ORDER NO. cEO86
FORMAL AF'F'ROVRL OF THE N,ERR COMMUNITY FLAN
On this the ~,`ith day of Octo6er• 1999, capon motion made by
Commissioner Let z, seconded 6y Commissioner Paldwin, the
Court unanimously approved 6y a vote of 4-Q~-0, the 2Q~~0/2001
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Community Plan for• F;er•r•
County, Texas.
COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST
PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND NINE COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE
REVIEWED BY THE COURT.
MADE BY: Fred Henneke
MEETING DATE: October 25, 1999
SUBJECT: (PLEASE BE SPECIFIC)
OFFICE: CountYJudge
TIME PREFERRED:
Consider and discuss approval for the Kerr County Community Plan.
EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON)
NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT:
ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION:
IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE:
Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter
551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows:
Meeting scheduled for Mondays:
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY:
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON:
Count~ge/Robert Christy
5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday.

All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been
prepazed for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be
appreciated and contribute towazds you request being addressed at the eazliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules
Adopted by Commissioners' Court.
KERR COUNTY, TEXAS
2000 - 2001
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
AND
PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMUNITY PLAN
OCTOBER 1999
Points of Contact:
Kerr County Judge Fred Henneke - (830) 792-2215
Peter Steeghs -Juvenile Justice - (830) 257-6110
Bill Hill -Public Safety/Narcotics Trafficking - (830) 257-2991
Diane L. Oehler -Victims Services - (830) 896-2272
KERR COUNTY, TEXAS
CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY PLAN
OCTOBER 1999
INDEIC
PART ONE - CRIME AND DELINQUENCY
I. Background and Introduction
II. Purpose
PART TWO - PRIORITY AREAS WITH IDENTIFICATION OF
COMMfJNITY RESOURCES, GAPS IN SERVICES,
COORDINATION, AND ACTION STRATEGIES
I. Juvenile Justice Issues
II. Victims Services
III. Public Safety/Drug Trafficking
2
PART ONE - CRIME AND DELINQUENCY
I. BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
Since 1997 the Criminal Justice Division of the Texas
Governor's Office has given grant funding priority to projects
that are part of a comprehensive Community Plan. This means that
criminal justice planners work with diverse groups of community
leaders to assess and assign priorities to community problems and
to develop comprehensive strategies that address community needs.
The Community Plans that result from these collaborative
efforts identify community resources, note the current
coordination between local agencies, identify where the gaps in
services exist, and lay out strategies to address the community's
needs.
Kerr County is located in South Central region of Texas and
includes the cities of Kerrville, Center Point, Hunt, and Ingram.
The geographical area of the county measures some 1,107 square
miles. Kerr County has a total population of over 46,000 people.
Kerr County has a Caucasian, non-Hispanic, majority. Latest
available statistics show a per capita income of $19,885. Within
the county there are 14 public schools. Kerr County has three
hospitals; Sid Peterson Memorial, the Kerrville State Hospital,
and a Veteran's Administration Hospital that has recently been
renamed as South Texas Health Care System-Kerrville Division. The
county's employment base is a mixture of government jobs, service
providers, manufacturing, and construction workers. The county's
unemployment rate is low but minorities are disadvantaged in that
statistic. Agriculture is still a notable part of the county's
economic base. Tourism is the most significant "industry" in the
county.
Kerr County faces many of the same social problems as other
rural counties in Texas. However, because Kerrville's location
and size, this county has traditionally provided many services to
surrounding rural areas.
II. PURPOSE
In developing this Community Plan there has been an attempt
to be inclusive in reaching a consensus in regard to problems and
solutions. The plan tries to address specific areas of concern,
to adequately assess the community's needs, and to provide for a
continuum of services for the citizens of Kerr County. This plan
was formatted by a diverse group of community leaders who are
committed to improving the quality of life in Kerr County.
