Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
    • The Best of Reason Magazine
    • Why We Can't Have Nice Things
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Print/Digital Subscriptions
    • Gift Subscriptions

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

Houston

two animal rights protesters, Daraius Dubash and Faraz Harsini, stand arms-crossed in a park wearing "Anonymous for the Voiceless" T-shirts. | Photo: Saturn Photography

Free Speech

Houston Police Arrested an Animal Rights Protester and Detained Him for 16 Hours, Lawsuit Says

Daraius Dubash was arrested for peacefully protesting in a public park. 

Emma Camp | 9.22.2023 4:29 PM

Suburban family home | Photo 10785446 © Ligonography | Dreamstime.com

Affordable Housing

A Brief History of Single-Family Zoning

California recently enacted legislation that invalidates single-family zoning, as an effort to increase housing supply. Other alternatives would be wiser.

Robert Poole | 6.10.2023 7:00 AM

A picture of downtown Houston and its surrounding neighborhoods | Nuedesign/Dreamstime.com

Housing Policy

Texas Bill Would Legalize Townhouses

The Texas Senate has passed two bills legalizing building homes on smaller lots and accessory dwelling units across the state.

Christian Britschgi | 5.15.2023 4:40 PM

The 2019 drug raid that killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas vividly illustrated the dangers of no-knock warrants. | HPD

Second Amendment

Texas House Overwhelmingly Approves Restrictions on No-Knock Warrants

Conservatives who support the bill recognize the conflict between unannounced home invasions and the Second Amendment.

Jacob Sullum | 5.8.2023 4:05 PM

ca-vs-texas-2

Homelessness

Why Homelessness Is Worse in California Than in Texas

Today, the Lone Star state counts 90 homeless people per every 100,000 residents. In California, the problem is almost five times as bad.

Liz Wolfe and Zach Weissmueller | 4.18.2023 11:10 AM

Harris County, Texas, prosecutors dropped drug cases that hinged on the word of demonstrably dishonest cops. But they still kept the cash those cops seized. | campaign photo

War on Drugs

Houston Prosecutors Are Keeping Cash Seized From Defendants Whose Cases Were Compromised by Police Corruption

Even in cases that hinged on the trustworthiness of demonstrably untrustworthy cops, people are still waiting to get their money back.

Jacob Sullum | 11.4.2022 5:10 PM

Breonna Taylor | selfie

Criminal Justice

Judicial Rubber-Stamping of Search Warrants Can Be Deadly

Lethal drug raids in Louisville and Houston were based on fishy police affidavits that turned out to be fraudulent.

Jacob Sullum | 8.10.2022 12:01 AM

Harris County, Texas, prosecutors dropped drug cases that hinged on the word of demonstrably dishonest cops. But they still kept the cash those cops seized. | campaign photo

Civil Asset Forfeiture

Prosecutors Who Want Credit for Investigating Police Corruption Are Happy To Steal Money From Innocent People

The Harris County, Texas, District Attorney's Office oversees civil forfeitures that make a mockery of justice.

Jacob Sullum | 8.4.2022 2:05 PM

Frederick Jeffery | HPD

Police Abuse

A Houston Drug Cop's Lies Sent This Man to Prison for 25 Years

The case shows how lax supervisors, incurious prosecutors, deferential judges, credulous jurors, and inattentive defense attorneys abet police misconduct.

Jacob Sullum | 7.22.2022 5:20 PM

Art-Acevedo-3-15-21-Newscom-2 | Matias J. Ocner/TNS/Newscom

Law enforcement

Top Cop Who Presided Over Deadly Corruption in Houston Loses His New Job in Miami 6 Months After He Was Hired

Art Acevedo provoked many complaints, but they paled in comparison to his prior record of negligence and obliviousness.

Jacob Sullum | 10.12.2021 3:35 PM

George Floyd | John Arthur Brown/Zuma Press/Newscom

George Floyd

A Pending Pardon for George Floyd Shows How the Drug War Gives Cops a License To Lie

Floyd was arrested for selling crack by a crooked Houston narcotics cop who repeatedly lied to implicate people in drug crimes.

