HOUSTON — The Houston Police Department (HPD) reports a steady decline in gun thefts from vehicles over the past three years, crediting community engagement and increased public awareness for the downward trend.
According to HPD data, 3,913 incidents involving 4,286 firearms were recorded in 2022. In 2023, the numbers dropped slightly to 3,877 reports and 4,263 stolen firearms.
The decline continued in 2024, with 3,633 thefts involving 4,009 guns. Early data from 2025 shows a continued decrease, with 1,117 incidents and 1,234 firearms reported stolen between January and April, compared to 1,199 incidents and 1,316 firearms during the same period in 2024.
HPD Sergeant Tracy Hicks stated that 43% of gun thefts occur between 6 p.m. and midnight, primarily in parking lots outside bars, entertainment venues, and businesses that restrict firearm possession. Some parking garages are also specifically targeted, with gun thieves seeking firearms over other valuables like laptops or tablets.
Hicks stressed the importance of securing firearms in vehicles, recommending the use of bolted or steel-cable gun safes.
“Leaving a gun unsecured in a vehicle is never advisable,” he said. He also discouraged the use of vehicle decals or stickers that suggest firearm ownership, noting that such identifiers can make a car a target.
Retired HPD Officer Ronny Cortez, who was shot and paralyzed by a burglar using a stolen firearm, now works alongside Hicks to educate the public on the risks of unsecured weapons. “You don’t know what will happen. Someone can easily break in and take your weapon,” Cortez said.
Sheri Cortez, who works in the domestic violence bureau of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, collaborates with Hicks and her husband to distribute free gun safes at community events. She emphasized the broader impact of gun thefts. “It affects everyone, including those who accidentally leave their weapons out and those who fall victim to gun violence,” she said.
The District Attorney’s Office also provides free gun safes to domestic violence victims who obtain protective orders. Additionally, the Cortezes and HPD distribute safes through management district events and HPD’s Positive Interaction Program (PIP) community meetings.
Councilmember Abie Kamin’s “Lock It Up Safe” initiative supports the effort by offering gun safes for both vehicles and homes, reinforcing a citywide commitment to reducing firearm theft and enhancing public safety.
Residents seeking information on how to obtain a free gun safe can contact the Harris County District Attorney’s Office at da@dao.hctx.net or visit the HPD PIP meeting schedule for distribution events.