3
The 2000-2001 Kerr County Community Plan is a collaborative
effort identifying three major criminal justice issues that are
of concern to the citizens of Kerr County. The issues are
priority ranked and areas of concern related to those issues are
identified. Additionally, local resources are named, service
providers are listed, and coordination between existing resources
is noted. Finally, we have identified gaps in service; services
that are either not available locally or are under funded.
The major criminal justice categories that the Community
Planning group identified are:
1. Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
2. Victims Services
3. Public Safety and Drug Trafficking
4
PART TWO - PRIORITY PROBLEM AREAS
JUVENILE JUSTICE
The Juvenile Justice issues of today's society represent a
growing task for all law enforcement agencies and a deep
concern for communities at large. State and national
statistics reflect the fact that arrests of juveniles, aged
15 to 18, have risen significantly. These rising arrest
rates coupled with the types of crimes they represent
negatively impact the children and families involved, as
well as placing great strain on community resources. While
it is mutually understood that punitive punishment should
be the result of juveniles committing a crime, there is
also a growing awareness that intervention strategies are
imperative for dealing successfully with Juvenile Justice
concerns.
Statistical figures obtained from the Kerrville Chamber of
Commerce show the estimated population growth in Kerr
County to be 2.9$ annually. The statistics place the Kerr
County population at 46,623 in 1998, with 230 of the
residents being under the age of 18. As the population of
Kerr County grows, our existing problems are compounded by
the increased need for available services. In addition,
because of population and location, Kerr County often
provides services and referrals for surrounding rural
counties.
Current areas of concern and noted gaps in service
provisions include:
a. There is a need for Juvenile Law Enforcement Officers
who specifically handle the intake of juveniles
detained in the county. Currently the intake process
is not sufficiently standardized and there is often a
lack of communication between the various agencies
involved in the process. Simultaneously, there is a
need for School Resource Officers in local schools.
(The positions of Juvenile Law Enforcement Officer and
of School Resource Officer could possibly be combined
to function in a dual capacity)
b. There is a need for an Independent Living Program to
assist juvenile offenders released from detention
transition back into the community by teaching them
increased responsibility, while providing them with
5
additional therapeutic assistance, structured
stability, and academic/life skill support.
c. There is a need for prevention-based programs that
address underage drinking and substance abuse among
teenagers, and for preventative programs that address
intimidation, date rape, and violent conduct in
schools and in recreational settings.
d. There is a need for a Parenting Skills Program for
juvenile parents, that is focused on teaching young
parents practical skills for providing care to babies
and young children.
e. There is a need for continued counseling and program
services for pre-adjudicated juveniles and juveniles
who are on probation, and a need for continuation of
the Probation Assisting in Education Program (PAE) to
improve their academic performance.
f. There is a need for portable computers for Juvenile
Probation Officers to assist with responsibilities in
their on-campus offices in the local schools.
g. There is a need to develop a Ropes Course at Kerr
County's Juvenile Facility to provide experientially
based therapy for juveniles in detention and on
probation. In addition, there is a need to increase
utilization of other available resources to set up
experientially based outdoor activities for juveniles
and to involve community volunteers in the programs.
h. There is a need for summer recreational programs for
teenagers (such as a performing arts program). There
are many mentors and community volunteers who could be
encouraged to help coordinate these types of activity
during the summer months.
i. There is a need to reduce sex-offenses behaviors among
teenagers by disseminating relevant information, and
by locating and/or training registered sex-offender
treatment providers who are specifically experienced
in working with juveniles in detention and on
probation.
j. There is a need for the Kerr County Juvenile Facility
to obtain formal Drug Offender Education Program
Certification.
k. There is a need for increased job opportunities for
teenagers in our community. Many employers erroneously
perceive that teenagers are excluded from certain jobs
because of possible stringent regulations that would
prohibit their hiring youth. A greater understanding
must be created among employers, of the specific laws
6
limiting the hiring of teenagers, while emphasizing
that there are jobs for which youth can be hired.
1. There is a need to disseminate information in the
workplace about the negative effects and consequences
of substance abuse, and about substance abuse and
violence prevention measures and programs.
