03-16-2026

District’s 2026 Public Safety Outreach Focused on Local Businesses

The City of Houston’s March On Crime campaign was created in December 1984, out of growing concern over the rise in violent crime across the city. The March On Crime campaign has been held every year since, as a coordinated effort to educate the public about such topics as crime prevention, Crime Stoppers, neighborhood watch, personal safety, and burglary prevention. The North Houston District participates in outreach every year, led by VP of Public Safety Tracy Harrison.

This year, Houston’s annual March on Crime week took place March 9-13th. Unlike in years past, which focused primarily on outreach to local apartment communities, the North Houston District’s 2026 efforts were centered on connecting with local businesses in the area. Joined by Tracy Harrison, NHD’s Vice President of Public Safety, local law enforcement visited with businesses in the District to educate them about crime prevention best practices and the resources available to them.

“For many years, the outreach focused on talking to citizens living in the area. But this year, we built relationships with local businesses along the main thoroughfare areas—both business owners and employees,” she says. Harrison highlights that public safety partners stopped by 198 businesses, including retail shopping centers and standalone office buildings.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Houston Police Department joined NHD’s outreach in an effort to get to know the individuals working in North Houston businesses, talk to them on a more personal level, exchange important information, and offer support with any safety or security concerns. Harrison and local officers also educated businesses on trespass affidavits, patrol efforts, and infrastructure and park improvements in the area.

“These types of boots on the ground efforts allow us to reach people in the area directly to let them know that they are part of the progress happening in North Houston, and are stakeholders in a well-rounded public safety strategy,” Harrison says, adding, “Over the years, we’ve knocked on well over 15,000 doors as part of March on Crime outreach.”

“These types of boots on the ground efforts allow us to reach people in the area directly to let them know that they are part of the progress happening in North Houston." Tracy Harrison, NHD’s Vice President of Public Safety

NHD to Host Public Safety Summit

Harrison also extended the invitation for businesses to attend the District’s Public Safety Summit on Wednesday, August 5th. This upcoming event will be a catered breakfast focused on public safety issues and will provide a touchpoint to connect with NHD staff and local law enforcement. The open forum will be an opportunity to address issues and discuss solutions as a business community.

Harrison Leads Collaborative Public Safety Coalition

A former U.S. Marine and appointee to the International City/County Management Association’s National Veterans Advisory Committee, Harrison’s full-court-press approach to public safety emphasizes coordinated efforts among several overlapping law enforcement agencies and public safety partners in a multi-jurisdictional District. She spearheads the North Houston District’s Public Safety Committee and participates in annual efforts like March on Crime and National Night Out. The North Houston District champions a layered public safety strategy, which is crystallized in Harrison’s collaborative programming.