Harris County Constable Patrol Costs Could Rise 24%: What It Means for Neighborhoods

by Katie Day

Many Houston-area neighborhoods rely on Harris County constable patrols to provide an extra layer of safety beyond Houston Police or the Sheriff’s Office. But the cost of those patrol contracts may soon rise—by as much as 24%—to cover pay raises for deputies.

Why the Increase?

The proposed bump stems from ongoing efforts to make law enforcement pay more competitive across Harris County. With deputy salaries rising, contract patrol programs—which are often funded by homeowners associations (HOAs) or municipal utility districts (MUDs)—would need to pay more to maintain the same level of service.

For many communities, these deputies are a familiar and visible presence, offering quicker response times, routine patrols, and neighborhood-specific policing.

How Neighborhoods Are Reacting

The proposal has sparked a mix of responses:

Supporters say the pay raises are overdue and necessary to retain experienced deputies in a competitive job market. They argue that keeping patrols in place is worth the additional investment.
Skeptics worry that the higher price tag could put too much strain on HOA budgets, potentially leading to higher annual dues or even forcing some neighborhoods to reduce patrol coverage.

What This Means for Residents

If approved, neighborhoods with patrol contracts will need to decide whether to:

Accept the higher costs and maintain their current level of coverage
Reduce the number of deputies under contract to stay within budget
Explore alternatives, such as private security or relying solely on city/county law enforcement

Either way, homeowners may soon see the impact directly in their HOA fees or community budgets.

Constable patrols have long been a valued feature in many Harris County neighborhoods—but with costs potentially rising nearly a quarter, communities will need to weigh the value of added security against affordability.