by David Monroe
News ReporterThe three Democrats running in Tuesday's primary for Harris County Sheriff say the continued reduction of crime is the focal point of their campaigns.
"Crime trends may be heading downward in some categories, but now is not the time for reducing crime-fighting forces," said Art Contreras, assistant police chief for the City of Houston.
Contreras said he proposes bringing the office of sheriff closer to the community by placing more deputies on the streets who are equipped with modern technology.
He also called for increased law-enforcement cooperation and better management of the County Jail System.
Contreras said that one of the problems with the current Sheriff's office is that its fingerprinting computer cannot "speak" to the City of Houston's fingerprinting computer, even though 80 percent of county prisoners are apprehended by City of Houston officers.
"The public is endangered when a flawed record system denies police officers and investigators access to information on a criminal's career past and outstanding warrants," he said.
Contreras also contended that the duplicate bookings of inmates at county facilities and the City of Houston is an area that can be consolidated to save the county time and money.
"We can drastically cut back on the employee hours spent in receiving suspects into custody," Contreras said. "This means more efficient use of fingerprint technicians, doctors, nurses, magistrates, clerks and jailers."
Juvenile crime is at the top of the list for the chief of police for Houston Independent School District, Bruce Marquis.
"I'll fight crime in Harris County with a three-prong attack: prevention, intervention and enforcement," Marquis said.
Prevention will come in the form of before-and-after-school programs, drug education and conflict resolution, he said.
"I will use my experience as a former FBI agent and security manager for the Los Angeles Olympics to address these problems," Marquis said.
E.T. Merritt Jr., a pipe fitter, said bringing police and community closer together and controlling gangs and drive-by shootings is his solution for curbing crime.
Merritt said he will set up offices around the county where citizens can easily register complaints and get law-enforcement action.
He said his rapport with deputies would enhance their performance and lead to better morale within the department.