A. Community Resources
The Kerr County Juvenile Facility serves as a
rehabilitation and correctional center for local juvenile
offenders and for out-of-county juvenile offenders who
are placed in the facility, under order of the Court, by
their respective probation departments. Based on a
Criminal Justice Grant received in 1998, the juvenile
facility has expanded services to include pre-adjudicated
juveniles. As a result, juveniles in short-term placement
currently receive individual therapy, group therapy,
family therapy, and aftercare case planning. Furthermore,
a number of community resources for juvenile offenders
are currently utilized by the Juvenile Facility. The Hill
Country Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse is conducting
two weekly substance abuse education programs, and
Serenity Foundation of Texas is also presenting a program
aimed at substance abuse intervention. An Adult Probation
Officer from the 216t" Judicial District teaches a weekly
life-skills education class for pre-adjudicated
juveniles, and a Conflict Resolution Class is offered
through K'Star Services. Other community-based programs
that are in place at the Juvenile Facility include: 1.)
weekly group sessions to address sex-offense behaviors
and sexual abuse issues, and 2.) a variety of one time
educational and/or life skill classes designated to
assist juveniles in becoming and remaining self
sufficient after their release from detention, and 3.) a
facility based mentoring program utilizes the services of
community volunteers to assist juveniles as mentors and
as academic tutors.
Finally, in response to the local mandate for increased
student accountability in education and truancy
prevention, the Probation Assisting in Education (PAE)
Program is being hosted by the Kerr County Juvenile
Facility. This program is a joint effort between the
Kerr County Juvenile Probation Department, Kerrville
7
Independent School District (KISD), and the Kerr County
Juvenile Facility. It is designed to improve academic
performance by giving juveniles the assistance of
professional educators in a structured, court ordered
setting. If a juvenile on probation is failing in school
and/or has excessive, unexcused absences, the Kerr County
Probation Department will enroll the juvenile in the PAE
Program. The juvenile will be expected to attend and
participate in the PAE Program each Saturday morning at
the juvenile facility from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. until
the next report card is issued. If the juvenile has an
average of C- or better and has no unexcused absences for
the six-week period, that juvenile will be released from
the program.
In addition to the fore mentioned programs being worked
through the Juvenile Facility, there are several
independent programs targeting juveniles that are
currently being offered in the community. K'Star offers
no cost counseling to families and children in crisis or
conflict; no adjudicated juvenile offender qualifies. In
addition, K'Star runs an emergency youth shelter and
coordinates parenting classes, support groups, and the
Enhanced Horizons Program designed for at-risk youth and
their families. Independence House runs both outpatient
and residential treatment programs for juveniles who have
substance abuse issues. There is a CASA program that.
offers legal and personal advocacy to youth involved with
the county's Juvenile Court system. Hill Country Crisis
Council operates a safe house for women and children who
are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
Additionally, local school districts, churches, and
various non-profit organizations offer a variety of
outreach services to the youth of the community.
Community Resources:
1. Alamo Area Council of Governments
2. Center Point ISD
3. Crime Stoppers
4. Divide ISD
5. Hill Country Council on Alcohol and
Drug Abuse
6. Hill Country Court Appointed Special
Advocates (CASA)
7. Hill Country Crisis Council
8. Hill Country Family Outreach
9. Hunt ISD
8
10. Independence House
11. Ingram ISD
12. Ingram Marshall's Office
13. K'Star Youth and Family Services
14. Kerr County Attorney's Office
15. Kerr County Child Services Board
16. Kerr County Christian Action Council/
Crisis Pregnancy Center
17. Kerr County Child Advocacy Team
18. Kerr County Constables
19. Kerr County Juvenile Facility
20. Kerr County Sheriff's Department
21. Kerr County Juvenile Probation
Department
22. Kerrville ISD
23. Kerrville Police Department
24. Narcotics Task Force - 216th Court
25. Salvation Army
26. Serenity Foundation
27. Texas Department of Public Safety
28. Texas Workforce Commission
29. Texas Youth Commission
30. YMCA - Volunteers Of America Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Project
B. Current Coordination
1. Historically, the resources listed above operated
independently of each other. Most especially, law
enforcement agencies were self-sufficient with
enforcing the law and in keeping the peace. However,
it is now evident that the community's goal is to
coordinate available services and network information
in a manner that allows all available resources to be
used at their optimal levels.
