Baytown Fire to aid in response time

ANAHUAC— Chambers County recently entered into an agreement with Baytown for fire and EMS services to certain areas of the county to allow for significantly quicker response times.

Chambers County Commissioners Court met on Tuesday, Dec. 9, discussing the $400,000 agreement, which will be a one-year term beginning Jan. 1.

Commissioner Precinct 4 Ryan Dagley said under the new agreement, areas south of Interstate 10, the Texas 146 corridor and industrial complexes will be covered by the Baytown Fire Department.

Driveways connected to FM 3180 will still be covered by the Cove Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Dagley, Cove, Beach City and Mont Belvieu fire chiefs support the agreement.

The improvement project at Whites Park continues as commissioners approved upgrading the sound system for the Whites Park Arena and cow barn for just under $110,000.

Economic Development Director Samantha Humphrey discussed Airport Road emergency services building, primarily a change order for $75,000, which was approved by commissioners.

Some issues have come up during construction, but the amount is still "well under budget," according to Humphrey.

There is currently $225,000 for a contingency fund to use if issues arise, and what isn't used from the $75,000 will be returned to the county upon competition of the project.

Commissioner Precinct 3 Tommy Hammond questioned the need for the change order since there was a contingency fund.

Chambers County Assistant District Attorney Mallory Vargas provided a biennial report on the Sexual Assault Response Team.

The team was mandated in 2021 by the Texas Legislature and consists of Bay Area Turning Point, Baytown Police Department, Bridgehaven Children's Advocacy Center, Chambers County District Attorney's Office, Chambers County Attorney's Office, Chambers County Sheriff's Office, Mont Belvieu Police Department, Chambers Health, Houston Methodist and Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners.

Vargas explained that the team conducted a multi-month community needs assessment, receiving about 100 responses.

"It is a glaring issue. This is a widely under-reported crime," Vargas said.

Vargas said there were 30 adult sexual assault cases between 2024 and 2025.

"It doesn't seem like a lot. That's a really significant number when we know how widely unreported this crime goes," Vargas said.

According to collected data, 13 reported cases are ongoing, currently at the DA's office, where they are collecting evidence.

Over half of the closed cases that were not indicted were due to a lack of cooperation by the victim, which is typical in sexual assault cases for a variety of reasons.

Vargas added that during quarterly meetings, the team discusses how to better serve victims and how to reduce the number of assaults, as well as educate the community on resources available to them.

The team is currently working on a community event to spread awareness of the issue, according to Vargas.

The court reappointed Brad Crone and Kenneth Thibodeaux to the Chambers County Emergency Services District No. 1 Board.

The court also reappointed members to two Houston-Galveston Area Council committees.

Dagley was reappointed as primary voting member of the Transportation Policy Council, and Hammond was reappointed as the alternate member.

Engineering Director Zachary Vogler was reappointed as the primary voting member of the Transportation Advisory Committee, and Contract Engineer Cory Taylor was appointed as the alternate member.