In an effort to address the rising crime rates in Houston’s popular nightlife district, Washington Avenue Corridor, Mayor John Whitmire announced a new law enforcement initiative.
“Public safety is our highest priority, and if we don’t make people feel safe and be safe, hold bad actors accountable, probably nothing else matters,” Whitmire said, as KHOU reported.
The initiative will see additional police presence patrolling the area, especially on peak weekend nights, with the goal of enforcing laws and increasing safety for both residents and visitors alike.
Aside from focusing on violent crimes, such as shootings and assaults, the initiative also aims to curb drunk driving and excessive noise, two prevalent issues in the area.
“We’re actually going to enforce the laws there, whether it be sound, DWIs, you name it,” the Mayor stated in the announcement on KHOU. Enhanced cooperation among different law enforcement agencies, including the Houston Police Department, the METRO Police Department, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, is key to the strategy’s success, and they plan to be vigilant in addressing these issues over the coming weeks.
Despite the primary focus on crime reduction, some of Mayor Whitmire’s remarks during a recent press conference have sparked controversy.
Whitmire’s comment about wanting club owners to keep their “barely clad young ladies off the street” was met with disapproval from local business staff who believe patrons’ and employees’ attire is not a concern for public safety, ABC13 reported.
This aside, the larger emphasis by city officials and law enforcement remains focused on the broader issues of crime and resident safety.
Addressing the practical measures taken by local establishments, Sean Foskey, a partner at the soon-to-open restaurant Rain HTX, highlighted the efforts to minimize noise pollution.
“We soundproofed the walls. We put foam in the walls. We set our amps at a certain volume, and no matter who comes into DJ or turns the music on, they can’t go past a certain volume,” Foskey told ABC13. While acknowledging the challenges that come with operating in a mixed social and residential zone, he suggested that direct conversations may yield better results than enforcement crackdowns.
“I want, not only the neighborhoods to know that we’re not going away, but I want the bad guys to know, we’re here to stay,” Mayor Whitmire concluded on KHOU with determination in his plan to make enduring changes in the area.
