It is a shame that the only way to get the city of Houston to take care of problems is to get the media involved.

John Whitmire promised many things, but thus far, I am not sure what promise he has kept.

Every morning I begin the day by drinking a cup of coffee and then go to my local TV news stations via their website. Today, like too often, I found numerous shootings, and Channel 13 with their report that the city took care of a problem within an hour after they got involved.

Why does it take the news media getting involved for the city to do something?

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Third Ward residents called Action 13 after a fire hydrant leaking for weeks turned into a geyser Thursday morning, flooding the neighborhood.

The fire hydrant is at the corner of Del Rio and Charleston, and thanks to Action 13, Houston Public Works was on the scene within the hour of our call.

Patsy Roberts often drives past the fire hydrant in Third Ward.

“Everyday! Everyday!” Roberts told ABC13.

Roberts’ daughter lives in the neighborhood where the leak is. During one of her daily visits in January, she noticed something was wrong.

“At first, it started as a trickle,” Roberts said. “Now you have flooding water here.”

She made a 311 report, but the leak continued until it became a gushing, muddy mess Thursday morning.

Action 13 contacted Houston Public Works, and within an hour, a crew arrived and shut off the water.

Houston Public Works confirms they have 311 requests about the fire hydrant in their system.