2. There is a Community Resource Coordination Group
f,CRCG) that meets monthly to staff local service
delivery for children and families with multiagency
needs. There is also a Community Service Action
Council, an organization of local non-profit agencies
that meets bi-monthly to resolve community issues.
3. There is a Law Enforcement Task Force under the Kerr
County Sheriff's direction. This group meets weekly to
insure all agencies are informed of actions being
taken and to solicit alternative solutions and
9
recommendations to the problems facing local law
enforcement.
9. There is the Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition
(JCECE) which will help determine community strategies
for fighting juvenile crime.
5. Local school districts, various churches and non-
profit agencies coordinate programs and services for
local youth. These groups often meet monthly, some
have regular Board of Directors meetings, some sponsor
public education programs, and/or offer volunteer
training. All these activities increase community
awareness of the problems facing Kerr County.
C. Required Actions to Address Current Needs and
Gaps in Service
1. Funding must be obtained to hire Juvenile Law
Enforcement Officers, and/or School Resource
Officers in the city and the county. These
officers will serve as a community resource and
will function as both confidante and positive
role model for teenagers. These officers will be
trained to handle the intake process of each
juvenile arrested in the county.
2. Resources must be found to fund an Independent
T,iving Program. This program would serve as a
transitional program for juveniles released from
detention to assist with reintegration back into
the community. It could also provide a temporary
placement for juveniles before the Court who need
to be away from a dysfunctional family
environment. (Situations in which placement in a
locked facility would not be appropriate).
3. Increased funding will be sought to set up
prevention-based programs that target substance
abuse among teenagers, as well as preventative
programs that address intimidation, date rape,
and violent conduct in schools, in recreational
settings, and in the workplace. Preventative
programs should increasingly be focused on the
involvement and accountability of parents in
implementing and monitoring the prevention
measures. Current Substance Abuse Education
programs must be continued, and the Kerr County
Juvenile Facility is taking additional steps tc
10
formally obtain Drug Offender Education Program
Certification.
4. Funding will be sought for continued counseling
and program services for pre-adjudicated
juveniles and juveniles on probation.
5. Funding will be sought to implement early
intervention measures for at-risk kids; as well
as to increase the availability of structured
supportive, out-of-home placements for children
whose home environment is unsuitable.
6. Funding will be sought to build a Ropes Course
Program at the Kerr County Juvenile Facility.
There will also be funding sought to expand other
experientially based therapy programs for
juveniles by utilizing existing resources and
through involving community volunteers.
7. The county will continue to reinforce student
accountability in education and truancy
prevention through continuing programs such as
the Probation Assisting in Education (PAE)
Program, and will find funding to supply
probation officers in schools with portable
computers.
8. The county will contact Serenity Foundation of
Texas to fill the need for Parenting Skills
programs and Character Education programs for
juvenile parents who have been placed on
probation and on aftercare supervision.
9. The county will take preventative measures to
reduce sex-offense behaviors among teenagers by
disseminating relevant information, and by
locating and/or training registered sex-offender
treatment providers who are specifically
experienced in working with juveniles who are in
detention and on probation.
10. Through the assistance of mentors and community
volunteers, efforts will be made to create
recreational programs for teenagers during summer
months.
11. Efforts will be made to coordinate the
availability of jobs for teenagers through the
Texas Workforce Commission. Efforts will also be
increased to disseminate information in the
workplace about the effects and consequences of
substance abuse, and about substance abuse and
violence prevention measures and programs.
11
VICTIMS SERVICES
For many years the Criminal Justice System focused on criminals
who perpetrated crimes and the victims were virtually ignored.
That focus is changing. There is strong evidence that the
antisocial behaviors of many criminals are the result of their
own life experiences.
