Citizens and police join forces to fight crime

One area's efforts to aid police seen as model for others

Every day in Houston there are citizens who unwittingly become victims of crime. Whether through a chance incident, carelessness, or by the cleverness of some perpetrators, citizens are finding themselves more vulnerable to crimes in their area and in their own homes. Rather than giving in to fear, citizens can take steps to prevent crime by not providing opportunities for criminals and by taking steps to maximize security. But preventing crime takes more than an individual effort. It also takes community effort.

Parts of northwest Houston are currently experiencing an increase in crime. In response to what one politician has called "Houston's spiraling crime rate," residents in some areas have called for more police protection, and have complained about problems with gangs and crime near some apartment projects. Perhaps the northwest area might take a look at what southwest Houston has done to fight crime on a community basis.

The New Braeswood Revitalization Association is a non profit organization founded in 1993 to provide assistance and education to citizens of the Braes Oaks area. Initially, it was a cooperative effort between the City of Houston Planning and Development and residents to revitalize the area between South Braeswood and West Airport, Hillcroft and IH-59. Its main focus at that time was beautification and apartment relations. Today the Association includes not only Braes Oaks, but also all of Super Neighborhood 36, the Greater Fondren Southwest area, Houston Police Department District 17, and the new Braes Oaks Management District. Its mission statement reads: "We fight crime through beautification and environmental design." This concept of crime prevention is based on the premise that the proper design and effective use of such environmental features as landscaping, fencing, lighting, etc., can lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime.

Southwest Houston has faced significant challenges from decline and increased crime. The Association took on the challenges with many projects to improve the quality of life for all who live and work in the area. This has included planting trees, removing illegal signs, conducting major cleanups, removal of illegal dumping, and cleaning up schools. Following Hurricane Katrina, the Southwest area took in more evacuees than any other area because it had so many apartment projects. The Association decided it was more important than ever to keep the lines of communication open between apartment projects, the police, residents and businesses in the community. Ruth Hurst, president of the New Braeswood Revitalization Association, believes involvement with the police is key to area security. "You have to get to know the captain in the division and work with the police at the storefront," she says. "Residents need to go to the PIP (Positive Interaction Program) meetings and learn what the police need from citizens."

Currently the Association is working with Keep Houston Beautiful, HPD, HISD, the Jewish Community Center, nine apartment communities, seven home owners associations, and 400 businesses to write a grant to clean up the Bissonnet Corridor from S. Gessner to Hillcroft. In 2005 the Association undertook a campaign to buy a Mobile Command Station for HPD District 17. It distributed packets to businesses and potential donors explaining the need for the mobile unit and its benefits. The unit would provide enhanced contact with the community and in an emergency would serve as a command post in the affected location. Surveillance and tactical operations could be conducted from the Mobile Station. Its presence in high crime areas would increase police visibility and serve as a deterrent to crime. Through hard work and perseverance the Association was able to raise the money to purchase the Mobile Command Station.

The New Braeswood Revitalization Association acts as an umbrella organization for other community entities in the southwest area. It has an advisory board and a board of directors. It seeks both monetary donations and volunteers to continue its work and claims to keep operations costs at a minimum. One of its most effective contributions towards crime prevention is its organization of community meetings at HPD's Braeburn Storefront. It has organized three PIP meetings per month at the Storefront, including one for area apartment managers to discuss their security concerns. Three cluster luncheons are also held at the Storefront once a month to promote dialog on crime problems.

The success of the NBRA in involving the community in crime prevention and protection can act as a model for other areas of town that are experiencing rising crime. Since neighborhoods in the near northwest have experienced varying degrees of crime, the degree of crime prevention concern varies from place to place. There seems to be little coordination between neighborhoods. Crime prevention, however, should be a concern for every neighborhood. The PIP meeting for the North Division is held the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm. at 9455 West Montgomery. The Near North Storefront is located at 1300 West 43rd. The Near North Advisory Council, which raises money for the Storefront, meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The Northwest Division holds its PIP meetings at the Spring Branch Store Front at 8400 Long Point. Call 832-394-0100 for times. The newly formed Near Northwest Management District will also be involved in crime prevention and area security.

(Near Northwest Banner, November 2, 2006)