Sheriffs across North Central Texas join forces to support rural communities
Sheriffs from across North Central Texas are coming together in a new effort to improve communication, strengthen collaboration, and enhance public safety across the region.
The North Central Texas Sheriff’s Coalition held its first meeting on April 15, bringing together law enforcement leaders from several counties with a shared goal: ensuring rural communities have a stronger voice in statewide discussions.
Archer County Sheriff Jack Curd said the challenges facing smaller counties don’t always get the same attention as those in larger urban areas.
“You hear about the border and big urban counties and their problems, and that doesn’t necessarily equate to what we’ve got going on up here in North Central Texas,” Curd said.
Jack County Sheriff T-Bob Hauger, who helped organize the group, said the coalition grew out of a need for greater collective influence among smaller counties.
“We’re really a small fish in a big sea,” Hauger said. “If we can bring these sheriffs together, we become a much bigger voice.”
The coalition is designed to present a unified front when working with lawmakers in Austin, where rural concerns can sometimes be overshadowed.
“When just one of us goes to Austin to talk about our problems, a small rural county can get overlooked,” Curd said. “But together, we can make sure those issues are heard.”
Sheriffs say many of the challenges they face- ranging from public safety concerns to resource limitations, which are similar across counties, regardless of size.
“Archer, Wichita and Jack counties have the same problems; sometimes they forget the little guys are still here.” Curd said.
Leaders say the coalition is in its early stages, with plans to meet regularly, share strategies, and work collectively to better serve their communities.