History
I
was sworn in on April 06, 1992 and took over a vacant
office after winning the democratic nomination in a three-way
race for Constable. Since that time, I literally built
the office up from “ground level” to where
it is today, a seven-man agency. Taking over as Constable,
I like to use the phrase “ground level” because
that is truly where it came from. I remember after being
sworn in as Constable by County Judge I.J. Irvin Jr.,
I purchased a generic peace office badge while waiting
on my official badge to be produced and shipped. In addition
to lacking a badge, there were no uniforms, emblems,
citations, vehicles, equipment and not even an office.
Looking back to 1992, the Office of Constable in Wharton
County Precinct #2 has made huge leaps and strides to
become the largest Constable Office in Wharton County.
I ran on a platform of being a uniformed Constable
and providing visible patrols in a marked patrol car.
A few months later this became reality. I attended
meetings and classes for the next several months and
became aware of several innovative ways to make the
Constable’s Office more effective all the while
saving money for the constituents. I met with Constable’s
from larger counties such as Harris County and became
aware how full-time non-paid or “reserve” deputy
constables are essential within their agencies. This
to me was the answer to bring more visible enforcement
to the streets of Precinct #2. Initially the Wharton
County Commissioner’s Court approved my first
deputy constable position. This deputy patrolled approximately
20 hours per month and assisted with my duties when
I was unavailable. I received several compliments from
citizens who were pleased to see increased visibility
from the Constable’s Office.
 |
Annual Bar-B-Que for Junior
High School Students
|
Year by year
the Constable’s Office in Precinct #2 increased
patrol and productivity. More warrants were cleared, civil
process served, calls handled, DWI and drug arrest were
increasing. In 1997 the position was elevated to full-time
and that was a first for Wharton County. Since 1997 to
present, the size of the Constable’s Office has
grown nearly 400%. I took the idea of full-time non-paid
deputy constable’s and expanded it into 5 deputies
at present. These deputies in addition to just being peace
officers are cross-trained in several aspects of public
safety. A large majority are either EMS certified or have
been EMS certified. At present, that consist of three
Paramedics and one is an Intermediate-EMT. All patrol
vehicles are equipped with advanced emergency medical
supplies, medications and EKG/defibrillators to help stabilize
patients prior to EMS arrival. Some deputies in addition
to emergency medical training are firefighters, arson
investigators, trained in swift water rescue, civil process
and environmental law among others.
One
of the biggest changes is the addition of our Environmental
Crimes Division as of February 2002. Deputy Mark Somer
began as a part-time employee and quickly grew to full-time
in January 2003. Since the Constable’s Office began
handling environmental crimes, Deputy Somer has handled
over 900 cases and cleared over 660 cases. Some cases
are as minor as a single bag of garbage thrown into a
ditch or field, and other cases result in felony charges
being filed. Recently County Judge John Murrile in conjunction
with Wharton County Commissioner’s Court, turned
over a Community Service Clean-up Project over to our
office. Judge Murrile was very successful with this type
of program while Justice of the Peace in Precinct #2 and
in conjunction with adult probation; Wharton County is
being cleaned on a weekly basis, again at a minimal cost
to the taxpayers. This program has been assigned to the
Environmental Division and my office has recently received
funding in the form of a $37,000 grant, which will be
used to purchase a new vehicle, trailer, supplies, and
four commercial dumpsters to further aid in the progress
of this program.
Currently my
office has increased our emphasis on several different
fronts, especially warrants and hot check warrants. My
deputies in 2003 cleared 214 felony and misdemeanor warrants
which resulted in clearing over $50,000 in fines and restitution.
Recently, a project between the Justice of the Peace Precinct
#2 and my office has distributed Hot Check Warning signs
to precinct businesses in a way to help deter the passage
of worthless or hot checks. Separate from warrants, in
September 2003, one of our full-time non-paid deputies
seized over $46,000 and a vehicle from a drug currier.
My agency is using this money to further fight the “war
on drugs” by purchasing a narcotic contraband dog,
which will be used in Wharton County.
Hopefully this has been a little “informal” information
to see where the office was in 1992, where it is in
2004 and where it is going in the future. I am excited
to think back to where we started and where we are
today. I would like to also thank my many constituents
for there past support and their willingness to help
in the future.
Click Here to view some of our latest
equipment.
