Crime In The Heights

[ricco67]

Interesting figures, although I think the numbers are probably skewed a bit. 134 in 600,000 is not a bad number, more important is the neighborhoods where all this took place, if anything it was confined. That's not the case now so keep your head on a swivel when walking about. I stand by what I said and would rather be living in the 50's.

There were no drug dealers or gangs or cartels openly operating in the neighborhoods, I'm sure there were bad people out there but not on the scale you see today. There were some very bad areas in Houston in the early years but they stayed in their own territory and I'm sure if you could pin point all that mayhem you will see my point.

134 isn't a bad number as long as you're not one of the 134.

It's all a matter of context, just be glad that statistically, you will know your murderer if you do so.

Have that cheery thought as you eat at a friend's place or in a bar.

[dbigtex56]

What's the latest with the muggings while residents are walking their dogs/babies in walkers near Studewood? I know of 3 but my cousin says she's surprised it hasn't been on the news yet.

Perhaps it hasn't been on the news because it's not true.You "know of 3"? Please supply details.

With all respect for your cousin, some people are more fond of scandal than the truth; and people's fears are the birthplace of urban myths. I remain skeptical.

[JJxvi]

Its probably more like in 1950's the upper middle class utopia that everyone thinks of didnt give a DAMN about anything that happened if it happened to a poor a person. Plus they managed to make sure the poor were kept well away from where they lived.

[Materene]

Its probably more like in 1950's the upper middle class utopia that everyone thinks of didnt give a DAMN about anything that happened if it happened to a poor a person. Plus they managed to make sure the poor were kept well away from where they lived.

There were few "Poor" people then as we know them today, everyone was working after WWII with the exception of those that didn't want to work. Neighborhoods were mixed and people may or may not have had more money than a family living next door. When I was young a family that had an air conditioner was rich, at least in my mind they were rich.

Most of the crimes were not in the Heights I can say that with a lot of certainty. The Blacks had their own neighborhoods and the crime rates there were very high. This was a time or era before they could even ride the front of the bus so read into that what ever you like. I'm not making judgments here only trying to tell it like it was. If the crime was so bad then why were we kids allowed to ride bikes to the movies and be out after dark. I've walked North Main street at 10pm when I was 11 years old, the Boys Variety Club had events at Christmas and other times of the year and this was how most of us got there, we walked! There wasn't anyone out there trying to molest or kill us, as a matter of fact there wasn't anyone out there at 10pm. The numbers only say how many people died in the 50's , it don't say where they died or how they died, there is no comparison to the 50's and today, at least nothing that would actually confirm it was safer or not. That's the problem with statistics they have no human factor.

[LTAWACS]

I havent heard anything about them. I am waiting for them to fax me the report. I'll let you know ASAP.

[JJxvi]

There were few "Poor" people then as we know them today, everyone was working after WWII with the exception of those that didn't want to work. Neighborhoods were mixed and people may or may not have had more money than a family living next door. When I was young a family that had an air conditioner was rich, at least in my mind they were rich.

Most of the crimes were not in the Heights I can say that with a lot of certainty. The Blacks had their own neighborhoods and the crime rates there were very high. This was a time or era before they could even ride the front of the bus so read into that what ever you like. I'm not making judgments here only trying to tell it like it was. If the crime was so bad then why were we kids allowed to ride bikes to the movies and be out after dark. I've walked North Main street at 10pm when I was 11 years old, the Boys Variety Club had events at Christmas and other times of the year and this was how most of us got there, we walked! There wasn't anyone out there trying to molest or kill us, as a matter of fact there wasn't anyone out there at 10pm. The numbers only say how many people died in the 50's , it don't say where they died or how they died, there is no comparison to the 50's and today, at least nothing that would actually confirm it was safer or not. That's the problem with statistics they have no human factor.

The human factor is that middle class white people werent afraid back then and they are now despite similar levels of violent crime.

