Crime Watch News

It is with great sadness along with a great sense of accomplishment that I write this column as it will be my last. After serving this community for 13 years, it is time that I move on to another phase in my career. When I first entered the patrol bureau in late 1995, the District 4 commander put me in Chimney Hill and told me to take care of the gang problem. To that end, the 25th Chapter of the Latin Kings can no longer claim this subdivision as theirs. Their former leader, Refuggio Fernandez, aka King Joker, is currently doing 19 and a half years in federal prison for participating in a continuing criminal enterprise along with over two dozen other gang members from Texas to Illinois. A second round of federal indictments from the original investigation is currently under way. That does not include the six that were deported as illegals/gang members nor the ones that are currently being charged or have been convicted in state courts.

Yes, we still have a few bangers that think this is the life, but as one is finding out now, it’s not all it’s made out to be. We had one take a gun to school and in the old days, given his lack of a criminal record, would have probably gotten probation. Right now the state is looking to give him two years in prison at the age of 17-years-old and that’s after I tried to intercede on his behalf. We are not playing with gang members anymore and it truly sucks to be one at this time. I had a lieutenant tell me several years ago that I could not stay in Chimney Hill forever. When we opened District 5 and this subdivision was put in that district, I transferred, even though I live in District 4, just to stay in the subdivision and I almost made it to retirement in this one assignment.

As you all know, we have a new sheriff and the gang issue is one that is at the top of his list, therefore, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is starting a Gang Suppression Unit and I will be transferred to it as an investigator at the end of April. I do go out on a high note though. Last week, while walking into the District 4 substation, one of my former female gang members came running up to me and gave me one of several hugs. She stated that I had helped turn her life around, was going to college and wanted to be just like me. She showed me her tattoos that she is already enrolled to get removed at no cost and could not stop talking about how great life is now that she is no longer banging. Certainly I would like to take credit for her conversion, but I only pointed the way. As with anything, nothing can be accomplished by anyone, without them wanting to do it. It was nice that she did this in front of several other deputies though. I would like to think that I impacted more than just this one life in a good way as I know I definitely impacted many other lives in a negative way, however, that was their choice, not mine.
I have gotten to know many of you in the community on a personal basis and I will miss many of you, however, my phone number will not change and you are still free to call me at any time about anything. I will not be working the area though, so if you need a deputy, it’s still 911 in an emergency and 713-221-6000 when it’s not an emergency. Although as a nation we are currently suffering some tough economic times, I know that most of us will make it through without too much difficulty as most of you are law abiding, morally upright people that I have come to love and respect over the years. It has been my privilege to serve as your community deputy and I wish all of you much luck in the future.

-Officer Mook