s.e.a.l security solutions pilot program reportiii. final disposition incidents are dei ned by their...
TRANSCRIPT
S.E.A.L Security Solutions
Pilot Program Reportas of Three Months ended March 31, 2017
Prepared by the Public Safety CommitteeUse Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
I. Background and Overview
What prompted Midtown to seek private security?
The Midtown community has experienced a variety of public safety issues over the years. However, the catalyst that helped
solidify the decision to hire a private security agency came during the summer of 2016 after 17 people at Herman Park were
hospitalized due to overdosing on Kush, a synthetic cannabinoid. In Midtown, Wheeler Station, and its surrounding area became
the hot spot for selling, buying, and smoking Kush. At the time, “the Houston Fire Department’s Station 8, downtown, responded
to more Kush-related calls than in any other month this year: 582 total, or about 19 Kush calls each day, according to paramedics
at the station. Half of the city paramedics’ 3,000 ambulance runs for drug overdoses since last September are attributed to Kush.
The calls are often concentrated in the same hot spots in downtown and Midtown (Houston Press, August 2016).” Furthermore,
the growing public safety concerns brought to the attention through public meetings regarding the homeless population under
US Highway 59 and aggressive panhandling became the center of attention that has resulted in City Council passing ordinances
banning homeless camps and panhandling.
Purpose of this report
To determine the impact of S.E.A.L. Security Solutions, LLC patrol activities in the Midtown community at the midpoint of
the six month pilot program. At this stage of development, the pilot program may solicit feedback from board members and
constituents to enhance, review, and revise the program for further development in the coming months to maintain and grow
relationships with S.E.A.L and the Midtown community.
Intended use
The intended use of this report is to foster transparency and provide an overview of S.E.A.L’s documented incidents in
Midtown for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Program description
In response to rising public safety concerns, Midtown Management District (MMD) began a six month private security pilot
program on December 28, 2016. The S.E.A.L private security mission is to, “dissuade, discourage, and prevent crime” within the
Midtown boundaries. S.E.A.L provides a hotline number (832-900-7700) available to Midtown residents and businesses. S.E.A.L
patrols hot spot areas, management owned parks, single and multi-family dwellings. Area Classifications: Midtown can be divided
into Four Quadrants and Main St. Corridor. Quadrant 1 is North of Elgin St. and West of Main St. Quadrant 2 is North of Elgin St.
and East of Main St. Quadrant 3 is South of Elgin St. and West of Main St. Quadrant 4 is South of Elgin St. and East of Main St.
Main St. Corridor is Main St. and 1000 Block of cross streets.
Per the contract S.E.A.L provides two Patrol Officers 40 hours per week each working in tandem along with their K-9 in
marked vehicles to patrol Midtown totaling 80 hours of service per week. S.E.A.L will provide a visible presence, and will deter,
observe, report, and arrest when necessary.
S.E.A.L attends monthly MMD Board meetings, Public Safety Committee meetings, participates in Safety Saturday and Coffee
with a Cop Park Programs. In addition, S.E.A.L has met at the request with Public Safety Committee Chairs on three occasions.
As the program matures, the program description will progress, is not meant to be static but an ever evolving program that
may change according to the needs of the midtown community.
Dataset and methods
The data in this report includes information provided by S.E.A.L’s incident reports for the months of January 2017, February
2017, and March 2017. Tableau data visualization software is used for compiling, analyzing and reporting.
Various methodologies have been incorporated including, but not limited to, incident counts, classifying incident and crime
type, incidents by time, and incidents by day of week, classifying final disposition, and hotspots as defined by highest count of
recorded incidents.
A certain level of judgment had to be exercised in creation of this report, specifically the categorizations of incident types,
crime types and final dispositions.
1
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
II. Incident and Crime Types
Over the 3 month period ended January 1 - March 31, 2017,
S.E.A.L Security addressed 344 incidents in Midtown.
90%, or approximately 9 out of 10 times S.E.A.L attended to
quality of life issues, which are primarily incidents of disorder.
The remaining 10% incidents being 8% 911 & Other, 2%
Property crime, and less than 1% Violent crime.
Incident type is further classifi ed by crime type.
Quality of Life incidents are described as disorder (trespassing,
sleeping/sitting in prohibited area, panhandling) and involving alcohol and/or drugs. 911 & Other primarily include medical
distress and non-incidents. Property incidents are defi ned as theft of property and violent includes robbery/attempted robbery.
The top two frequent crime types totaled 218 or 63% of total incidents, 135 incidents of loitering, sleeping/sitting and 83 incidents
of panhandling, soliciting, bothering/harassing customer. Trespassing, criminal trespassing was 35 or 10%. Alcohol, drugs
accounted for 28 or 8% and disturbance, fi ghting, suspicious activity was 22 or 6%, and public urination and two public lewdness
was seven or 2%. Non-incident type was 14 or 5% of total incidents and is described as a neutral incident, only information
obtained and attendance to meetings. For Property and Violent incident types refer to V. Signifi cant incidents.
