Liberty County constable deputies face significant limitations at the new Colony Ridge annex facility, where they are confined to a mere 100-square-foot storage room. Despite the building’s 5,800-square-foot size, the deputies lack access to essential amenities such as secure parking, private restrooms, and evidence storage.
Constable Zack Harkness expressed frustration over the situation, noting that while the Constable’s name is prominently displayed on the exterior of the annex, the reality inside is quite different. His team has been reduced to using a small storage space situated in the public lobby, accessible only with a security badge.
“We don’t have showers available,” Constable Harkness highlighted. “We don’t have free parking. They can’t use the kitchen or any employee facility or amenity within the building other than the public restroom. So all we’re looking to do is be able to get our employees behind the line so they can do that.”
With five deputies operating from this cramped location, the lack of adequate space has become a logistical nightmare. They are forced to share public restrooms and have no secure area for logging or storing evidence. Safety is also a concern, as deputies must leave their personal vehicles exposed outside the building without access to a secure gated lot. Furthermore, they are denied access to the kitchen, break room, or showers available to other county employees.
Despite the annex being a recent project, having been contracted in early 2025, conditions for the constables have not improved. Over the past six months to a year, Constable Harkness has been actively seeking solutions.
“We have done walkthroughs with public officials during the layout process,” he explained. “We have talked to them in person. We have phone calls, text messages, and emails. It did make the agenda a few months ago, but it wasn’t really brought up that well, so I’ve attempted to bring it up again. But all avenues of communication have been attempted.”
In an effort to increase public awareness, the constable recently took to social media to share the challenges his team faces. “The community is not aware, and they think either we have the whole building or they think we have a shared space, which we have a shared space. It’s a very small portion,” he said. “It’s so small we’re not able to be operational out of it. So, having the post opens the eyes to the public a little bit about how little we have to deal with that.”
Constable Harkness believes that the solution to their predicament does not necessitate a large budget increase or extensive renovations; rather, it simply requires access cards for the deputies. “All we need is a little bit more space,” he stated. “Two or three or more offices and access to the back. It’s a very easy request, and I feel that the county is going to take care of it.”
Looking ahead, Constable Harkness indicated that if no action is taken, he would consider bringing the issue back to the public agenda for discussion. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the Commissioner’s Court have been contacted for comments regarding this matter.
