(HOUSTON, TX) – In an effort to strip Harris County from its first place position as the county with the most alcohol-related traffic fatalities, Sheriff Adrian Garcia, in partnership with The Beer Alliance of Texas and local law enforcement agencies, is launching Operation “Shared Responsibility”.
“Shared Responsibility” is a county-wide, multi-agency, proactive alcohol awareness initiative that includes public education and enforcement.
“Alcohol-related accidents are claiming more lives in Harris County than anywhere else in the country,” said Sheriff Adrian Garcia. “This is one first-place spot I don’t want us claiming anymore and so I’m asking the public and all of our community partners to share the responsibility to put an end to this body count.”
Beginning July 24, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) will intensify enforcement against drunk drivers and suspects in other alcohol-related offenses. The HCSO will work jointly with Constable Precincts 4 and 5, the Department of Public Safety, the Houston Police Department, the Jersey Village Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and the Tomball Police Department.
Specific, unannounced areas within the county will be targeted during the ongoing operation, which will launch in northwest Harris County.
“We endorse the heightened efforts of local law enforcement to help reduce alcohol misuse,” said Rick Donley, president of The Beer Alliance of Texas. “We as an industry remain committed to educating the public through the continued implementation of safety programs such as Alert Cab, a program designed to curb drunk driving by providing free cab rides home for adults 21 years of age and older, and We I.D., a program designed to assist retailers in responsible serving through various educational and point-of-sale materials,” he added.
According to data from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC), Harris County has the most DWI-related or alcohol-related fatalities per capita for the top ten largest populations in the United States.
