The Cost of Crime in Chambers County...
By Gloria Roemer
As stated in the 2023 budget chart presented by Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia and County Auditor Aaron Thomas last week, the total 2023 budget of $96.5 million is a 6.2% decrease of the total 2022 budget. But, despite the decrease in the total budget, funding expenses for safety and law enforcement have gone up 10%.
The Seabreeze Beacon spoke with Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne in an exclusive interview to discuss the funding increase for law enforcement in the County.
“First thing to consider,” said Hawthorne, “is that with the growth of industry in the County, particularly, the west side, higher paying jobs are more available, so more people are moving in. And with high paying jobs comes more disposable income available to the citizens. And, when people are making more money, they are purchasing more of what I call “luxury toys” with that disposable income. These are smart TVs, ATVs, Rangers, boats, jet skis, trailers, campers, expensive tools, etc., perfect targets for thieves.” “I want to emphasize though that fewer of the robberies and thefts committed are by our citizens. The perpetrators are coming over to Chambers County from Harris County.”
A report from the West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation (WCCEDF) confirmed Hawthorne’s remarks. The WCCEDF stated that Chambers County is “one of the richest counties in the state”. The post COVID-19 unemployment rate holds steady at less than 4.4%. B.J. Simon, President of the WCCEDF, reported that the labor force for persons between the age of 25-54 is 80%. The median household income in the County is $91K with a per capita income of $35K.
Commissioners Court approved 22 new employees for the Sheriff’s office for 2023 which include new deputies, dispatchers, jailers, and a community supervisor. “I did not ask for that many in the budget I presented,” said Hawthorne. “Kudos to the Commissioners as they are listening to the constituents who are asking for more patrol deputies. They approved funding for nine more patrol deputies with two being paid for by industry to particularly patrol the west side industrial complex. The east side should have three new deputies and the west side four.” Hawthorne stated that an entry level deputy 10 years ago was paid about $30,000/year and a entry level deputy hired today will earn about $60,000/year. “I am a bit more particular about the quality of deputies I hire for my department than previous sheriffs,” added Hawthorne. “All my deputies must take polygraph tests and we have a very strict drug testing program. Also, there is a collective bargaining agreement for deputies, sergeants, jailers, and jail supervisors. And to make matters more difficult, currently, there is a nationwide shortage of persons who are interested in being jailers and/or deputies.”
When Hawthorne took office 10 years ago, the sheriff’s office had 76 employees and by the end of 2023, the department will have 145 employees. According to the adopted 2023 budget which is posted on the county website under the Financial Transparency tab, the total budget for Safety and Law Enforcement is $19,522,619.00. So, of the $60.7 million General Fund, 32% is allocated for safety and law enforcement.
Next week: The cost of the new jail and justice center. No one knows for sure what the final costs will be but you can be sure it will be well over $120 million.
