Celebrating 11+ years of exceptional community engagement and transparency
We’re thrilled to announce that the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in Texas has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Nextdoor Neighborly Award. This prestigious recognition, presented at the 2025 Government Social Media Conference Golden Post Awards session in Orlando, Florida, celebrates public agencies that exemplify excellence in connecting with their communities through Nextdoor.
Building Bridges Through Authentic Communication
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Nextdoor for over 11 years, consistently demonstrating what it means to be truly neighborly in the digital age. What sets HCSO apart isn’t just their longevity on the platform—it’s their unwavering commitment to authentic, transparent communication that builds real trust within their community.
“The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has been an incredible partner,” said Robbie Turner from Nextdoor’s Public Agency team. “Their dedication to engaging with neighbors in meaningful ways, especially during challenging times, represents the very best of what public agencies can achieve on our platform.”
Going Beyond the Badge: Humanizing Public Service
While many agencies focus primarily on crime and safety updates, HCSO has distinguished itself by sharing diverse content that humanizes the people behind the badge. Their posts showcase staff across all divisions—from patrol officers to jail personnel to dispatch teams—helping neighbors see the real people who serve their community every day.
This approach creates genuine connections between law enforcement and residents, fostering understanding and trust that extends far beyond emergency situations.
Leading Through Crisis with Transparency
HCSO’s commitment to community communication truly shines during difficult times. When flooding threatened areas near the jail, the department proactively updated neighbors about inmate and staff safety, visitation changes, and facility operations. This level of transparency during crisis situations demonstrates their understanding that neighbors want—and deserve—timely, accurate information about events affecting their community.
Their crisis communication approach has become a model for other agencies, showing how proactive transparency can strengthen community bonds even in challenging circumstances.
Innovation in Community Safety
Over the past year, HCSO’s auto theft unit has emerged as a standout example of specialized engagement. Their posts combine public safety education with engaging content that helps neighbors understand theft prevention while staying informed about trends affecting their area. These posts have generated significant positive feedback from the Nextdoor community, proving that educational content can be both informative and engaging.
Setting the Standard for Public Agency Excellence
The Nextdoor Neighborly Award recognizes agencies based on three key criteria:
- Posting consistency, quality, and performance metrics
- Following Nextdoor for Public Agencies’ best practices
- Effective use of Nextdoor and Alerts during crises
HCSO excels in all three areas, but their true achievement lies in understanding that social media for public agencies isn’t just about broadcasting information—it’s about building relationships.
A Model for Community-Centered Policing
In an era when trust between law enforcement and communities is more important than ever, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office demonstrates how digital platforms can bridge divides and create meaningful dialogue. Their success on Nextdoor reflects a broader commitment to community-centered policing that prioritizes transparency, accessibility, and human connection.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate HCSO’s achievement, their example serves as inspiration for public agencies everywhere. Their 11-year journey with Nextdoor shows that consistent, authentic engagement—combined with a genuine commitment to serving neighbors—creates lasting positive impact.
Congratulations to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the entire Harris County Sheriff’s Office team for this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for setting the standard for what it means to be truly neighborly.
The Nextdoor Neighborly Award is presented annually to recognize public agencies that demonstrate exceptional engagement and service to their communities through the Nextdoor platform. To learn more about Nextdoor for Public Agencies, visit nextdoor.com/agency.