HOUSTON, Texas – The Washington Corridor has recently become the focus of a crime crackdown, with the Houston Police Department increasing patrols over the past two weekends.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has also joined in on these efforts to help increase safety in the area.
Coming up on KPRC 2 News at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Investigative Reporter Mario Diaz is looking into the uptick in crime in the Washington Corridor area, and how Houston Police and Mayor John Whitmire are tackling this issue.
Street racing and parking lot takeovers are among the issues authorities are tackling.
Stacy Fairchild, a resident of the Washington Corridor Memorial Park neighborhood, shared insights on the situation.
“Numerous fights, many arrests, street racing cars, and loud noise are pervasive problems,” Fairchild said.
The area, known for its vibrant nightlife, has seen noise issues escalate into more serious concerns like violence.
“Loud noise and rowdy behavior lead to violent crime,” Fairchild said.
She and her husband have been involved in addressing these issues since 2018, witnessing the impact on the neighborhood, including shootings and property damage.
Fairchild also mentioned the health concerns for residents, citing stress-related weight gain and sleep disturbances and well-being.
Efforts to collaborate with local businesses have been challenging. Fairchild mentioned attempts to negotiate noise containment with establishments, but agreements have not gone well.
“All we were asking was to contain the noise on your property,” she said.
Fairchild believes that cleaning up the Washington Corridor would benefit all of Houston.
“Addressing loud noise could reduce non-emergency calls to the police and allow residents to enjoy their evenings safely,” she said.
When asked about potential solutions, Fairchild emphasized the need for establishments to be considerate of the community.
“That would be a solution,” she said.