Incident count peaked at 50 during the hour of 1pm, of which 30% loitering, sleeping/sitting followed by 24% panhandling,
soliciting, bothering/harassing customer. Incident count peaked at 78 on Wednesdays, of which 42% loitering, sleeping/sitting
followed by 23% panhandling, soliciting, bothering/harassing customer, combined total 65%. These crime types were also
relatively higher on Tuesdays and Thursdays, combined attributing 66% on both days.
S.E.A.L responded to four incidents between 12am-2am hours. In Quadrant 1, one involved a fi ghting dispute and one
panhandling. In Quadrant 2, one constituent contact’s request to patrol their home for suspicious activity and the other involving a
loiter with an open container.
2
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
Red - 142 or 41% of incidents are described as any
of the following: release or transport by EMS, issuance
of CTW(s), detained by S.E.A.L and subsequently
released by HPD, transported to the Sobering Center
upon Precinct 7 or HPD’s consent to transfer the
individual, or detained by S.E.A.L and subsequently
arrested by HPD. These incidents are categorized in
ranking 0-4 and detailed more specifi cally below.
Red Rank 0: Release/transport by EMS
Seven fi nal dispositions involved EMS, three transports to
the hospital, of which two described as being medical distress
one at a place of business (Fiesta) in Quadrant 3 and one on a
roadway and sidewalk in Quadrant 2 and the third suspected
kush at a place of business (McDonald’s) along Main St.
Corridor. Three were not transported by EMS, one in medical
distress and cleared by EMS at a place of business (Sears) in
Quadrant 3, one involved a disturbance and refused transport
(Metro PCS) in Quadrant 3, and one appeared passed out and
non-responsive but walked off (McDonald’s) along Main St.
Corridor. Lastly, status is unclear if transport occurred involving
one traffi c accident at a traffi c light on La Branch in Quadrant 4.
Red Rank 1: CTW issued
118 fi nal dispositions resulted in S.E.A.L issuing a CTW(s).
A CTW is best described as a written warning from a S.E.A.L
Offi cer. S.E.A.L records the individuals’ information along with a
photograph that is kept in fi le and may be referenced for future
use. 67 CTW related incidents in Quadrant 1 and 30 along
Main St. Corridor combined attributing 82%. CTW’s are further
discussed in IV. Hot Spots.
Red Rank 2: Release by HPD
Three fi nal dispositions S.E.A.L detained and subject was
released by HPD occurred in Quadrant 1. Two involved criminal
trespassing at the same place of business (CVS) with one
released on grounds HPD had not issued a CTW of their own
and one in which HPD’s request to the DA to accept charges
was rejected. One involved harassing a customer at Starbucks
and HPD gave a verbal warning.
Red Rank 3: Transport to Sobering Center
Six fi nal dispositions involved transport to the Sobering
Center, four consented by HPD and two by Precinct 7. Five
of the six were transported by the PIT (Public Intoxication
Transport) Team and one transported by Precinct 7. All seven
involved public intoxication by alcohol or drugs, of which two
specifi ed suspected kush. Two occurred at the same place of
business (Gulf Station) in Quadrant 4, two occurred in the
same place of business (McDonald’s) along Main St. Corridor,
one place of business (Texaco) in Quadrant 2 and (Club Cle)
along Main St. Corridor.
III. Final Disposition
Incidents are defi ned by their fi nal disposition, the fi nal stage of the S.E.A.L Offi cer and individual’s interaction. During
the three months ended March 31, 2017, 50% of all incidents complied indicated in green and yellow, while 41% resulted in
S.E.A.L’s issuance of a Criminal Trespass Warning (CTW) and/or transport, release, or arrest by law enforcement shown in red. The
remaining 9% is attributed to 7% constituent contact or information only in blue and 2% law enforcement offi cer assist in tan.
Green - 132 or 39% of incidents the individual was gone before arrival, gone on S.E.A.L’s arrival, or complied with the S.E.A.L
Offi cer through a verbal exchange.
Yellow - 39 or 11% of incidents the individual complied and was given a verbal criminal trespass warning.
Blue - 25 or 7% of incidents were constituent contacts or information only. This is comprised of S.E.A.L Offi cer(s) attending
meetings with MMD or constituents, S.E.A.L’s visual observations that were relevant, rendering aid, and responding to
constituent contacts of which involved any of the following:
disturbance, traffi c incident, follow up from attempted
robbery with deadly weapon, attempted breaking and
entering, and theft from vehicle.
