Our HOA pays for constables to the tune of over 100k to cover a small 600 home subdivision in west memorial. They are supposed to allot 80% of one officers time but we get at most 26 hours per month let alone per week. We never see them and I'm almost positive they are essentially stealing from us by not fulfilling their contract. We get nothing from the loser captain philips who is in charge. They don't give two craps. I will gladly pay another security company to work nights 100k a year to patrol if it's not the constables. A precinct next to ours got in hot water last year because an officer was giving away information on what vehicles were left unattended in the hood, essentially aiding felons.
Biggest Ripoff Ever: Constables
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50 Replies |
Last: 7 mo ago by grimace07
What hood? 77079?
Maybe a similar situation in Timbergrove. We pay for the constable patrol but I've never actually seen the constable driving through or parked in the neighborhood.
We pay for them in the Woodland Heights and they're very present and visible. Have an issue and call them and they're there very quickly. It's been a great program.
We have them here in Shepherd Park Plaza. See them all the time.
Marvin_Zindler said:
What hood? 77079?
Yes
I'm telling yall they are doing some legit stealing from neighborhoods. Yes they come when called but they don't patrol according to the contract we have with them. We added a neighborhood next to ours 18 months ago and for some reason when an owner from the added hood calls in for vacation watch, they're told they aren't in there service area. We were told downtown would "validate" those addresses 30 days after we signed the contract and here we are 18 months later. When I asked who I speak to about the contract, they don't even know a contact allegedly. They're completely inept.
We pay for them in Lazybrook as well. There's a lot of homeless foot traffic along 18th St but I've never seen them encroach upon the neighborhood or try and set up an encampment. My assumption was any additional constable patrols that occur take place while I'm at work or sleeping. Whatever's going on it seems to be working and I have nothing to complain about but to be fair I am new to the neighborhood.
Sounds like this is something you should address at your next HOA meeting.
Unfortunately I help manage the HOA contracts and this is a hot button issue for us. Last year either the same or a nearby precinct was caught aiding a theft ring by telling thieves about nice unattended vehicles. Who knows what's happening honestly…every time I actually have seen a constable, they're posted up playing a game on their phone.
The most egregious part about this is we have no contact with anyone downtown with the county that manages them. We have no recourse.
We're in Nottingham Forest VIII and the constable patrol has been noticeably more active in the past week.
Have you priced out private security companies?
I had this same thing come up in Westbury, where the pretend HOA tries to guilt us into paying towards the Constables.
Since no one can justify what they are doing, I refuse to contribute towards them.
I've asked whether they've priced out private security, and the excuse is "they can't arrest people and the constable can" but IMO, these groups are more about "deterrence through presence" than actively arresting people.
I had this same thing come up in Westbury, where the pretend HOA tries to guilt us into paying towards the Constables.
Since no one can justify what they are doing, I refuse to contribute towards them.
I've asked whether they've priced out private security, and the excuse is "they can't arrest people and the constable can" but IMO, these groups are more about "deterrence through presence" than actively arresting people.
HC Constable deputy = reparations jobs program
That's what you're paying for. Do you want a 5 minute response time or 2-3 hrs from HPD?Quote:
Yes they come when called but
Are you sure that Timbergrove pays for constables? The dues are voluntary and $40 per home in a 420 home neighborhood (east side) won't cover much.P.H. Dexippus said:
Maybe a similar situation in Timbergrove. We pay for the constable patrol but I've never actually seen the constable driving through or parked in the neighborhood.
I have heard that the Constables show up way faster than HPD, but HPD showed up quickly when a burglar set my alarm off & a neighbor called on my housewarming party.
My neighborhood has a contract with the constable as well. We received a monthly report with all activity in the neighborhood including contract checks when they entered or exited the neighborhood. If you don't get those, I would ask for that for audit purposes.
I also viewed the constables as a response force. They can't be everywhere all at once, but had an average response time of 3 mins. They were even there within 10 mins when I reported an abandoned car on my street. If we had to rely on the sheriff it'd be significantly longer response times due to the large area they staff.
I also viewed the constables as a response force. They can't be everywhere all at once, but had an average response time of 3 mins. They were even there within 10 mins when I reported an abandoned car on my street. If we had to rely on the sheriff it'd be significantly longer response times due to the large area they staff.
Our hood has one of the private security programs. We don't pay into it but I see them all the time.
Funniest thing to me is when people have them check their house because they're out of town. They park their car right inf front of the house, get out, walk around the house with their dog to check doors, etc. I mean seems like all smart things to do. But doesn't take a rocket scientist for someone driving by and seeing this to realize that person is out of town.....