Behavior patterns learned in childhood are often carried forward
and practiced in adulthood. The abused child who grew up in a
society that did not adequately attend to his/her needs may well
become a child abuser. The child who grew up in a home where
domestic violence was the norm may know no other way to behave in
the setting of a Family. Personal failures and frustrations
often translate into criminal activity or attempts of escapism
through substance abuse. Individuals may justify revenge or
social control or violence in the name of self-defense or
entitlement. The effort to provide coordinated programs that
will benefit victims is our community's response to breaking this
cycle of violence.
U.S. Bureau of Census statistics indicates that the population of
Rerr County rose from 38,580 in 1995 to 46,623 in 1998. This
growth in population compounds our existing problems and
increases the community's need for available services. In
addition, because of population and location, Rerr County often
provides services and referrals for other rural counties in the
Texas Hill Country.
The noted areas of concern are child abuse, domestic violence,
substance abuse, sexual assault, affordable childcare, lack of
employment opportunities, and homelessness.
a. COMMUNITY RESOURCES
In Rerr County, we are able to give limited help to families and
individuals who seek basic needs assistance (food, clothing,
childcare, temporary housing, and utility bills). In addition,
there is some medical and dental care available as well as
limited no cost or sliding scale counseling.
Hill Country Crisis Counsel maintains a safe house for victims of
domestic violence and sexual assault. R'Star Youth and Family
Services operates an emergency shelter for children/youths.
TDPRS maintains an area office in Rerr County. A CASA program
works with the Courts and the County to provide services for
children involved in the judicial process. Additionally, local
12
school districts, churches, law enforcement agencies and	various
non-profi	t organizations offer a variety of outreach services to
the community. The local judiciary is professional, well	informed
and caring.	
1.	Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)	
2.	American Red Cross	
3.	Any Baby Can, Inc.	
4.	Center Point Independent School District	
5.	Christian Assistance Ministry	
6.	Community Social Action Council	
7.	Dietert Claim	
8.	Hill Country Court Appointed Special Advocates	(CASA)
9.	Hill Country Christian Counseling Service	
10.	Hill Country Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse	
11.	Hill Country Crisis Council, Inc.	
12.	Bill Country Family Outreach	
13.	Homespun ECI	
14.	Hospice Rerrville Area	
15.	Hunt Independent School District/Divide School	District
16.	Ingram Independent School District	
17.	R'STAR	
18.	Rerr County Child Services Board	
19.	Rerr County Christian Action Council	
	/Crisis Pregnancy Center (Talley House)	
20.	Rerr County Daycare Center	
21.	Rerr County Indigent Health Center	
22.	Rerr County Sheriff's Department	
23.	Rerrville Housing Authority	
24.	Rerrville Independent School District (RISD)	
25.	Rerrville ISD's Headstart Program	
26.	Rerrville Ministerial Alliance	
27.	Rerrville Police Department	
28.	Rerrville State Hospital	
29.	Rids' Advocacy Place	
30.	MHMR - Hill Country Community Services	
31.	Partners in Parenting Education	
32.	Peterson Regional Health Care Center	
33.	Raphael Free Clinic	
34.	Salvation Army	
35.	Sunshine Inn Daycare	
36.	Texas Department oŁ Protective and Regulatory	Services
37.	Texas Rehabilitation Commission	
38.	Texas Rural Legal Aid	
39.	Texas State Attorney	
40.	Texas State Rural Legal Aid	
41.	Various Churches of all Denominations	
42.	WIC	
13
b. CURRENT COORDINATION
(1) Historically, the resources providers listed above operated
independently of each other. Most especially law
enforcement agencies were fairly self-sufficient in
enforcing the laws, solving crimes and keeping the peace.
However, it has become increasingly evident that our goal
must be to address the underlying cause of problems, that it
is not enough to just deal punitively with the problem. To
that end, our community has begun to coordinate services and
network information so that our resources are optimally
used.
