Civilian traffic force could help in a jam

[Double L]

May 19, 2006, 1:02PM

Civilian traffic force could help in a jam

Mayor proposes training a team to assist police with easing congestion, clearing wrecks

By ROBERT CROWE

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Looking for ways to clear up congestion and free the city's police officers to fight crime, Mayor Bill White has proposed training a group of civilian enforcers to assist with Houston's daily traffic jams and accidents.

Still in its formative stages, there are no real plans on the table for the public to review. But White's proposal

[Trophy Property]

I saw that earlier. I do not think this is the best idea White's administration has ever had. For some reason the first thing that pops in my head is vigilanteism (sp). Giving civilians this power seems scary to me. Anyone else agree with me?

[brijonmang]

I dont know how much harm they can cause if they are just directing traffic. Keeping their tasks and responsibilities to a minimum level is what im reading from this and what I saw on the news. I just dont know how much of a help it will be...40 civilians to cover alllll of Houston? Godspeed

[musicman]

Just put me on the same overtime program that the police get and I know i'll be happy.

We can just put the civilians under the u-turn areas of our feeder roads and they can write tickets freeing up the officers to go to shipley's during lunch too.

White is NOT right.

[Heights2Bastrop]

We want to put together these quick response teams that will go out and direct traffic, remove a vehicle and in some cases investigate minor accidents

This would be a good job for those worthless, good-for-nothing METRO bus cops to do!

[musicman]

This would be a good job for those worthless, good-for-nothing METRO bus cops to do!

They are too busy investigating bus wrecks and light rail wrecks.

[Jeebus]

I haven't read anything about the program, but I doubt HPD will just "swear-in" civilians so they can go perform non-patrol functions without direct supervision. I think the plan is to supplement the traffic division with civilians so that those officers who were "secondaries" on scenes & events are now freed up to perform patrol funtions.

Edited May 20, 2006 by Jeebus

[RedScare]

The term "civilian" is not used in the traditional sense, but rather in the sense that these employees would not be certified peace officers. Therefore, they could be trained quicker, paid less, and out on the street faster. It would be similar to the parking meter employees, who also are not certified peace officers. Since they are not peace officers, they would not be carrying weapons or tasering suspects. They would handle some of the more mundane tasks that don't require an actual certified peace officer.

[Double L]

This is a good plan although small. I think the METRO Police should do this but they are too small.

I say do it.

[TheNiche]

The term "civilian" is not used in the traditional sense, but rather in the sense that these employees would not be certified peace officers. Therefore, they could be trained quicker, paid less, and out on the street faster. It would be similar to the parking meter employees, who also are not certified peace officers. Since they are not peace officers, they would not be carrying weapons or tasering suspects. They would handle some of the more mundane tasks that don't require an actual certified peace officer.

I like your assessment. In fact, the Harris County Sheriff's Department already has a program very similar that also employs 'civilians' on a 20-hour per month volunteer basis. Those folks go out and help the Sheriffs search for bodies and such in unincorporated parts of the county.