Crime in Houston

Houston is a big city with lots of people, and like many large cities, it has seen its share of serious crimes over the years. In 2005, Houston’s number of murders put it in the middle among big U.S. cities. But by 2010, the number of murders had gone down, even though the city had grown. Unfortunately, the number of murders started to rise again around 2020.

The city has also been a center for illegal activities, such as moving harmful substances across borders and other unsafe actions that hurt people. Because of its size and location near places where these illegal activities often start, Houston has had to deal with these challenges.

In the early 1970s, Houston and nearby towns were shocked by a series of terrible crimes that were among the worst in American history at the time. Many police groups work in the area to help keep everyone safe, with over 60 different agencies working on different kinds of safety jobs.

Gangs

See also: Gangs in the United States

Houston has many street gangs, including groups that started in Los Angeles like the Crips and Bloods, as well as gangs from Chicago. Some of the largest gangs in Houston are the Crips, Piru's, Gangster Disciples, and Black Disciples. There are also Latino gangs such as Southwest Cholos, Brown Pride, La Tercera Crips, La Primea, MS-13, and Puro Tango Blast. In 2008, a spokesperson from the Houston Police Department mentioned that there are also white gangs in Houston, including biker and prison groups, but noted that there are no mostly white groups like the Bloods. Some mostly black gangs have had a few white members. That same year, the Houston Press reported on a white street gang in Bacliff in Galveston County.

Criminal legal system

The county courts handle criminal cases under Texas law, while the City of Houston courts do not deal with criminal matters.

The Harris County, Texas jails in Downtown Houston hold people who are waiting for their trial or who have been charged with smaller crimes under Texas law.

The Federal Detention Center, Houston holds people who are waiting for their trial or serving short sentences under federal law.

Before 1923, Harris County was responsible for carrying out punishments for people found guilty of crimes. The first punishment in Houston happened in public at Founder's Cemetery in the Fourth Ward in 1853. Later, punishments took place in jail buildings. In 1923, the state of Texas began handling all punishments across the whole state.