&end=5565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097711-8c6ae49d25633646d91eb6def2a9512d/thumbnail_5407000.jpg","/articles/6749669/Harris-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-first-tranche-of-commercial-paper-for-county-energy-pilot-debate-follows-on-debt-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6749669-5743cebabf7a3f0b5edef7bb0bb1aa81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068870&Signature=X0Mwb5bJm1ztJamQ9GrE3l8MNyU7sblhyJqH-~Mr9xRUKTGNJVJoBIhyyU0hjIkuqp6q8xrYkfZTqn1Qg7gaWL5nEaT6u5lXtb3-4c1kPeAKChIPsSKDWqd1lOgd1Eo8edJJMO5rI2C4zkq34N5LyR-yYXBlZxGbjF88vPaMghRESRJi74g6~ZVMrMFnAJ3HtZ0jaDoHxozHLBuox18UZFuxJM6Q~qHoh889i0gMslA-X7-Is3Z5pcZQEEAbOxmuU~gsl3E8zkZy7uyRb4p7I4NQY1HAunauJ1jFGZmsOfUOAbaHOCpQc9PmfpAB4XQswj1B3krZPLOUWG4XU8iQ4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harris County Commissioners Court on Jan. 9 authorized the first tranche of commercial paper financing for an energy infrastructure pilot that includes solar-panel installations at selected county facilities.

The motion approved an initial $3.7 million issuance, which county staff said is the first step in a broader program budgeted at roughly $10.1 million for energy projects. The county said the commercial paper will provide interim financing while projects are executed; staff and the county's finance office said some commercial paper issuances are short-term and can be paid from operations or converted to long-term bonds when appropriate.

Commissioner Ramsey pressed staff on how commercial paper affects long-term taxpayer burden and asked how and when the county rolls short-term paper into long-term debt. County financial staff said some commercial paper is routinely paid off within a year and that large capital projects may be rolled into long-term bonds depending on the asset's life. \"We don't necessarily sell a 20-year bond for an asset we know will last five years,\" staff said.

Commissioner Ramsey also requested a broader briefing on the county's debt portfolio and how additional commercial paper would affect the property-tax rate. County staff agreed to prepare a portfolio presentation for a future meeting.

The court approved the commercial-paper request without recorded dissents.","The court authorized an initial commercial-paper issuance for the county's energy infrastructure pilot including solar panels, approving $3.7 million in the first tranche. Commissioners discussed commercial paper as a financing tool and asked for a debt-portfolio briefing in the coming months.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harris County marks Human Trafficking Awareness Day, approves gates along Bissonnet corridor to reduce recruitment of children

Harris County to bring HEART mobile crisis response program in-house

Parents and providers press Commissioners Court over Early Reach contract changes for Little Explorers Academy

Commissioners approve one-time retention incentive for Precinct 4 employees over dissent on precedent

Commissioners approve first tranche of commercial paper for county energy pilot; debate follows on debt use