HOUSTON – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office received a bomb threat for the Harris County Jail on Wednesday morning.
Houston police, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, and SWAT team members swept the building at 1200 Baker Street.
Assistant Chief Phillip Vasquez with HCSO said deputies received the threat via phone call at 8:54 a.m. toward one of the buildings of the jail complex. At that point, deputies helped evacuate all civilian staff out of the building.
Bomb squad, HCSO K-9 units, and officers with the Houston Police Department were called to the scene to assist. A safety parameter was established around the area.
Vasquez said all inmates stayed inside the building and followed emergency protocol from deputies.
Deputies hope to have the area clear by Wednesday afternoon. Scheduled family visitations at the jail will run as normal.
There is no threat to the community, but officers advised people to avoid the area as an investigation remains ongoing.
Watch the full news conference in the video player below.
HCSO received a bomb threat today at 8:54 a.m. in the Harris County Jail located at 1200 Baker St. @houstonpolice, HCSO Bomb Squad, explosive-detection K9s, and SWAT are sweeping the building at this time. There is no threat to the community. Please avoid the area. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/eTjCdrX4On
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) August 2, 2023