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Sheriff requests immediate CID investigator as fraud and opportunistic crimes emerge after floods
Summary
Kerr County sheriff reported the county has recorded its first fraud case tied to post‑flood activity and asked the commissioners court to approve an immediate hire for a criminal investigator in the CID unit; the court approved the hire unanimously.
Kerr County’s sheriff told commissioners that, as emergency operations move from search-and-rescue to recovery, the county has begun to see opportunistic crimes, including its first reported fraud case linked to post‑flood activity, and asked the court to authorize an immediate hire for a Criminal Investigations Division (CID) investigator.
Sheriff’s concerns and court action - Increased investigations: The sheriff said he has already observed a “slight increase” in crime related to the disaster and expects more fraud and scams as recovery proceeds. He described examples county officials discussed — individuals offering to haul debris or repair roofs after the flood, sometimes requesting cash up front and then failing to perform services. - Court approval to hire: Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an immediate new CID investigator, with the sheriff saying the additional investigator would help the county respond once outside responders demobilize and local investigative demands increase.
Public discussion and county guidance - Public comment and officials’ guidance emphasized vigilance: officials noted scams can include unlicensed contractors offering to remove debris or perform repairs and urged residents to verify credentials, insist on written agreements and, where possible, use contractors authorized by the county or state removal programs. - Authentication plan: County members discussed plans for a visible credential or identification placard for authorized debris or contractor vehicles so residents can verify a contractor’s official status before entering agreements.
What this means: Commissioners said the hire is intended to cover an immediate need in follow-up investigations and fraud cases that typically appear during recovery. The sheriff said he expects investigative workload to grow as outside first responders depart.
Sources: sheriff’s remarks recorded during the Kerr County Commissioners Court meeting and public comment during the same agenda item.
