Lt. Johnny Reyes Sr., a 23-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, is taking over as supervisor of the 21 law enforcement officers assigned to the East Aldine Management District. Reyes succeeds Lt. Mike Santos, who was recently appointed a homicide detective for the Sheriff’s Office.

Reyes, 46, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, He previously worked in the East Aldine area from 2019 to 2023 as a crime analyst in the Sheriff’s Office Crime Reduction Unit. He holds an associate degree from Wharton County Junior College.

After his military service, Reyes said he was drawn to a career in law enforcement.

“My passion is looking for bad guys to make the community safer,” Reyes said.

Reyes said the support of the community in East Aldine is essential to addressing crime problems in the area.

“I don’t think there’s anything going on that cannot be handled, we have all the right resources,” Reyes said. “I’ve told the people at the Management District, and the citizens, that we need the support of the people that live in the district. If they see something, call it in. Let us know what’s going on. Because, if we don’t know about it, we’re not going to be able to deal with it.”

Reyes said the officers assigned to East Aldine are “already doing a great job,” but he wants citizens to step up in their efforts to help eliminate crime.

Reyes added: “That doesn’t mean we’re going to send a car to your house, because sometimes people don’t want other folks to know they’ve called us. But, if you see something, say something.”

That might include a strange car in the neighborhood, or frequent loud gatherings, Reyes said.

“We can check out those things without letting others know who called it in,” Reyes said, “With the help of the community, it would be a lot easier to figure out who these people are that are causing the problems or committing the crimes.”

The biggest factor contributing to crime in East Aldine, like most other communities, is the demand for illegal drugs, Reyes said.

“I think drugs are the biggest problem, it really is a scourge. The drugs bring about all the other crime problems,” Reyes said.

Under a contract with the East Aldine Management District, 21 Sheriff’s Office deputies and other officers are assigned primarily to patrol the streets of the 20-square mile district. Those officers are also allowed to respond, when necessary, to other emergencies in the northeastern part of Harris County.

The Sheriff’s Office keeps a storefront office on the first floor of the District’s main office, located at 2909 East Aldine Amphitheater Dr. Citizens are encouraged to visit that office, for instructions on how to install child safety seats in vehicles and other crime-reduction instructions.

Reyes, who is divorced, has a 12-year-old daughter, Mia, who is an aspiring singer. She decides the radio stations and plans the playlists for their vacation trips to Disney theme parks, Reyes said.

“Everything revolves around her,” Reyes said.

Reyes lives with his girlfriend, who has a 12-year-old son, and their “blended family” has involved the usual middle-school age balancing act.

“Our kids go to school together and they have classes together. And it’s so funny how they get along. One minute they’re fighting, and the next minute they’re playing and getting along great,” Reyes said.