Jacob Sullum | 10.6.2021 3:10 PM

Frederick Jeffery | HPD

War on Drugs

A Houston Man Framed on Drug Charges Is Suing the Lethally Corrupt Cop Who Sent Him to Prison

Otis Mallet's ordeal, like the deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, involved a fictional drug purchase.

Jacob Sullum | 8.20.2021 5:05 PM

topicsdrugs | Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle/A.P.

Drugs

A Phony Warrant, a Deadly Drug Raid, and a Barrel of Bad Apples in Houston

Did the city's "policies, customs or practices," invite Fourth Amendment violations?

Jacob Sullum | 4.22.2021 7:00 AM

reason-Roadbiden | (Illustration: Lex Villena) Mirko Vitali/Dreamstime.com, Gage Skidmore

Highways

Biden Administration Deploys the Civil Rights Act To Stop a $7 Billion Highway Project in Houston

The Federal Highway Administration is asking Texas officials to hit pause on a massive highway widening project while it examines whether it violates Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Christian Britschgi | 4.6.2021 1:00 PM

Art-Acevedo-3-15-21-Newscom | Matias J. Ocner/TNS/Newscom

Police Abuse

'The Best Chief in America,' Newly Hired To Run Miami's Police Department, Presided Over Deadly Corruption in Houston

Art Acevedo responded to a 2019 drug raid that killed a middle-aged couple with reflexive defensiveness and obstinate obfuscation.

Jacob Sullum | 3.17.2021 2:45 PM

Art-Acevedo-11-20-19-HPD | HPD

War on Drugs

Two Federal Lawsuits Say the Houston Police Department's Culture of Corruption and Impunity Killed an Innocent Couple

The families of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas say the city's policies and practices invited Fourth Amendment violations.

Jacob Sullum | 1.28.2021 9:10 PM

artacevedo_1161x653 | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Encryption

Houston Police Chief Tries To Blame Encryption for Failure To Uncover Far-Right Cops

Meanwhile, he’s still trying to downplay corruption within his own force.

Scott Shackford | 1.28.2021 1:45 PM

Harding-Street-house | Michael Doyle

War on Drugs

The Houston Cop Charged With Murdering Dennis Tuttle During a Disastrous Drug Raid Portrays His Victim As the Aggressor

After breaking into Tuttle's home with no legal justification, police killed his dog and his wife.

Jacob Sullum | 1.27.2021 3:00 PM

The 2019 drug raid that killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas vividly illustrated the dangers of no-knock warrants. | HPD

War on Drugs

Another Houston Cop Is Indicted for Murder Because of a 2019 Drug Raid That Killed a Middle-Aged Couple

So far a dozen narcotics officers have been charged as a result of the investigation triggered by the disastrous operation.

Jacob Sullum | 1.26.2021 3:40 PM

The 2019 drug raid that killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas vividly illustrated the dangers of no-knock warrants. | HPD

War on Drugs

Nearly 2 Years After Houston Drug Warriors Killed Rhogena Nicholas, Her Family May Get a Chance To Find Out What Happened

Despite the city's stubborn resistance, a judge will finally consider the family's request to depose police supervisors.

Jacob Sullum | 10.7.2020 3:45 PM

Art-Acevedo-DNC-cropped | YouTube

Police Abuse

The Democrats Should Not Be Presenting Houston's Police Chief As an Avatar of Reform

Trying to distract attention from the deadly corruption in his own department, Art Acevedo demands "action at the national level."

Jacob Sullum | 8.19.2020 2:15 PM

Gerald-Goines-and-Steven-Bryant | HPD

War on Drugs

Grand Jury Indictments Paint a Picture of Deadly Deceit in Houston Narcotics Division

The charges, which grew out of a lethal 2019 raid based on a fraudulent search warrant affidavit, suggest that cops routinely built their cases on lies.

