HOUSTON, TX – Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz, Jr., addressed a roll call of law enforcement officers Friday night to launch a multi-agency initiative targeting impaired drivers during the remainder of the holiday season. The roll call took place at 9 p.m. at the Houston Police Officers’ Union building at 1600 State Street.
According to Chief Diaz, the initiative brings together resources from the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), local constables, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The collaborative effort aims to prevent fatalities caused by impaired driving, whether due to alcohol, substance abuse, or medications.
“So we’re here to make sure that the community [is] safe and the people are, recognizing that there’s a lot of police on the roads so they can drive a little safer, make better decisions, and have plans,” Chief Diaz said. “You know, we often have a lot of plans to get dressed, what to wear, what shoes to wear, what makeup to wear, what hat to wear, what shirt. But the first plan should be, how am I going to get home safely? Everything else should follow after.”
Chief Diaz emphasized the importance of the initiative, citing 33 fatal crashes involving impaired drivers in Houston this year. “I’m hoping that we can prevent fatality crashes this holiday season. We are up to 33 fatality accidents here today. We’re trying to stop it there and have the rest of the year without a fatality associated with it when alcohol’s involved,” he said.
