Precinct 7 History
The story of Harris County Constable Precinct 7 is intertwined with the legacy of Harris County. It all began in 1966, when two Harris County commissioners made a decision that would set the stage for decades of service and leadership in our communities. Their commitment to create laid the foundation for what would become a vital institution—serving and protecting the people of Precinct 7. During that time Precinct 7 had been carved out to cover 73.2 square miles. Years later around 2002-2004 Precinct 7 expanded to Southwestern Houston Harris County and expanded to 94.3 square miles. In the earlier years, the Precinct had a population of 273,000 residences according to the US Census reporting. Today Precinct 7 has grown to around 528,000 citizens and is considered one of the fastest growing affordable and new commercial growth in Harris County. It is situated in the southern sector of Harris County, which includes parts of southwest and southeast (incorporated and unincorporated) areas. Some of the areas served are the Third Ward, The University of Houston, Texas Southern University, South Park, South Union, Sunnyside, NRG Park, Astrodome, Hiram Clarke, Meyerland, parts of South Braeswood, Riceville, West Airport, and the Lakes of Fondren.
By 1973, the community had already seen the emergence of remarkable community leaders, Constable Arthur Burtis "(AB)" Chambers was appointed the first constable of precinct 7 and the first African American and the first in the state of Texas. Constable A.B. Chambers was more than a law enforcement officer; he was a pillar of the community, embodying integrity, dedication, and a deep understanding of the needs of Southeast Houston’s residents. His leadership contributed to shaping the precinct into a symbol of trust and community service. His first Chief Clerk Roberta Ewing faced the racism and bigotry A.B. faced. She faced it down with steadfast courage and continues to serve Precinct 7 today as the Chief Clerk under Constable James “Smokie” Phillips and former Constable May Walker (retired).
Over the years, Precinct 7 has been led by extraordinary members of the community—each bringing their unique strength and vision. Constable Walker, predecessors who served with honor, paved the way for continued excellence. Now, I have the privilege of serving as the 4th elected Constable of Precinct 7, carrying forward a legacy built on the sacrifices and dedication of those who came before me.
Precinct 7’s journey from its founding days to today reflects the resilience of its people and the enduring spirit of service. It’s a story of community, leadership, and unwavering commitment—one that continues to evolve with each new chapter. As we look to the future, we honor those who shaped our past and remain steadfast in our mission to serve and uplift Precinct 7 for generations to come.
The center of operations for Precinct 7 is located at 5290 Griggs Road, Houston, Texas 77021. Precinct 7 has 85 voting precincts. Constable James “Smokie” Phillips’ Office has the ultimate responsibility of serving all civil processes issued through the offices of Justice of the Peace, Positions 1 and 2. The civil processes include but are not limited to: Citations, Attorney General Office, Writs of Attachment, Restraining Orders, Protective Orders, Writs of Execution, Writ of Mandamus, Subpoenas, Eviction Notices and Abatement.
In addition the Civil Division has bailiff duties, which include maintaining order and courtroom security in the Justice of the Peace Courts, taking any persons custody as ordered by the judge, maintaining all prisoners in holding cells, transportation of juvenile prisoners to Harris County Juvenile Detention and mental health facilities.
Another precinct division is the Warrant Division. All Class C warrants issued by the Justice of the Peace Courts are given to the Constable's Office.
The Patrol/Traffic Safety Division is responsible for providing traffic law enforcement services in predominantly rural and non-incorporated areas. This division also provides law enforcement services in and around Harris County, parks, bike trails, and other county areas. Precinct 7 is welcoming two new additions to this division, the Bike Unit and the Motorcycle/Motorcade Unit.
The Toll Road Division, which patrols Harris County Sam Houston Toll Roads, Beltway 8 from Highways 45 to 59.
The Dispatch Division is a 24-hour service responsible for taking incoming service calls and dispatching them to on-duty officers.
Precinct 7 has several neighborhood contracts in which it provides law enforcement services on a contractual basis to subdivisions or neighborhoods as per agreement with Harris County.
The Criminal Investigations Division has a team of deputies and sergeants that investigate criminal cases including, but not limited to domestic violence, fraud, theft, robberies, and assault.
The “Are You Okay” Program is for senior citizens ages 65+. It is an important priority for Constable Phillips and Precinct 7 to take care of our senior citizens. Through this program seniors that sign up receive a personal phone call every couple of weeks. We celebrate their milestones with them through several senior groups, and help them with resources if needed. We also provide vacation watch and extra patrols in their neighborhoods.
The Harris County Justice of the Peace and Constable Precincts were established under the Constitution and Laws of the State to provide essential services to the county's residents.
For many years, the existing boundaries for the Justice of the Peace (JP) and Constable precincts resulted in unequal services for the residents of Harris County. In a letter to the Court in 1966, District Attorney Carol Vance urged a study on redistricting the Justice Precincts to address the inequalities caused by population shifts.
Census data at that time showed proposed district boundaries with populations ranging from 146,000 to 342,000. The population distribution varied significantly, with some districts having fewer than 7,000 residents while others exceeding 1,000,000.
Unlike congressional, State Senate, State House, and Commissioners Court Districts, the JP and Constable Precinct boundaries were not aligned with census tracts. This discrepancy resulted in numerous irregular election precincts.