HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Second Ward residents are demanding police do something about all the vagrants they say have flooded their neighborhood in the last year.
The issue is getting renewed attention after 77-year-old Anival Ortiz was stabbed to death on the Harrisburg Hike and Bike Trail on Aug. 8 by a man court records list as homeless.
Multiple Second Ward residents told Eyewitness News vagrancy has become a problem along the trail and along Harrisburg Boulevard.
“There are people out here doing some dirty things that shouldn’t be done in front of a woman,” James Carroll said.
“I wouldn’t allow my wife to walk down that trail knowing that she’s gonna get harassed by these men,” Mark Rodriguez, president of the Oaklawn Fullerton Civic Association, said.
Although the politicians who promised to address the homeless problem in the East End Community, caused by the Greyhound relocation, were more numerous than Whitmire and Trevino, these two individuals can offer the most significant assistance. Trevino is the Constable in that area and certainly has constables who could do a better job patrolling there. Still, I believe that the more affluent neighborhoods and businesses get the constables’ protection first.
Whitmire, as Mayor, could certainly get HPD to help with patrols, given their Magnolia HPD Station is nearby.
The one person who has been helping is Council Member JOAQUIN MARTINEZ.
In response to neighborhood concerns, Martinez has pumped tens of thousands of dollars of his council district funds into additional, overtime patrols from police. Moreno said the added sweeps have given her some sense of security. Source
State Representative Christina Moreno is right. Why should the council member be spending money when the Mayor and the Constable for the area have much more resources available to help the area with crime?