Jacob Sullum | 8.3.2020 1:50 PM

Gerald-Goines-and-Steven-Bryant | HPD

Police Abuse

Phony Overtime, Fictional Drug Buys, and Mysterious C.I. Payments Offer a Glimpse of Houston Police Corruption

The charges against six narcotics officers reveal a culture of shady practices that led to a deadly drug raid.

Jacob Sullum | 7.3.2020 6:30 PM

Art-Acevedo-11-20-19-HPD | HPD

War on Drugs

New Charges and Audit Results Reveal Widespread Laxness and Corruption in the Houston Narcotics Division That Killed an Innocent Couple

Contrary to what Police Chief Art Acevedo seems to think, his department has a systemic problem.

Jacob Sullum | 7.2.2020 2:30 PM

Art-Acevedo-11-20-19-HPD | HPD

Police Abuse

Houston Police Chief's Record Belies His Reformist Rhetoric After George Floyd's Death

If Art Acevedo had any shame, he would be engaging in less grandstanding and more introspection.

Jacob Sullum | 6.7.2020 5:20 PM

Gerald-Goines-and-Steven-Bryant | HPD

War on Drugs

Prosecutors Back Dismissal of 91 More Cases Involving the Houston Cop Who Lied to Justify a Deadly Drug Raid

The announcement brings the total number of suspect cases initiated by Gerald Goines to 164 over 11 years.

Jacob Sullum | 5.25.2020 12:35 PM

Art-Acevedo-11-20-19-HPD | HPD

Police Abuse

Police Abuse Breeds Disrespect

Defensive official reactions to corruption encourage the attitude that troubles the attorney general.

Jacob Sullum | 3.4.2020 12:01 AM

Houston Hurricane flooding

Takings

Federal Court Rules Against Plaintiffs in Second Hurricane Harvey Takings Case

The ruling may well be both correct and consistent with the same court's earlier ruling in favor of a different set of plaintiffs arising from the same events. But the opinion does still have a few notable flaws.

Ilya Somin |The Volokh Conspiracy | 2.19.2020 9:56 PM

Gerald-Goines-and-Steven-Bryant | HPD

Police Abuse

Houston D.A. Doubles the Scope of Her Case Review Following a Deadly Drug Raid Based on a Phony Affidavit

After declaring another man arrested by Gerald Goines "actually innocent," the Harris County district attorney says prosecutors are re-examining cases going back to 2008.

Jacob Sullum | 2.17.2020 1:05 PM

KIm-Ogg-DA-office | Harris County District Attorney's Office

Police Abuse

Judge Finds That the Houston Narcotics Officer Whose Lies Killed a Couple in 2019 Framed Another Suspect in 2008

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg says it's reasonable to presume that Gerald Goines also lied in other drug cases.

Jacob Sullum | 2.3.2020 3:50 PM

reason-houston | Zimmytws/Dreamstime.com

Houston

Is Houston's Affordability Just a Myth?

A new article argues unconvincingly that the sprawling Texas metro is less affordable than ultra-expensive New York City after accounting for higher transportation costs and lower incomes.

Christian Britschgi | 1.21.2020 4:40 PM

reason-accordian | Michelangelo Oprandi/Dreamstime.com

Free Speech

Musician Sues Houston For His Right To Play His Accordion In Public

The city limits busking to its tiny Theater District, and it makes you jump through hoops even to play there.

Christian Britschgi | 1.16.2020 10:50 AM

Kim-Ogg-press-conference-1-15-20 | Harris County District Attorney's Office

War on Drugs

Grand Jury Backs Murder Charges Against Houston Cop Who Lied to Justify a Deadly Drug Raid

Additional grand juries will investigate possible wrongdoing by other narcotics officers, including the way the raid was conducted.

Jacob Sullum | 1.15.2020 8:00 PM

Art-Acevedo-11-20-19-HPD | HPD

War on Drugs

Handwritten Notes Document the Collapse of the Phony Story That Led to a Deadly Houston Drug Raid

Police Chief Art Acevedo's observations about the fallen nature of humanity are no substitute for reforms aimed at preventing such abuses.

