East County Town Hall answers questions from residents
Topics included law enforcement, border security, road expansions, and Precinct 4 improvement projects
Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray at the East Montgomery County Town Hall
August 29, 2023 | New Caney, TX
The Montgomery County Republican Party held the first in a series of Town Hall meetings on August 24 in New Caney. The meeting focused on public safety, the Colony Ridge settlement (the Colonias) in Liberty County that borders East Montgomery County, and other law enforcement issues. Other Precinct 4 topics also were addressed.
Border Security and Law Enforcement
Town Hall panelists included Montgomery County Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray, Captain Melvin Franklin of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Barry Welch of the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, and SFC (RET) Walter West II of Texas Fully Loaded.
Walter West provided an update on border security. West has more than 10 years direct border experience, currently serving as Chief of Legislative Affairs and Government Contractor with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Lead Consultant to Texas Transnational Trafficking Task Force. He encouraged Montgomery County to declare a border invasion, stating:
“Counties that declare an invasion are able to receive grant monies from the state, which helps with additional law enforcement. With cartels operating in Texas, that’s something we all need to be concerned about. The law enforcement in our county is doing a wonderful job, but we’re getting overflow from Houston, which is one of the largest sex trafficking hubs in this hemisphere.”
Captain Franklin and Chief Deputy Welch spoke about efforts to curb law enforcement issues relating to the border crisis and neighboring Harris County, including narcotics and human trafficking, which can also include the forced labor of those transported against their will.
“We border Houston and there is no imaginary gate that keeps criminals from coming over here,” said Captain Franklin. “Many of the people we see in our county are on their way to other parts of the country. Sheriff Rand Henderson has taken steps to stay in front of the problem. You can find details in the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, which is the first of its kind for a law enforcement agency.”
“A lot of the problems we see out here are transit population, people just driving through,” said Captain Franklin. “Many DPS troopers have been sent to the border, so that puts more pressure on us locally. Our officers are making up the difference to make our streets safer.”
Government Overreach
Several attendees expressed concern about federal government overreach, including the COVID narrative and restrictions that are beginning to resurface. Captain Franklin explained that “Sheriff Henderson is a Constitutional Sheriff. Our office will not enforce any mandates that are unconstitutional, including curfews and shutdowns.”
“We also will not enforce unconstitutional mandates,” said Chief Deputy Welch.
Chief Deputy Welch encouraged attendees to look into Citizen’s Academy classes offered by the Montgomery County Constable’s Office and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. The sessions provide residents with an understanding of how their local law enforcement and county government work.
Additional Precinct 4 Topics
Commissioner Gray addressed additional questions relating to Precinct 4, including working with Sheriff Henderson’s office to reinstate the inmate litter cleanup program and plans for a more central location for recycling. He is working with TXDOT to reallocate unused funds to finance road projects in Precinct 4.
“Our area is seeing huge growth,” Commissioner Gray explained. “We’re working to make sure developers in the area are doing so responsibly. We just completed the first Precinct 4 full drainage study to identify flood-prone hot spots and develop maintenance-level projects to improve drainage at key locations throughout the precinct and we’re applying for grants for flood control.”
Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
In addition to asking questions during the Town Hall, attendees were given the opportunity to meet the panelists in a meet-and-greet setting before and after the Town Hall meeting. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet their Precinct Chairs and sit with other members of their precinct.
Watch the calendar for the next Town Hall meeting, being planned for late September. Location and topics to be announced.