(2) There is a Community Resource Coordination Group that meets
monthly to staff local service delivery for children and
families with multiagency needs. This group is made up oŁ
representatives of various state agencies, school districts,
and social service providers. There is also a Community
Social Agency Council that meets bi-monthly with programs of
mutual interest to various agencies. This council records
and publishes personnel changes in area agencies and updates
the listing of services available in the community-
(3) The Child Services Board meets monthly to coordinate special
services for children in state conservatorship and to
promote awareness for the needs of children who have been
victimized. Hill Country Family Outreach works with the
parents of children who have been identified as being at
risk for abuse and neglect. Through its Star Program, R'Star
Youth and Family Services reaches out to youth and Families
in conflict or crisis with no cost counseling, parenting
classes, and support groups. R'Star also coordinates the
Enhanced Horizons Program for at risk youth and their
families. Hill Country CASA works with the Courts to provide
advocacy and services to children involved in the judicial
process.
(4) Many local churches have pooled their resources to
fund/staff a well-respected central distribution agency
(The Christian Assistance Ministry) which supplies basic
necessities for families in need. Many of these same
churches fund, Hill Country Christian Counseling, a sliding
scale counseling service for families or individuals in
crisis. These ecumenical efforts have enjoyed notable
success in Rerr County.
~4
(5) The Raphael Free Clinic has been established to help meet
the community's need for low cost medical services. This
facility is focused toward women and children who have no
insurance or Medicaid coverage. Any Baby Can assists
children (birth through twelve) who have disabilities. The
program provides referrals, crisis assistance, counseling,
and support groups that focus on prevention and advocacy.
Homespun ECI works to provide family support and educational
services to developmentally delayed and disabled children
birth to three years old. Rerr County Day Care provides
affordable, sliding scale childcare, and underwrites some
childcare scholarships.
(6) The Rerr County Advocacy Team has made measurable progress
since its formation and initial training. They have worked
to establish Rids' Advocacy Place. This facility will serve
children who are the victims of sexual and severe physical
abuse and their non-offending family members. Rids'
Advocacy Place provides evaluation, intervention, evidence
gathering, and counseling in a non-threatening, child
friendly environment.
(7) Various agencies providing services to victims have monthly
Board of Directors meetings, volunteer training, and public
education offerings that help increase community awareness
of the problems facing Rerr County. In January of 2000,
there are plans to repeat a very successful forty hour
volunteer training session coordinated by Hill Country
Crisis Council, R'Star, Hill Country CASA, Hill Country
Family Outreach, and Rids' Advocacy Place.
C. GAPS IN SERVICES
(1) There are gaps in accessibility to affordable services in
the areas of housing, medical/dental/optical care, family
and individual counseling, and quality childcare.
(2) The local District Attorneys Offices' Victims Assistance
Programs are not well organized or well publicized in our
community. At this time, victims in Rerr County receive few
assistance benefits from the Texas Victim Compensation Fund.
(3) Agencies in the community need to continue working together
on a regular basis to strengthen ties, share information and
maximize efficiency in services provided. Much progress has
been made but putting appropriate guidelines in place for
sharing information is slow going.
~5
d. ACTION STRATEGIES:
Short Term:
(1) Continued networking and training between various agencies
and service providers.
(2) Continued cooperation and training with law enforcement for
protection of victims.
(3) Cross training and updating of information for service
providers to give more efficient and effective services.
(4) Resource development whereby organizations work together to
leverage resources, whether financial or in-kind, so that
funding is maximized.
(5) Enhance program of assisting victims with benefits available
under the Victims' Compensation Act.
Long Term:
(1) Establish and fund community education programs focusing on
issues like family dynamics, at risk families and children,
domestic violence, sexual abuse, and advocacy services.
(2) Economic development to create additional employment
opportunities.
(3) Community commitment to development of affordable housing,
medical care and childcare.
16
3. PUBLIC SAFETY AND NARCOTICS LAW ENFORCEMENT
Kerr County along with it's towns and cities continues to experience
tremendous growth in population. With this growth comes an increase in
problems in regarding public safety, narcotics enforcement, and juvenile-related
crimes.
