Houston ISD Police Department readies safety, security measures for 2026-27 school year

As the start of the 2026-27 school year looms closer Aug. 10, the Houston ISD Police Department and its partners will be bolstering security and safety measures, according to an Aug. 4 news conference for the school district.

Two-minute impact

With students slated to soon return to HISD’s campuses, 112 guards have been added to monitor schools, and more will be added, Houston ISD Police Chief Shamara D. Garner said during the news conference. Officers will also be patrolling campuses 24 hours per day, she added.

“The beginning of a school year represents new opportunities for academic growth, new opportunities to reconnect with friends or even make new friends,” Garner said. “But what is not new is our shared commitment to keeping our students safe and to do all we can to maintain a safe learning environment.”

HISD’s annual Project Safe Start has been in operation for the last 25 years, Garner said. The program includes partnerships between HISD’s police department and other entities, such as precinct constables, the Houston Police Department and the Houston Ministers Against Crime.

“This program is more than just a safety initiative,” HPD Assistant Chief Yasar Bashir said Aug. 4. “It's a reflection of our shared value as a community and our deep commitment to protecting students and educators.”

One more thing

At the news conference, Garner offered back-to-school safety tips for students and the community, such as:

• Drivers should follow speed limits in school zones and watch out for child pedestrians or cyclists.
• Motorists cannot pass a school bus with red flashing lights and a stop sign arm extended, unless there is a concrete barrier separating the driver’s lane from the bus.
• Students should follow crossing guard’s instructions and be mindful of traffic while walking.
• Children walking should be very careful around railroads and trains.