Pandemic policing: More Houston-area cops to take reports over the phone

Contamination kits emplored by the Houston Police Department contain various items officers can use if they come into contact with anyone who might be sick. Contamination kits emplored by the Houston Police Department contain various items officers can use if they come into contact with anyone who might be sick. Photo: Jay R. Jordan / Houston Chronicle Photo: Jay R. Jordan / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 102 Caption Close Pandemic policing: More Houston-area cops to take reports over the phone 1 / 102 Back to Gallery

Police throughout the Houston area are patrolling a little differently amid the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe.

Both the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office will soon start handling some non-emergency calls via telephone. Authorities hope this can cut back on deputies’ and officers’ interactions with the public, reducing the possible exposure to the new coronavirus.

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Starting Wednesday, the sheriff’s office plans to allocate more deputies to take reports over the phone, according to agency spokesperson Jason Spencer. HPD officials have always encouraged residents to call their non-emergency line for non-emergency calls, but say the number is crucial during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Don’t call the police and fire department unless you have a real emergency right now,” Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said after a news conference last week. “We need to be able to respond to actual emergencies.”

Officials stressed that police will always respond to life-threatening emergencies.

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Because of that, police on patrol throughout the county and in the city are now equipped with special kits containing decontaminants, eyewear and other personal protective equipment. The resources are available to officers year-round, but the agencies are ramping up efforts to make sure officers and deputies have the kits ready every day.

Deputies also have the ability to see if a home they’re dispatched to contains someone who is either positive or has been tested for COVID-19 with information shared by health authorities, Spencer said.

HPD’s non-emergency line is 713-884-3131. To make a report with HCSO, call 713-221-6000.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com