Help Prevent New Communication Outages While We Recover - Don’t Cut the Fiber

ETCOG Public Safety • August 2, 2024

In the wake of recent storms, restoring essential services is paramount. Communication lines are a lifeline for our community, connecting us to emergency services, loved ones, and vital information. These lines are often buried underground, making them vulnerable to damage from digging.


Cutting a communication line can have devastating consequences. It can hinder emergency response efforts, delay recovery, and isolate individuals and families. By calling 811 before you dig (or 1-800-272-3020), you can help prevent these disruptions and protect our community.


How to Protect Our Community:

  • Call 811 before you dig: This free service will send professionals to mark the location of underground utility lines.
  • Report damaged lines: If you suspect a damaged line, contact your utility provider immediately.
  • Stay clear of the area: Avoid digging near damaged lines, as they may be unstable.
  • When clearing downed trees, do not touch or cut lines as they might be operational.
  • Do not pile debris on or near utility pedestals.
  • Do not drive over power lines.
  • Do not cut lines. It is faster to repair than to replace damaged lines.
  • Do not touch or remove downed or damaged lines.


Let’s work together to ensure our community remains connected during this recovery process. Your actions can make a significant difference.


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$3.1M in Criminal Justice Grants to Improve Public Safety and Support Victims of Crime Approved for East Texas

By ETCOG Public Safety • November 21, 2025
ETCOG announces that $3.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor's (OOG) Public Safety Office have been awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations. These funds are aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting victims of crime. The program’s mission is to strengthen Texas communities by supporting initiatives that help victims recover and feel secure while also preventing crime through programs that: Prevent juvenile delinquency and support truancy prevention Provide services to victims of crime and address violence against women Support law enforcement and improve the criminal justice system Prevent child sex trafficking, bring justice to its perpetrators, and restore victims ETCOG's Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually, and applications submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local subject-matter experts from across the region. The following Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, and Juvenile Assistance grants totaling $3,136,019.36 have been approved by the OOG for funding in East Texas:  Victims of Crime Act Funds - $2,528,962.18 The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and navigate the justice system.
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