Tan - six or 2% of incidents S.E.A.L assisted law
enforcement which may include some incidents where law
enforcement was on site prior to S.E.A.L’s arrival. This does
not include incidents S.E.A.L had with law enforcement that
resulted in release, transport, or arrest of an individual, refer
to red level fi nal dispositions. And these incidents did not
result in S.E.A.L issuing a CTW.
3
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
Rank 4: Arrest by HPD
Eight fi nal dispositions related to arrests by HPD
and their crime descriptions can be described as criminal
trespassing (repeated trespasser), trespassing, panhandling,
public urination, theft and drugs.
Two arrests at the same place of business in Quadrant 1 (Walgreens) one related to repeated panhandling whereby individual
was issued a CTW and did not leave and the other for criminal trespassing whereby individual had trespassed the prior night. Two
at the same place of business in Quadrant 1 (CVS) one by repeated trespasser suspected theft of beer and the other for criminal
trespassing repeatedly by S.E.A.L and once by HPD. One arrest at a business (Starbucks) in Quadrant 1 involved public urination
and refused to leave. One arrest at a business (Buff alo Wild Wings) in Quadrant 1 involved an individual previously issued a CTW
and would not comply as Offi cer struggled with the subject. One arrest at a business along Main St. Corridor (Club Cle) related to
drugs where HPD completed a fi eld test verifying crack. One arrest at a business (Fiesta) in Quadrant 3 related to theft.
IV. Hotspots
Hotspots are defi ned as areas that reported highest
count of incidents. The top 10 hotspots attributed 64% of all
incidents. Similarly, 75% of CTW related incidents and 78% of
all CTW’s issued occurred in the top 10.
When looking strictly at CTW related incidents, 122 distinct
times lead to a total of 154 CTW’s issued. The diff erence is
primarily due to 27 incidents involving more than one person
and in these cases multiple CTW’s were issued for a single
incident. Additionally, four incidents CTW(s) were issued and
classifi ed under red rank 2, 3, and 4 due to the nature of their
fi nal disposition.
The highest number of incidents in a single location was
37 at CVS in Quadrant 1. The highest quantity of CTW’s issued
was at Club Cle along Main St. Corridor was 39 stemming from
19 incidents, of which 15 times 2 or more CTW’s were issued
during a single incident. Notably, at 2200 block of Louisiana
71% of the time S.E.A.L addressed this location, it was a CTW
related incident. These incidents were trespassing, theft,
sleeping/sitting, panhandling, loitering, criminal trespassing
and bothering/harassing customer.
Top 10 Hotspots:
4
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
Alcohol, Drugs
(Hotspots only)
A concentration of alcohol or drugs at geographically
located around the vicinity of Hotspots 2 along Main St. Corridor
and 3 in Quadrant 2.
Panhandling, Soliciting, Bothering/Harassing Customer
(Hotspots only)
A concentration of panhandling incidents geographically
located at Hotspots 1 and 7 located in Quadrant 1 and along Main
St. Corridor, and at Hotspot 5 in Quadrant 1.
Loitering, Sleeping/Sitting compared to
Trespassing, Criminal Trespassing (Hotspots only)
A concentration of loitering is geographically located
around the vicinity of Hotspot 2 along Main St. Corridor and
Hotspot 3 in Quadrant 3. Incidents of trespassing and criminal
trespassing reported in Hotspots 1, 4, 5, and 6 in Quadrant 1
and Hotspot 8 in Quadrant 3/Main.
Disturbance, Fighting, Suspicious Activity
(Hotspots only)
Incidents of fi ghting and disturbance geographically
located at Hotspot 8 in Quadrant 3.
911 & Other
(Hotspots only)
Incidents of medical distress geographically located
around the vicinity of Hotspot 8 and 9 in Quadrant 3/Main.
A concentration of non-incidents reported in Hotspot 9 in
Quadrant 3 and Hotspot 10 along Main St. Corridor.
Property and Violent
(Hotspots only)
Incidents of theft reported geographically located around
the vicinity of Hotspot 8 and 9 in Quadrant 3/Main St. Corridor.
Concentration of Top 10 Hotspots by Crime Type:
5
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
V. Signifi cant Incidents
S.E.A.L attended to fi ve incidents of public urination, of which four resulted in issuance of CTW and one detained by S.E.A.L
and subsequently arrested by HPD. All occurred at a place of business, two located in Quadrant 1 (Starbucks and Japanese
Barbeque), two located along Main St. Corridor (Sears and Club Cle) and one in Quadrant 2 (Texaco).
S.E.A.L attended to two incidents of public lewdness in which both individuals were issued CTWs and both occurred at a place
of business (Club Cle) along Main St. Corridor.
S.E.A.L attended to one incident of attempted breaking and entering into an apartment complex front door in Quadrant
3, where the Offi cer escorted tenant to residence and did a sweep of the interior of the building to ensure all was secure.
