HCSO Deputies' Bluebonnet Portraits Go Viral
What started off as a simple, creative idea to hopefully capture a few smiles on the other side of cyberspace quickly gained international attention.
About a week ago, three Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies with the Community Engagement division were asked by their department's coordinator to pick a local spot where they could take a few photos among a bed of bluebonnets, our state flower. Since bluebonnet season is happening now, the idea was to encourage the community to take their own photos among the bluebonnets by sharing photos of their own deputies doing just that, with tips about how to stay safe while pulling over to take the photos. Bluebonnets are often planted along major roadways and while beautiful, can be dangerous to access for photo opportunities.
The deputies picked a known patch of bluebonnets located in Houston's own Buffalo Bayou Park, specifically near the intersection of Memorial Drive and Jackson Hill Street, so that they wouldn't have to drive too far. They pulled over, had a few minutes of fun taking the photos against a beautiful backdrop of Downtown Houston, then went back to work. Their department's coordinator uploaded them to the HCSO Community Engagement Division's Facebook page and, much to the department's surprise, likes, comments and shares immediately started flooding in.
As of March 30, the post has gone viral with 1,220,000 views on Facebook, reaching multiple states like Florida and countries across the world like Australia and New Zealand.
"We had this collective idea to come up with something different for the team to help change the dynamic between the officers and the community," said deputy Tim Mordecai with the HCSO Community Engagement division.
Leveraging the power of positivity and humor, the Community Engagement division's efforts have paid off, shedding more light on their important work as stewards of the Harris County Sheriff's Office by bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement. From hosting a Citizen's Police Academy class in Spanish to teaching young Houstonians how to ride a bicycle and provide safety tips at a local event, this team is dedicated to serving Harris County in a fresh, dynamic way that brings an element of positivity that is so desperately needed between the public and law enforcement.
Be on the lookout for more engagement opportunities, including a few coming to the western swath of Harris County. To learn more about this division of Harris County Sheriff's Office, including their upcoming schedule of events, please visit harriscountyso.org/ContactUs/CommunityEngagement.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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