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Harris County DA funds JCPD dashboard cameras
By JOSH HARDWICK
The Jacinto City Police Department (JCPD) is partnering with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to help make life a little more difficult for city criminals.
On Aug. 14 ,the department received a check from the district attorney for $54,740. The money, collected from the office’s Asset Forfeiture Division, will be used to install DVD-recorded dashboard cameras on 11 JCPD patrol cars.
Jacinto City is just one of several area jurisdictions receiving aid as part of District Attorney Kenneth Magidson’s plan.
“In other words, money seized from criminal activity is being used to aid in the investigation, arrest and prosecution of those charged with crimes,” he said.
Each year his office’s Asset Forfeiture Division confiscates about $3.5 million in criminal contraband.
“We do not want our asset forfeiture money just sitting somewhere collecting interest. We’re not in the business of making money, but rather using that money appropriately and responsibly,” Magidson said.
Jacinto City Police Chief Joe Ayala said that the money will not only help enhance officer safety, but assist in collecting more conclusive evidence that can be used to keep criminals behind bars.
“The saying always goes that a picture is worth 1,000 words. Any time we make an arrest we can pull these videos and secure them as evidence to be used in the prosecution process,” he said. “I appreciate District Attorney Magidson and his staff for the generosity in a positive working relationship with area law enforcement.”
Ayala said that the money has already been deposited into the department’s account and will be used immediately.
Last month the department also received federal funding toward the purchase of an automated fingerprint system.
Ayala said he is very thankful for both local and national assistance, and that the equipment purchased from such funding will help get his officers out of the courtroom and back on patrol faster.
On Aug. 14 ,the department received a check from the district attorney for $54,740. The money, collected from the office’s Asset Forfeiture Division, will be used to install DVD-recorded dashboard cameras on 11 JCPD patrol cars.
Jacinto City is just one of several area jurisdictions receiving aid as part of District Attorney Kenneth Magidson’s plan.
“In other words, money seized from criminal activity is being used to aid in the investigation, arrest and prosecution of those charged with crimes,” he said.
Each year his office’s Asset Forfeiture Division confiscates about $3.5 million in criminal contraband.
“We do not want our asset forfeiture money just sitting somewhere collecting interest. We’re not in the business of making money, but rather using that money appropriately and responsibly,” Magidson said.
Jacinto City Police Chief Joe Ayala said that the money will not only help enhance officer safety, but assist in collecting more conclusive evidence that can be used to keep criminals behind bars.
“The saying always goes that a picture is worth 1,000 words. Any time we make an arrest we can pull these videos and secure them as evidence to be used in the prosecution process,” he said. “I appreciate District Attorney Magidson and his staff for the generosity in a positive working relationship with area law enforcement.”
Ayala said that the money has already been deposited into the department’s account and will be used immediately.
Last month the department also received federal funding toward the purchase of an automated fingerprint system.
Ayala said he is very thankful for both local and national assistance, and that the equipment purchased from such funding will help get his officers out of the courtroom and back on patrol faster.
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