Jacob Sullum | 12.9.2019 1:15 PM

Art-Acevedo-11-20-19-HPD | HPD

War on Drugs

Anatomy of a Drug War Crime

A deadly raid based on a bogus tip and a fraudulent search warrant affidavit highlights loose police practices in Houston.

Jacob Sullum | 11.27.2019 12:15 AM

Art-Acevedo-HPD | Houston Police Department

War on Drugs

Federal Indictment Says Deadly Houston Drug Raid Was Based on Lies From Start to Finish

The Justice Department says Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were killed in an operation based on a fraudulent warrant triggered by a false report to police.

Jacob Sullum | 11.20.2019 2:20 PM

art-acevedo-press-conference-2-15-19-cropped | Houston Police Department

War on Drugs

Houston's Police Chief Insists That Cops Who Executed a Deadly Drug Raid Based on Lies 'Had Probable Cause to Be There'

Although the warrant was based on a heroin purchase that never happened, Art Acevedo says, there was other, unmentioned evidence that would have justified a search.

Jacob Sullum | 9.1.2019 1:45 PM

Joe-Gamaldi-press-conference-1-28-19 | Houston Police Department

Police Abuse

Houston Police Union Finally Stops Backing Cop Who Instigated a Deadly Drug Raid With a Phony Affidavit

The Houston Police Officers' Union is no longer covering the legal fees of Gerald Goines, who faces two murder charges.

Jacob Sullum | 8.28.2019 1:45 PM

Art-Acevedo-HPD | Houston Police Department

War on Drugs

'I Still Think They're Heroes,' Houston's Police Chief Says of the Cops Who Killed a Couple During a Fraudulent Drug Raid

While the narcotics officers charged with murder and evidence tampering were bad eggs, Art Acevedo says, their colleagues acted "in good faith."

Jacob Sullum | 8.26.2019 3:35 PM

HPD-news-conference-drug-raid-suspect-photos | HPD

War on Drugs

Houston Narcotics Cop Who Instigated a Deadly Drug Raid Is Charged With Murder

Gerald Goines justified the raid, which killed a middle-aged couple, based on a heroin purchase that apparently never happened.

Jacob Sullum | 8.23.2019 5:25 PM

The 2019 drug raid that killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas vividly illustrated the dangers of no-knock warrants. | HPD

War on Drugs

'No One Will Hurt You,' a SWAT Officer Promised an Hour After Houston Cops Killed a Couple Falsely Accused of Selling Heroin

Evidence from the scene of the disastrous raid seems to contradict the official account.

Jacob Sullum | 7.26.2019 2:45 PM

Art-Acevedo-HPD | Houston Police Department

Police Abuse

In Deadly Drug Raid Case, a Texas County Refuses to Release Information It Has Already Released

Contradictory responses to a request for autopsy reports illustrate how law enforcement agencies take advantage of a broad exception to the state's public records law.

Jacob Sullum | 5.16.2019 12:00 PM

HPD-news-conference-drug-raid-suspect-photos | HPD

Police Abuse

Forensic Experts Find 'No Evidence' That Houston Narcs Who Killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas Encountered Gunfire As They Entered the House

The physical evidence at the scene seems inconsistent with the story told by the officers who conducted the no-knock drug raid.

Jacob Sullum | 5.14.2019 4:15 PM

The 2019 drug raid that killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas vividly illustrated the dangers of no-knock warrants. | HPD

War on Drugs

Houston Police Shot Man Killed in Fraudulent Drug Raid at Least Eight Times

Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, who was shot twice, were pronounced dead shortly after police invaded their home based on a "controlled buy" that never happened.

Jacob Sullum | 5.6.2019 12:45 PM

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason FacebookReason TwitterReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeReason ItunesReason on FlipboardReason RSS

© 2023 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.