Members of the Brays Oaks Community and HPD Chief of Police Art Acevedo and his executive command staff held a press conference today at the HPD South Gessner Police Station located at 8605 Westplace Drive to announce the addition of six (6) Mobile Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) devices to be used in the identification of detained or arrested individuals in the course of patrol, gang or crime suppression team law enforcement activities.
Community members, led by Sheri Cortez, raised $2,700 to purchase 3 AFIS (finger print reader devices), along with the Brays Oaks Management District board which also provided $2,700 to fund 3 additional devices. Sheri Cortez is wife of HPD Officer Ronny Cortez, who was shot and wounded in the line of duty back in February of 2017. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for costs of therapy and treatment for Officer Cortez and anyone who would like to help can visit to donate – https://www.gofundme.com/operation-hero-support.
According to Brays Oaks Public Safety Committee Chair, Starla Turnbo, “this partnership with HPD is very important to the District and we sincerely appreciate the support of Sheri Cortez for leading the community fundraising efforts.” Chief Acevedo states that “he and his executive command are grateful to Ms. Cortez who led the community fundraising for (3) of the AFIS devices and also to the Brays Oaks District Board of Directors for matching the funds raised in the community so that (6) devices could be purchased.
We are thankful for our partnership with the Brays Oaks Board of Directors and the Brays Oaks community who are so supportive of the Houston Police Department and our officers as they work every day to keep our community safe.”
Watch the NTV Houston Interview withHPD Chief of Police Art Acevedo