Funniest thing to me is when people have them check their house because they're out of town. They park their car right inf front of the house, get out, walk around the house with their dog to check doors, etc. I mean seems like all smart things to do. But doesn't take a rocket scientist for someone driving by and seeing this to realize that person is out of town.....
Absolutely certain. It is a separate $310 fee. Participating residents get a green badge yard sign.drumboy said:Are you sure that Timbergrove pays for constables? The dues are voluntary and $40 per home in a 420 home neighborhood (east side) won't cover much.P.H. Dexippus said:
Maybe a similar situation in Timbergrove. We pay for the constable patrol but I've never actually seen the constable driving through or parked in the neighborhood.
I have heard that the Constables show up way faster than HPD, but HPD showed up quickly when a burglar set my alarm off & a neighbor called on my housewarming party.
They send out a monthly activity report. The April report reflects 135 community checks/contacts during the month.
https://mailchi.mp/timbergrove/constable-patrol-subscriber-update-6421763?e=2193adce8d
https://www.timbergrove.org/security-patrols
https://tmcc-486320.square.site/product/2024-constable-patrol-subscription/16
Our location in the neighborhood is on the southwest side near the roundabout and the new apartment/condo developments. We have easily seen a 3x increase year-over-year in vehicle and foot traffic on our street (not to mention the people flying down Minimax). But I never see a constable.
Sounds like you need someone new managing the contractsjustsomeguy said:
Unfortunately I help manage the HOA contracts and this is a hot button issue for us. Last year either the same or a nearby precinct was caught aiding a theft ring by telling thieves about nice unattended vehicles. Who knows what's happening honestly…every time I actually have seen a constable, they're posted up playing a game on their phone.
Yep.Panama Red said:Sounds like you need someone new managing the contractsjustsomeguy said:
Unfortunately I help manage the HOA contracts and this is a hot button issue for us. Last year either the same or a nearby precinct was caught aiding a theft ring by telling thieves about nice unattended vehicles. Who knows what's happening honestly…every time I actually have seen a constable, they're posted up playing a game on their phone.
As mentione above, our exerience in SPP couldn't be any different. Worth every penny. We have people who make compaints about not seeing them as well. Then I usually tell them where they were sitting at various times when "they haven't seen them all week". Problem is rarely the constables.
And to the person who thinks a vacation check leads to more break ins, no crook with a brain who knows about the vacation checks is going to operate in a neighborhood with constable actively. Not worth getting caught. Much easier to just go to the next neighborhood.
ITL the loop problems are constables are great in Westbury.
I think we have one and a half now. They attend our monthly HOA meetings and provide a monthly update. Sit inside our elementary school zone in mornings and afternoons. Constantly cruising the hood. Ours even knocked on my front door about midnight one night cause our garage door was open. We all have a direct line to their cell phone if needed. They've been effective and present for us. FWIW.
We switched from constables to SEAL. They're good about chasing solicitors out of the neighborhood and have reduced the number of car break-ins at night. They are much more present in the nieghborhood. Constables used to just sit at one stop sign in the neighborhood and write tickets all day. Private company patrols the entire neighborhood. When ever I have my garage open because I'm mowing, they always slow-roll by to see if anything looks off. We've been happy with SEAL. There are more people running stop signs though.
We're in 77079 as well and rarely see the Constables. Some, but not much. I think at best they provide a quicker response time to incidents but definitely wish they had more of a visible presence. I have seen an increase of Constable presence in Terry Hershey with their ATV's over the last couple of weeks, which is new.
OP is OTB.Cougar11 said:
ITL the loop problems are constables are great in Westbury.
Ah, didn't know about this, but that's cool.P.H. Dexippus said:Absolutely certain. It is a separate $310 fee. Participating residents get a green badge yard sign.drumboy said:Are you sure that Timbergrove pays for constables? The dues are voluntary and $40 per home in a 420 home neighborhood (east side) won't cover much.P.H. Dexippus said:
Maybe a similar situation in Timbergrove. We pay for the constable patrol but I've never actually seen the constable driving through or parked in the neighborhood.
I have heard that the Constables show up way faster than HPD, but HPD showed up quickly when a burglar set my alarm off & a neighbor called on my housewarming party.
They send out a monthly activity report. The April report reflects 135 community checks/contacts during the month.
https://mailchi.mp/timbergrove/constable-patrol-subscriber-update-6421763?e=2193adce8d
https://www.timbergrove.org/security-patrols
https://tmcc-486320.square.site/product/2024-constable-patrol-subscription/16
Our location in the neighborhood is on the southwest side near the roundabout and the new apartment/condo developments. We have easily seen a 3x increase year-over-year in vehicle and foot traffic on our street (not to mention the people flying down Minimax). But I never see a constable.
