The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Office confirms it is launching an internal audit following a KHOU 11 I-Team investigation into shortchanging neighborhoods on patrol time.
The I-Team examined six months of records in 2015, which showed 27 municipal utility districts and homeowners associations were owed patrol days.
In monthly reports, Precinct 4 was telling communities that deputies were working full days. But daily time sheets showed those deputies were only working half days in those communities. In some cases, they were working only one or two hours, but the department was still counting those as full shifts.
"I'm not getting my money's worth," said homeowner Ed Harris, who lives in MUD #43, which contracts with the Precinct 4 Constable Office.
"I don't appreciate it," Harris said.
The Harris County Attorney's Office said it will review the internal audit by the Precinct 4 Constable Office.
"We are assisting Constable Precinct 4 in a review of all the documents," said First Assistant County Attorney Robert Soard. "You have to look at these things to make sure people are getting what they think they're getting, make sure the government is doing its job."
Precinct 4 Assistant Chief Deputy Donald Steward confirmed the audit will include all 86 patrol contracts in Precinct 4, and will cover all of 2015. It will examine daily time sheets to identify when, where and how much homeowners were shortchanged.
"I mean that's what makes us vulnerable; they want to come after us because they don't see cops out here," said homeowner Sallie Dixon.
Dixon became a burglary victim when thieves stole her TV during a short trip to the store. She said less police presence means more risk for crime.
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle said homeowners deserve better. He said an internal audit and review by the Harris County Attorney's Office is a step in the right direction.
"You've got to know where your folks are," Cagle said. "You are in the business of providing a service, and the constituents are the ones that deserve to get our best."
Assistant Chief Deputy Steward said he expects the audit to take three to four weeks. When it's complete, he said Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman will announce what the audit uncovered.
Have a story? Contact the KHOU 11 I-Team at iteam@khou.com.
