St. Rep. Al Edwards Seeks Solutions to Crime Problems in Houston

St. Rep. Al Edwards Seeks Solutions to Crime Problems in Houston
"Al Edwards Crime Fighter for District 146"
Passes Important Legislation to Help Crime Victims & Monitor Sex Offenders

Today, Houston faces an unfortunate increase in burglaries and thefts. In fact from August 2008 to August 2009, burglaries and thefts have increased by 8.1% city-wide in Houston. In light of such unsettling news, Rep. Al Edwards plans to meet with HPD Chief Harold Hurtt and the Mayor to request more uniformed police patrolling the streets in District 146 to prevent more crimes. In order to provide a long lasting solution to this problem, Rep. Al Edwards plans to propose legislation next session which would require certain specified levels of private security at shopping mall locations based on the amount of the shops in order to promote better safety.

Also reported has been an increase in violent crimes in Houston. Helping victims of violent crime to receive treatment, counseling or other assistance even when they do not have the financial resources to get this help is a critical necessity. In the recently concluded session, the Texas Legislature addressed this very issue. SB 1377 sponsored in the House of Representatives by Rep. Al Edwards was passed to ensure that the Crime Victims Compensation Fund remains a solvent source of funds to provide victims of crime financial assistance to help get their lives back in order. This bill provides a mechanism so that excess funds are annually shifted from the Auxiliary Fund to the main Crime Victims Compensation Fund to ensure long-term solvency. This great bill will ensure that payments to victims for costs incurred as a result of a crime committed such as medical bills or counseling are available to be made. In recent years the Crime Victims Compensation Fund had been in danger of insolvency, with this bill's passage in the future this will no longer be the case.

Equally crucial was the passage of HB 2465 which now will require prosecutors to take a deposition of an elderly or disabled person who is the alleged victim of, or witness to a crime no later than 60 days after charges have been filed. This will enable elderly or disabled persons to commit their accounts on the record before they can become hazy and help to ensure that those who commit these crimes are held accountable for their actions.

During this session particular progress was made in protecting our citizens from the threat of sex offenders. Significant legislation that was successfully passed includes HB 2153 by Representative Edwards which requires sex offenders who claim to be homeless to physically check-in to law enforcement authorities once every 30 days. Also, SB 689 by Senator Shapiro gives law enforcement authorities and social networking websites additional information to track sex offenders online by requiring them to provide e-mail addresses, cell phone numbers, and online usernames to state authorities.

For more information on the assistance for victims of violent crime from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, please contact the Attorney General's Office at 1-800-983-9933.