Ed Gonzalez - Harris County Sheriff Joins Houston's Morning News

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, maybe there won't be a law breaking going on
in Harris County on Saturday. Maybe we'll just have a
peaceful protest. I'm sure that's what our next guest is
hoping for anyway. Harris County Sheriff at Gonzalez Joints.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
This Good morning, Sheriff, Hey, good morning, thanks for having me.

Speaker 1 (00:13):
You bet, I don't know if you heard the comments
by the Levard County Sheriff. I'm pretty sure that you're
not making any threats like that. What what are the
preparations like, what do you what in your heart of
hearts are you expecting to happen on Saturday. You think
everything's gonna be nice and peaceful, Well, that's that's our hope.

Speaker 2 (00:31):
We always, uh, you know, pray for the best, but
we prepare for war and we're ready for any kind
of contingencies. These situations, as we know from past experiences,
can always be dynamic. Sometimes most people are peaceful and
are just there to exercise their right to demonstrate, but
sometimes others, you know, one act out of line and

(00:51):
they do, then we'll be ready to react swiftly and
effectively to make sure we stop any threats, any damage
to property, any harm to any lawlaw enforcement or to
the community at large, or disruption to traffic flows, etc.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
Well, I'm guessing if there was any violence, these are
going to be outside agitators that are going to do that,
and probably out of state agitators because your typical texts
and regardless of their political persuasion, has a respect for
law enforcement.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
Absolutely, that's what we've seen time and time again. Harris
County does have a long history of seeing people exercising
their right to protest, and typically they've done it peacefully.
But again, we leave nothing to chance. So our folks
are well prepared and trained, and we're working closely with
our law enforcement partners and everyone involved so that we

(01:38):
could make sure that everything goes according a plan.

Speaker 1 (01:41):
Governor Rabbit has deployed the National Guard. He sent them
to San Antonio. There are a few people who are
upset that he did. Is there any plans for the
National Guard to be in Houston on Saturday.

Speaker 2 (01:52):
We haven't heard that there's plans for them to be here. Obviously,
there's a lot of things happening around the state in
other cities as well, so I'm sure they're needed in
other areas and there's more pressing needs and then you know,
we support that. You know, we're never gonna turn down
any help if we need it. But I think for
now things are under control. There are a number of
protests around the region, so we'll make sure we continue

(02:14):
to keep a close eye today going into tomorrow, and
if anything, if the needs arise, will definitely be in
contact and and not be shy about receiving help.

Speaker 1 (02:23):
About an hour from now, we're gonna be talking with
Congressman Wesley Hunt. He had offered it to Harris County
to send in some federal help if you thought you
needed it. He made the same offer to the City
of Houston that those of the offers from from the
congressmen were turned down. I take it that means that
you folks don't feel you need any additional help.

Speaker 2 (02:43):
At the moment. I think we're set.

Speaker 1 (02:45):
You know.

Speaker 2 (02:45):
I don't know what other county leaders, uh you know,
have done with those requests or anything like that, but
you know, in terms of our law enforcement posture, I
think we're set. We're good to go with what we have,
and again, we are appreciated of any any offers for
assistance if if needed, and it will definitely call if
if that's the case.

Speaker 1 (03:05):
Okay, can he kind of tell us where the line is,
Sheriff Gonzales on Saturday for the demonstrators, where do you
draw the line as far as peaceful protesting versus something
that you're not going to tolerate.

Speaker 2 (03:19):
Yeah, well, I think it starts crossing the line when
you start seeing damage to property, two vehicles, throwing of items,
any any type of harm towards any law enforcement offshore
that's out there just serving and protecting. Anything like that,
you know, obviously starts going out of lines. It's hard
sometimes to define exactly, you know, but but the obvious,

(03:41):
you know, the throwing of items, obviously, any weapons, any
any attacks, physical attacks towards law enforcement or others, damaging
a property. You know, it's it's the white spectrum. So
and obviously disrupting traffic flows people. You know, it's a
busy region. We have people trying to get to in front,
you know, kids, sporting events and and work and other things,

(04:04):
and and you know they're entitled to to also be
able to go about their business as well without any disruptions.
There's apple opportunities to protest and do it peacefully in
in a uh you know, in a coordinated way. And
and that's what we expect out of everybody.

Speaker 1 (04:19):
In other words, protest like a textan not like a Californian. Exactly,
all right, Sheriff, thank you for your time today. I
appreciate it. Thank you for having me you bet Harris
County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez