HPD Capt. Tim Trometer addresses an audience of Westchase District property managers and owners.
Capt. Tim Trometer, the newly appointed top officer at HPD’s Westside Command Station participated in a free-ranging conversation with Westchase District tenants and property managers at a recent meeting of the Public Safety Alliance. The quarterly Public Safety Alliance meetings are coordinated by Mark Hubenak, Westchase District’s vice president of public safety and feature HPD leaders and other public safety experts discussing emerging crime trends and other topics of interest to property managers.
Capt. Trometer reviewed current crime stats in Westchase District noting that non-violent crime is down 7% and violent crime is down 6%.
One crime that is on the upswing is burglary of a motor vehicle. Trometer cautioned that criminals often sit in parking lots looking for potential victims. “If you go into a restaurant, they know you’ll be there for a while, giving them time to case your vehicle. If they see you putting something in the trunk, they know just where to look,” he said. “It takes them just 15 to 20 seconds to break into your car and steal your belongings.”
Predatory thefts are another example of a burglary of a motor vehicle. That’s when a criminal watches customers emerge from a bank, then follows them to their next destination to rob them of their cash. “Situational awareness is so important to avoid becoming a victim,” said Trometer. “Be aware of anyone observing you from the parking lot and go straight to your destination, without stopping along the way. That’s the best way to protect your cash and avoid becoming a victim.”
License plate thefts are also on the upswing in response to the new state law that bans paper license plates. Trometer recommends purchasing license plate locks which can be found online or at auto parts stores to protect your plates.
Property owners share concerns about homeless
Audience members asked about the perceived increase in homelessness in Houston and specifically in Westchase District. Trometer acknowledged that dealing with homeless individuals is not “a one-step solution. We can’t force them to accept help.”
He says officers can issue Class C citations for loitering on public property. If homeless individuals are loitering on private property, the property owner must be willing to press charges. Trometer said many people give money to panhandlers and that just encourages more panhandling. “Homeless individuals congregate where people give money,” said Trometer. “I believe it’s better to give money to the charities that help homeless individuals find long-term permanent housing.”
Networking among property managers is a key component of the Public Safety Alliance.
Staffing still a challenge
The Westside Division is the largest HPD division in Houston by any measure. Trometer supervises approximately 300 officers who patrol 68 square miles with 350,000 residents. Trometer, who was raised in Iowa, joked that the Westside Command is bigger than his hometown.
“Citywide we have approximately 5,200 offficers,” said Trometer. “For comparison, in 1998 we had 5,400 officers and 500,000 fewer people.” Trometer said the recent pay raise authorized by City Council is helping with recruitment. “Recruiting is up. And some officers who left the department are now returning,” he said.
The shortage of officers forces HPD to collaborate with property owners to address crime. “Security cameras are helpful. If a private property owner installs good quality, high resolution cameras, that can help us make an arrest when a crime occurs,” said Trometer.
Prepping for World Cup
Trometer said HPD is already busy preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when Houston will host seven matches at NRG Stadium. “The homeland security command is already working to get ready. We have a 39-day window in which no officer can take any personal leave,” said Trometer. “Every one of our officers is trained in protests and disturbances, so we’ll be ready for anything.”
Houston City Council Member Julian Ramirez was a special guest at the meeting. He commended Mayor Whitmire for finding new resources to add to HPD’s vehicle fleet.
