Harris County deputies hoping to bridge gap between Spanish-speaking community

HOUSTON — Hispanics are the largest ethnic group in the area but many in this community also have a huge distrust towards law enforcement, according to a survey.

A new program at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is hoping to bridge that gap, especially between Spanish speakers who sometimes have a fear of even reporting a crime.

"We see police and we get scared. That is what we were taught...Huge stigma police are out to get us," said Ansel Garcia, a worker with Fonda San Angel. 

In some instances, Latinos are scared to report a crime for fear officers will inquire about their immigration status. About 44 percent surveyed said they wouldn’t call the police.

"They go in the shadows. They become victimized. As well, people target them because they carry a lot of cash and do not have a banking relationship. They become prime targets for crime and then they don’t report it and it continues to manifest itself," said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. 

To change that fear, two Hispanic Harris County deputies are working in the community in a new program called Unidos, or United in English.

Deputy Heliodoro Martinez and Deputy Laura Magallanes go to restaurants, bakeries, and community events anywhere they can.

"Our task is to go out to the Hispanic community and relay all the resources that are within the Hispanic community," said Martinez.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said he started the program a year ago in hopes to build a relationship with the Latinos in our community.

"Many come from countries where police institutions are not always trusted and we wanted to make sure we change that dynamic," said Gonzalez. 

The goal is to provide families with basic information in Spanish. Like how to call or text 911, how to get a driver’s license, or any other program they might need. Changing that strained relationship that might exist. 

Unidos has even partnered with a local Spanish magazine, "Que Onda," to get the word out.

"A lot of people don’t know in our country the police are corrupted. You can do a 'mordida' and a bribe. You can't do that it's against the law," said publisher Gabriel Esparza. 

Families like the Hernandez's feel this program is necessary. In Spanish, Franklin Hernandez told us this program helps people like him who don't speak English. 

He told officers he was recently scammed by a man and didn’t know what to do. He said deputies answered his questions and pointed him in the direction he needed and that’s the goal.

"We want them to feel comfortable to come to us and have a question or educate them on how to make a report," said Deputy Magallanes. 

HCSO hopes to integrate other ethnicities and languages in the future.