From the Desk of Chief Ray Schultz,

This week we experienced a technical issue with our phone system. While we were transferring a call, the call disconnected. Fortunately, due to our protocols of obtaining the location of the emergency, and the type of incident, our emergency response procedures were initiated and both VFD and MVPD responded. Because this particular call came in on our non-emergency line (713-365-3700) our ability to conduct an immediate ring-back was delayed. Obviously, this concerned the caller and of course us when we learned of the event. As we have been investigating this incident, our equipment, our procedures, and the actions of our personnel, we thought it best to update our operations and to let you know how best to notify us of life-safety emergencies. In cases, calls, incidents, or any life safety emergency situation where emergency services are needed, it is always best to call 911. Over the past 2 years, we have completed several upgrades to our 911 equipment in conjunction with Harris County 911. A few years back calls to 911 could be routed to a different 911 call center and GEO locating software could be off location by substantial distances. We are happy to be able to report that those situations have been remedied by the most recent equipment upgrades.  Calls to 911 now will usually route directly to the proper 911 emergency dispatch center.  For 911 emergencies where an immediate police, fire or ambulance response is needed, call 911. For all other requests for police services in the cities of Bunker Hill, Piney Point or Hunters Creek, call our non-emergency number at 713-365-3700.

We apologize for this rare instance of not meeting our high standards of exemplary service. We will continue to constantly review all aspects of our operations for improvements and/or modifications.  As always, we welcome comments and/or suggestions on how we can best continue to serve you. Feel free to contact me directly.

Our best tool for communicating with our community has been through the use of our V-LINC notification system. Each week, this messaging platform sends our weekly report to over 8400 email addresses.  V-LINC is also used by the cities/villages to send out other important community notifications, newsletters, and announcements. We currently reach over 85% of all homes in our 3 cities, but that is not enough. We continue to strive for 100% active participation, so we are asking for your help.  When speaking with neighbors please inquire if they are receiving the V-LINC emails. If not, encourage them to sign up. If they state they were at one time, but are no longer receiving them, let them know they are probably going to their junk mail or spam inbox. Many email service providers, (including AOL, Yahoo and Sbcglobal) have changed their protocols and since we use bulk email services, they think our emails are spam.  This can be corrected by adding us to their safe sender list or by adding us to their contacts list.  Or, as a last resort they can always create a free Gmail account.  Anyone can sign up for V-LINC on our webpage.  Sign up at www.mvpdtx.org Thank You

The Memorial Villages Water Authority asked that I pass along their thanks to everyone who has been helping by limiting their use of water during the current restriction period. They also asked us to warn residents of a suspicious email that had shown up telling the homeowner that they have exceeded watering limits/usage and needed to pay a fee/fine.  The Memorial Villages Water Authority has not sent out any special notices of fees/fines. If there is a problem with water usage you will be contacted directly by the water authority.  Anyone receiving one of these suspicious emails/texts requesting a special payment is asked to contact the Water Authority.  Anyone with questions about watering restrictions or watering concerns can call the Memorial Villages Water Authority at 713-465-8318.   

Thank you to the resident who sent over an envelope of gift cards for Truth Bar-B-Que in the Heights.  We all know, and love Truth BBQ, and we will put them to good use. Thank you for thinking of us.

We are hosting limited tours here at the department for scout groups and others once again after the most recent COVID flareup. This week we hosted Troop 525, Den 3 who learned about fingerprinting with MVPD detectives. If you have a group interested in spending some time with us, please contact Officer Larry Boggus at lboggus@mvpdtx.org

One of the unique things that we have here at the MVPD is our truly unique partnership with our community. One of those partnerships includes working with students at Memorial High School. Obviously, the best known partnerships include the student athletes and business students with the “Birdies Fore Blues” event and the Senior High School Car Parade. But more recently our staff has been working with the video, broadcasting and journalism students of MHS. The students of MHS have put together a 3-part podcast series on Sex Trafficking and episode 2 features area residents Rania Mankanous and Leigh Kohler.  Check out their recent podcast on Human Trafficking at https://youtu.be/-P5nXVH2fUc  WAY TO GO Memorial High!!!

Just a reminder this weekend is Labor Day. Please remember that this is one of the holidays that we in law enforcement consider a “drinking holiday” meaning that there are increased chances for drunk drivers to be on the roads throughout the 3-day weekend.  Please remember to drive defensively and be on the lookout for impaired drivers. As you will read below, we have already arrested 2 DWI drivers this week, so the craziness has already begun.

From the entire MVPD Team, have a great Labor Day Weekend. Chief Ray Schultz rschultz@mvpdtx.org

Weekly Crime Report

Vehicles towed due to No Driver’s License, No Registration and No Insurance

8/25/23 at 1500 Hours. 10700 Block of Memorial Drive.  The vehicle was stopped for displaying an expired temporary paper tag.  Through investigation it was determined the vehicle had not been registered since 2016 and was uninsured.  The driver did not have a driver’s license. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was cited.