It seems there will always be a certain percentage of the populace
involved in drug trafficking and substance abuse and Kerr County has it's share
of these problems. Also, being in close proximity to San Antonio, Austin and
Mexico adds to the problem of availability of illegal drugs. The 216th Judicial
District Narcotics Task Force investigates approximately 150 cases annually in
Kerr County alone. These investigations include marijuana, cocaine, heroin,
LSD, methamphetamines and other drugs.
Juvenile crime and the handling of juvenile offenders remains a serious
problem for law enforcement in Kerr County. Neither the Kerr County Sheriffs
Department nor the Kerrville Police Department have personnel assigned as
juvenile officers. This creates a dire situation in that youthful offenders require
special handling and few officers have the training necessary to provide that
handling. These agencies are short-handed to begin with and the juvenile cases
unduly burden them to the point that some if not many, juveniles get lost in the
shuffle.
Another juvenile-related problem is the lack of some type of intervention
program for at-risk juveniles, particularly in the area of drug/substance abuse.
Police officers constantly come in contact with youth on the verge of becoming
"police problems" but have noway of dealing with them.
The Kerr County Constables provide valuable services in addition to their
normal duties throughout the county. Many times, the precinct constable arrives
on a scene prior to an assigned deputy or officer, and often handles cases on his
own without the assistance of other officers. While the County provides a budget
for each constable, it often does not allow for certain specialized equipment
which would aid in the performance of duties.
A. COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Law enforcement services for Kerr County, Center Point, Hunt and
Mountain Home are provided by the Sheriffs Department. Kerrville and Ingram
have their own Police Departments.
These three agencies participate in the Narcotics Task Force and sponsor
personnel assigned to it, thus providing the citizens of Kerr County with full-time
narcotics law enforcement at a reasonable, effective cost.
i~
Juvenile law enforcement is handled by the local agencies as the need
arises by assigning an on-duty officer or deputy, thus removing him from his
regular patrol duties.
1. Kerr County Sheriffs Department
2. Kerrville Police Department
3. Ingram City Marshal
4. Texas Department of Public Safety
5. 216th Judicial District Narcotics Task Force
6. Kerr County Constables
7. District Clerk's Office
8. DEA
9. ATF
10. U. S. Customs
11. U.S. Border Patrol
12. Military Resources
13. Alamo Area Council of Governments
14. AdulUJuvenile Probation Department
B. CURRENT COORDINATION
The Task Force Board of Governors include the Kerr County
Sheriff, Kerrville Chief of Police and the Ingram City Marshal who
assist with enforcement techniques and cost-effective solutions to
the narcotics problems.
The Task Force is aided by officers of the local agencies who
provide information and assistance with narcotics investigations.
The flow of information between all agencies is constant.
3. The 216th Judicial District Attorney is the Project Director of the
Task Force and provides oversight and coordination of activities.
4. Law enforcement officers must receive regular training to maintain
basic proficiency. This training is provided by the Regional
Academy and gives officers the opportunity to network and
exchange information and ideas with each other.
5. Juvenile enforcement and its inherent problems are handled by
each agency within their jurisdictions.
6. Precinct Constables operate on budgets provided by the County.
C. GAPS IN SERVICE
IR
Working with limited budget constraints, the Sheriff and Police
Departments are hard pressed to allocate personnel, funds and
equipment necessary to provide specialized, full-time narcotics
enforcement.
The Kerr County Sheriffs Department and Kerrville Police
Department lack funding and personnel necessary to maintain pace
with the increasing juvenile crime problem.
3. There is a lack of law enforcement-based intervention programs for
at-risk juveniles involved in substance abuse.
4. Constables are faced with a lack of equipment resources.
D. ACTION REQUIRED STRATEGIES
Continue to seek funding for and to participate in the operation of
the Narcotics Task Force.
2. Hire and train full-time juvenile officers for the Sheriff and Police
Departments.
Maintain communication and exchange of information between all
participants.
4. Investigate the formation of a law enforcement-based intervention
program for at-risk juveniles.
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