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'We will have our eyes on stores': HPD Chief warns he won't tolerate looters during Hurricane Laura

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Houston police chief Art Acevedo didn’t mince words when he sent a stern warning about looting ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall.
In a series of tweets, Acevedo wrote “Although you may not see us, we will have eyes on stores, gun stores, pharmacies, etc. We will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our community and we will move quickly to arrest scofflaws.”
Houston police chief Art Acevedo didn’t mince words when he sent a stern warning about looting ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall.
In a series of tweets, Acevedo wrote “Although you may not see us, we will
Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer
Houston police chief Art Acevedo didn’t mince words when he sent a stern warning about looting ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall.
In a series of tweets, Acevedo wrote “Although you may not see us, we will have eyes on stores, gun stores, pharmacies, etc. We will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our community and we will move quickly to arrest scofflaws.”
Houston police chief Art Acevedo didn’t mince words when he sent a stern warning about looting ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall.
In a series of tweets, Acevedo wrote “Although you may not see us, we will
Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer
Houston police chief Art Acevedo didn’t mince words when he sent a stern warning about looting ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall.
In a series of tweets, Acevedo wrote “Although you may not see us, we will have eyes on stores, gun stores, pharmacies, etc. We will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our community and we will move quickly to arrest scofflaws.”
LAURA’S PATH: Here’s what Houstonians can expect now that Laura’s path has shifted east
Acevedo’s warning comes from first-hand experience after Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in 2017. Looters stole 109 firearms from Houston stores during Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Acevedo underscored that HPD is collaborating with government officials to guard against potential crime ahead of Hurricane Laura.
“We are working closely with our Federal, State and local partners and will be fully deployed throughout Houston and prepared to respond to all threats,” Acevedo tweeted.
Acevedo’s not the only official warning locals about crime ahead of Laura. Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman reinforced the message, advising against posting your evacuation plans on social media.
“If you evacuate, do not post your plans on social media. Do not invite the criminal element to your property by advertising you’ll be gone for a while,” Herman posted on Facebook.