You're in an area with lots of stuff popping up and we have several friends near you.
When is the Urban Air ever going to open?!
AgLiving06 said:
Have you priced out private security companies?
I had this same thing come up in Westbury, where the pretend HOA tries to guilt us into paying towards the Constables.
Since no one can justify what they are doing, I refuse to contribute towards them.
I've asked whether they've priced out private security, and the excuse is "they can't arrest people and the constable can" but IMO, these groups are more about "deterrence through presence" than actively arresting people.
I tangibly see the constables regularly, have seen their response to calls and holiday patrols.
My biggest issue is that the vast majority of the constable cost is subsidized by 2 sections that have mandatory fees while the rest of westbury barely pays anything and reaps the benefits. So when costs go up, mandatory fees go up. The rest of Westbury keeps complaining about a basically free service being useless.
I intend to push hard on the WCC this year to explain this logic or limit constable service to the mandatory fees while sections of they are going to continue to raise fees annually.
I've worked for some companies that used SEAL and always had a great experience with them as well.
When I was growing up, the neighborhood contracted with HCSO for security. There were 2 deputies on the contract, and there was always one driving around.
Just quit being a poor and move to memorial villages.....never driven through there and not seen a cop.
We used to have Constables but never saw them and they got too expensive.
Went with SEALS, and they were good. SEALS increased and HOA then went with Armed Security on Bikes (but they're in cars and Tahoes).
I see them all the time (unmarked vehicle with decals) but some people in the neighborhood still complain that they don't see them. They came to the house before HPD when I called 911 about a thief one late night.
Went with SEALS, and they were good. SEALS increased and HOA then went with Armed Security on Bikes (but they're in cars and Tahoes).
I see them all the time (unmarked vehicle with decals) but some people in the neighborhood still complain that they don't see them. They came to the house before HPD when I called 911 about a thief one late night.
HomeSmart Houston
Mobile: 713.775.5997
Email: Kevin@KevinWillRealty.com
Mobile: 713.775.5997
Email: Kevin@KevinWillRealty.com
AgLiving06 said:
Have you priced out private security companies?
I had this same thing come up in Westbury, where the pretend HOA tries to guilt us into paying towards the Constables.
Since no one can justify what they are doing, I refuse to contribute towards them.
I've asked whether they've priced out private security, and the excuse is "they can't arrest people and the constable can" but IMO, these groups are more about "deterrence through presence" than actively arresting people.
Yes I have. Private security is about half the cost. Maybe a fraction more. However as stated…they too are useless. With securitas or seal, you might as well blow a whistle at them and point a flashlight. Every thief knows they can't do squat and are generally aloof. We used seal in oak forest and my truck was rifled through 7 times in 2 years with an atv stolen. Never did they steal my costas though.
Aggie71013 said:
My neighborhood has a contract with the constable as well. We received a monthly report with all activity in the neighborhood including contract checks when they entered or exited the neighborhood. If you don't get those, I would ask for that for audit purposes.
I also viewed the constables as a response force. They can't be everywhere all at once, but had an average response time of 3 mins. They were even there within 10 mins when I reported an abandoned car on my street. If we had to rely on the sheriff it'd be significantly longer response times due to the large area they staff.
Oh I know all about those bogus reports. Those contract checks where when you analyze them, you realize just how little time they are spending in your neighborhood. Many don't fill in their locations accurately.
P.H. Dexippus said:Absolutely certain. It is a separate $310 fee. Participating residents get a green badge yard sign.drumboy said:Are you sure that Timbergrove pays for constables? The dues are voluntary and $40 per home in a 420 home neighborhood (east side) won't cover much.P.H. Dexippus said:
Maybe a similar situation in Timbergrove. We pay for the constable patrol but I've never actually seen the constable driving through or parked in the neighborhood.
I have heard that the Constables show up way faster than HPD, but HPD showed up quickly when a burglar set my alarm off & a neighbor called on my housewarming party.
They send out a monthly activity report. The April report reflects 135 community checks/contacts during the month.
https://mailchi.mp/timbergrove/constable-patrol-subscriber-update-6421763?e=2193adce8d
https://www.timbergrove.org/security-patrols
https://tmcc-486320.square.site/product/2024-constable-patrol-subscription/16
Our location in the neighborhood is on the southwest side near the roundabout and the new apartment/condo developments. We have easily seen a 3x increase year-over-year in vehicle and foot traffic on our street (not to mention the people flying down Minimax). But I never see a constable.
We're paying 100k and we don't get anything but a pdf of contract checks and incident reports.
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