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    PHOTO BY GARY ZUPANCIC/WIMBERLEY VIEW Constable vehicles will be at churches as a visual deterrent.
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    CONSTABLE RAY HELM

Securing our SANCTUARIES

Hays County Precinct 3 Constable Ray Helm is allowing his deputies to take their patrol vehicles to church. Typically, Deputy Constable’s are only allowed to use their official vehicle when on duty, but Helm is making an exception.

“Until further notice, if any of you attend church within Hays County, you may take a patrol vehicle,” Helm said in a statement on Facebook. “(U)nder our policy you must be in uniform any time you drive a vehicle except for this function, please be armed and make sure all first aid equipment is in your patrol vehicles for an active shooter. Please keep a handheld radio with you. This is a benefit for the taxpayers of Hays County and I would rather you be safe and your people that surround you at church. It is unfortunate that we have to take the protective actions to go to church, also check with your church first if they would agree before you start. Any questions please get with me.”

Helm said there was no direct threat made causing the change in procedure. No, it was just a sign of the times.

“It is such a sad day we have to do this,” Helm told the Wimberley View. “Wimberley is such a soft target… We are hoping this is a visual deterrent.”

Helm got the idea from an Alabama Sheriff, who instructed his deputies to do the same, due to the recent church attacks across the nation.

“In the Sutherland Springs shooting, twenty-six people were shot by a Comal County resident in Wilson County, two counties over,” Helm said. “I don’t want this to happen in Wimberley… The deputies don’t have to wear their uniforms…but they will have their hand held radio and be there for an active shooter response.” Another point Helm made was that some parishioners might be upset, seeing a gun on a deputy or a person with a concealed carry permit, and stresses that weapons be hidden in order not to alarm parishioners.

Helm’s deputy, former Constable Darell Ayres, is also a preacher at the Cowboy Church and teaches church security active shooter response. He has a few points about church security for parishioners that are greeters or ushers at their church.

“Be vigilant and observant… Greeters greet the people as they come to church, in the parking lot, then at the front door, then inside… Look for things that are out of the ordinary, in a car a long time, wearing a long overcoat when it’s 100 degrees outside. Are they interested in church or are they not being observant.”

Being always aware and observant is the first step.

Wimberley View

P.O. Box 49
Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone: 512-847-2202
Fax: 512-847-9054