HOUSTON – Harris County Precinct 4 is cutting 97 jobs, Constable Ron Hickman announced Wednesday afternoon.
"Because of the current budget crisis, our budget reduction requires we reduce over $7 million in expenditures," Hickman said.
Ninety Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Constables are out of a job. The other positions are clerical.
One sergeant said he had been busted back down to a deputy. He said that was his only choice if he wanted to keep a job.
Precinct 4 had already instituted an across-the-board 3-percent pay reduction and reduced vehicle and operating expenses prior to the layoffs.
They’d also canceled their service contract with Cy-Fair ISD, Tomball ISD and the Harris County Department of Education, none of which has its own police department. About two weeks ago, the schools were given a 30-day notice that Precinct 4 would no longer provide campus patrols.
On Wednesday night, deputies were being called in and let go. Several turned in their access keys in the parking lot and went home.
11 News asked Hickman if there was anyway this doesn’t affect safety.
“Logically, no. Functionally, that’s my job,” he replied candidly.
One deputy said it was like a funeral Wednesday night. Hickman echoed the sentiment.
“Facing people, some who I know very well, and have worked with for 20 years, telling them they don’t have a job tomorrow is toughest thing,” he said.
Hickman said the actual impact the layoffs will have on the precinct’s ability to provide service to its constituents was still unclear. He said many of those questions will be answered once the precinct has an opportunity to adjust and reorganize.
"It is with great regret that we affect schools and communities who have contributed greatly to both this department and our area," Hickman said. "This is an agonizing decision, but these are difficult times and all of us must tighten our belts to adjust."
Prior to the layoffs, Hickman had a staff of 415 employees.
