Montgomery County Launches ‘Make Memories, Not Memorials’ Summer Safety Campaign
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, in a collaborative effort with local law enforcement, first responders, and community partners, hosted the 2025 Montgomery County Summer Safety Press Conference on May 22. The event launched a unified campaign, “Make Memories, Not Memorials,” urging families to prioritize safety during the summer months to avoid tragic consequences.
Held in front of the Montgomery County Medical Examiner’s Office, the location served as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with impaired and distracted driving, unsafe recreational activities, and child endangerment during summer.
District Attorney Brett Ligon opened the conference, emphasizing the collective commitment to protecting families, especially teenagers, during what he termed the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” “Parents, please hear me. As we begin the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, we cannot let their freedom become their funerals. That’s the first thing. The second is this—your teenagers are still your responsibility. They need your rules and your reminders,” Ligon stated.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough echoed the call for parental involvement, noting that teens are three times more likely to be involved in crashes during this period, with 60 percent of those caused by distracted driving.
Sheriff Wesley Doolittle announced heightened enforcement efforts, stating, “This summer, our department is increasing patrols on high-risk roads, especially late at night and on weekends. We will be conducting task force operations and cracking down on distracted driving and seatbelt violations—without exception.”
Chief Prosecutor Taylor Vanegas, who leads the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit, confirmed that the No Refusal Program would be in effect throughout Memorial Day Weekend. “We’re not just here to write tickets or make arrests,” Vanegas said. “We’re here for compliance and for safety. We want people to make it home.”
Summer safety reminders also came from Chief James Campbell of the Montgomery County Hospital District, who focused on preventing heat-related illnesses, promoting water safety, and encouraging CPR training. Chief Prosecutor Brittney Aaron of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit addressed the increased risks children face online during the summer. “Predators aren’t taking a summer break. They’re in chatrooms, on gaming platforms, and all over social media,” she warned parents.
Participating Agencies
The collaborative effort included:
- Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
- Montgomery County Commissioners Court
- Montgomery County Hospital District
- Woodlands Fire Department
- The Woodlands Township
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
- Montgomery County Constables from Precincts 1 through 5
- Police departments from Conroe, Magnolia, Oak Ridge North, Shenandoah, and Splendora
As families prepare for summer, Montgomery County leaders urge the community to keep safety a top priority to ensure the season is filled with “memories, not memorials.”