8/26/23 at 1445 Hours. 2200 Block of S. Piney Point. The vehicle was stopped for displaying a fraudulent temporary paper license tag.  Upon contacting the driver, officers determined the driver did not have a driver’s license and the vehicle was not registered and was uninsured. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was cited.

8/28/23 at 0545 Hours. 200 Block of Voss. The vehicle was stopped for displaying a fraudulent temporary paper license tag.  Upon contacting the driver, officers were able to determine the driver did not have a driver’s license and the vehicle was not registered and was uninsured. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was cited.

8/28/23 at 0700 Hours. 11900 Block of Memorial Drive. The vehicle was stopped for displaying an expired temporary paper license tag.  Upon contacting the driver, officers determined the driver had a suspended driver’s license, the vehicle was not registered and was uninsured. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was cited.

8/28/23 at 1630 Hours. 100 Block of Radney. The vehicle was stopped for displaying an expired license plate.  Upon contacting the driver, officers determined the driver did not have a driver’s license, the vehicle was not properly registered and was uninsured. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was cited.

8/28/23 at 2130 Hours. 11400 Block of Memorial Drive. The vehicle was stopped for displaying a license plate that belonged to a different vehicle.  Upon contacting the driver, officers found the driver did not have a driver’s license and the vehicle stopped was not registered and was uninsured. The vehicle was towed, and the driver was cited.

Piney Point

8/26/23 at 0015 Hours. 11500 Block of Memorial Drive. Driving While Intoxicated.  Officers responded to the area after other drivers reported a possible drunk driver on Memorial.  Officers arrived in the area and located the suspect vehicle.  Upon stopping the vehicle and contacting the driver, officers observed signs of intoxication. The driver was administered sobriety tests which he failed. The driver refused to provide a breath sample forcing officers to obtain a blood warrant.  The 59-year-old male driver was placed under arrest and booked into the Harris County Jail.  

8/26/23 at 1030 Hours. 200 Block of Merrie Way. Theft. The victim reported that sometime during the night, an unknown person(s) removed a quantity of wood that had been delivered earlier in the day from the construction site.  Information about the wood was collected and provided to detectives who are currently canvassing the area for video surveillance systems. The investigation is ongoing.

Hunters Creek

8/26/23 at 0845 Hours. 1200 Block of River Bend. Driving While Intoxicated. Officers were dispatched to the area in reference to a vehicle striking a fire hydrant.  Upon arrival officers made contact with the driver who was displaying signs of intoxication. The driver was administered and failed a series of sobriety tests. The 22-year-old male driver was placed under arrest and booked into the Harris County Jail. The vehicle was towed.

8/29/23 at 1115 Hours. 900 Block of Boros. Package Theft. The victim reported that a package had been delivered to her home earlier in the day.  Upon going to retrieve the package it was missing from the front porch.  Information about the package was collected and provided to detectives who have taken over the investigation.

8/31/23 at 1600 Hours. 600 Block of Voss. Road Rage/Assault.  Officers responded to the area after receiving reports of a possible road rage incident occurring between 2 vehicles.  Officers located the vehicles involved and separated the parties.  Officers were able to determine that during the incident the vehicles had cut each other off and had blocked each other while driving. Upon stopping, the drivers exited their vehicles and confronted one another resulting in one of the drivers pulling out an unopened folding knife. The DA’s Office was contacted but declined charges at this time.  The drivers were identified and sent on their separate ways.

Bunker Hill

8/27/23 at 1930 Hours. 9600 Block of Briar Forest. Unauthorized Use of a Stolen Motor Vehicle. Officers were alerted to a stolen U-Haul van entering the villages by the ALPR camera system.  Officers were nearby and easily located the U-Haul box truck.  The driver stated that he had rented the U-Haul from an unknown person on Facebook for $150 for 2 weeks. The driver, however, had no paperwork and no information on the person whom he said he rented the truck from.  The DA’s Office was contacted and accepted criminal charges against the driver.  The 29-year-old male was placed under arrest and booked into the Harris County Jail. The truck was recovered.  

8/29/23 at 1515 Hours. Strey at Taylorcrest. Concealing Identity.  Officers initiated a traffic stop on a Center Point vehicle for speeding in a school zone. Upon making contact with the driver, the male provided officers with a name and DOB that was found to be fraudulent and not his. When confronted about the non-verifiable information the subject admitted to lying to the officer. His proper information was then provided, and everything checked out as valid.  When asked why he had lied, the male said because, he was “scared of getting a ticket”.  The 27-year-old male was given several citations in lieu of arrest for his poor behavior and for providing false information.