Additionally, two incidents of robbery were addressed in Quadrant 2, one involved assisting law enforcement (Texaco) and one in
response to following up on an attempted robbery with deadly weapon at a residential town home.
S.E.A.L Offi cer determined a male stealing from the Dr. Pepper vending machines, Fiesta loss prevention found the young man
was fi red from Dr. Pepper months ago, but was still pretending to be a Dr. Pepper representative and was stealing the coins from
the machines. S.E.A.L. placed handcuff s on him and Precinct 7 Deputy was notifi ed and dispatched to the location, and switches
the handcuff s. The DA accepted charges and subject was transported and arrested.
VI. Interpretation
In II. Incidents and Crime Types, incident and crime types were evaluated and in III. Final Disposition, fi nal dispositions were
detailed further. Taking the approach from start to end we can begin to look at outcomes based on crime types.
Incidents of Quality of Life fi nal disposition for 310 found 54% complied and 43% resulted in the full range of red rankings
- release or transport by EMS, issuance of CTW(s), transport to Sobering Center, or detained by S.E.A.L and either released or
arrested by HPD. The remaining 3% was constituent contact/information only and assisting a law enforcement offi cer.
6
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
Incidents of 911 & Other fi nal disposition for 26 incidents found 65% was comprised of rendering aid, constituent contact, or
information only and 15% release or transport by EMS and 15% complied. The remaining was assisting law enforcement.
Incidents of Property and Violent fi nal disposition for 8 incidents found 38% constituent contact or information only and 50%
issuance of CTW(s) or arrest by HPD or Precinct 7. The remaining was assisting law enforcement.
7
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.
VII. Other Highlights
In efforts to introduce themselves and their services to the Midtown community, S.E.A.L has passed out signs and stickers to
businesses and business cards to Midtown constituents with their phone number at their own expense. Houston hosted Superbowl
LI in February 2017. In order to maintain patrol levels during this event, S.E.A.L added 8 additional Officers on February 5, 2017; plus
2 roving supervisors for 4 days at no charge to MMD.
VIII. Conclusions
The pilot program is currently in progress with three months remaining and this quarterly report offers insight into the public
safety issues the Midtown community is experiencing. The findings in this report will be used to assist in the direction and further
development of the pilot program during the remaining time period. While the discussion for private security may have been
in-part response to the Kush related issues, as of late, Kush incidents have, “decreased in general”, as stated by Sgt. Haynes. As
evidenced in this report, S.E.A.L is addressing other chronic public safety issues such as loitering, trespassing, and panhandling.
S.E.A.L has attended to 344 incidents, of which 41% were issued a Criminal Trespass Warning (CTW) and/or transport, release,
or arrest by law enforcement. And 50% of the time resulted in the individual complying, whereby S.E.A.L’s presence has functioned
as a visual crime deterrence or the Officer was able to deescalate the situation. This program is proving to be a crucial piece of the
public safety efforts initiated by the MMD and its impact, thus far, has improved the overall safety of our midtown community -
businesses, residents, and visitors.
The S.E.A.L Pilot Program will end approximately June 31, 2017.
IX. Recommendations
It should be noted, that the Public Safety Chair and Vice-Chair do not have a law enforcement background. However, in
analyzing the data there are opportunities for dialogue that may help promote solutions. For example, the highest count for
panhandling incidents at CVS in Quadrant 1, which offers the opportunity to promote the future anti-panhandling campaign signage
at that location or within its vicinity.
Another opportunity for dialogue with the local Club Cle. Business has a stoop and dumpster that attracts loitering,
trespassing, and unwanted behavior and is also closed during the day with less supervision on the property. Perhaps, S.E.A.L could
discuss possible options with the owner to remove or close-off the area to the public.
Additionally, the vicinity of Club Cle and Texaco had the highest count for drugs, alcohol with 6 and 5 incidents, respectively.
S.E.A.L could speak with the business owners and offer additional safety and security tips.
X. Future Considerations
As referenced in I. Background and Overview, Houston City Council recently passed the banning of panhandling on a median,
which is currently in effect. The ordinance banning homeless camps will go into effect on Friday May 12, 2017. Midtown has the
largest homeless encampment in the city. S.E.A.L may see an overall increase of incidents stemming from homeless people being
displaced due to the new ordinances.
Based on the findings, could the peak hour and days be the result of S.E.A.L Officers being on duty midweek? Why is
Greyhound bus station not a named location as would be expected due to high visibility?
S.E.A.L utilizes GPS tracking, how could this be added to future reporting?
8
Use Limitations Disclaimer: Prepared by volunteers and not Midtown Management District and made available
for general reference purposes. This report neither represents, nor warrants 100% data accuracy, or
completeness, nor will the author accept liability of any kind in conjunction with its use.