The rise of the news media is part of it. Ever notice how many stories are geared toward letting everyone know what they need to be worried about today? The Heights in the 70's is a good example of how the level of anxiety and the level of danger don't necessarily go hand in hand. By that time, things hadn't changed all that much, my Dad, an early/pre teen at the time, and his brother both tell me the same stories about riding their bikes all over town, being out late on the streets and not worrying about anything (my Mom is about the same age and also tells similar stories about how "times have changed"), although the neighborhood at that time was more lower middle/working class. In reality, there was a serial killer on the loose killing a bunch of kids most of whom were slightly older than my Dad and his brother were. Most of the victims were considered "runaways" (because they were just lower class kids) until they started digging up bodies. Of course, it was a news sensation and I'm sure a lot of people changed their mentality about keeping up with what their kids were up to in one stroke.

Some people might say that those events showed a change in the level of danger, but what they really did was expose danger that always existed.

Edited November 15, 2010 by JJxvi

[s3mh]

Most of the crimes were not in the Heights I can say that with a lot of certainty. The Blacks had their own neighborhoods and the crime rates there were very high. This was a time or era before they could even ride the front of the bus so read into that what ever you like. I'm not making judgments here only trying to tell it like it was.

So, the 50s were a great time in Houston for White people, but obviously, the 50s were a terrible time in Houston if you weren't white. African Americans lived as second class citizens in a segregated Houston. Texas Southern University was established in Houston in 1950 in order to try to keep African Americans out of the UT system after the US Supreme Court ruled that UT could not keep Heman Marion Sweatt out of their law school. It wasn't until the 1960s that Houston's Jim Crow laws began to fall under the pressure of sit-in demonstrations organized, ironically, at TSU.

I would take 2010's crime over 1950s Jim Crow Houston any day of the week.

[ricco67]

So, the 50s were a great time in Houston for White people, but obviously, the 50s were a terrible time in Houston if you weren't white. African Americans lived as second class citizens in a segregated Houston. Texas Southern University was established in Houston in 1950 in order to try to keep African Americans out of the UT system after the US Supreme Court ruled that UT could not keep Heman Marion Sweatt out of their law school. It wasn't until the 1960s that Houston's Jim Crow laws began to fall under the pressure of sit-in demonstrations organized, ironically, at TSU.

I would take 2010's crime over 1950s Jim Crow Houston any day of the week.

Let's not forget that mobility helps spread the wealth, so to speak.

And no, I'm not referring to the "gangstas" riding on metro. Almost anyone can afford a car..if you want to go that route.

[marmer]

So, the 50s were a great time in Houston for White people, but obviously, the 50s were a terrible time in Houston if you weren't white. African Americans lived as second class citizens in a segregated Houston. Texas Southern University was established in Houston in 1950 in order to try to keep African Americans out of the UT system after the US Supreme Court ruled that UT could not keep Heman Marion Sweatt out of their law school. It wasn't until the 1960s that Houston's Jim Crow laws began to fall under the pressure of sit-in demonstrations organized, ironically, at TSU.

I would take 2010's crime over 1950s Jim Crow Houston any day of the week.

A couple of other, now largely forgotten, issues about that time. Houston in the '50s may have been great for _some_ white people, but there was a virulent anti-Communist movement which approached hysteria and which considered Joe McCarthy to be a great American. Don Carleton's book _Red Scare!: Right-Wing Hysteria Fifties Fanaticism and Their Legacy in Texas_, relates this story very well. People whose political views were anything other that hard right wing were in jeopardy of job loss and persecution. There were a few people on the Houston School Board back then who seem to have been functionally insane. (I'm not kidding. One of the members was imprisoned for shooting her husband; this was only the last of her crazy shenanigans.)

Another incident which helped to begin the process of ending segregation was the Houston Symphony Orchestra League's refusal to engage the Texas Southern University chorus for a large choral work that then-conductor Leopold Stokowski wanted to program. This was around 1960; Stokowski was one of the most celebrated classical musicians of his era and his biographers point to this episode as the main reason for Stokowski's leaving the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

[Materene]

A couple of other, now largely forgotten, issues about that time. Houston in the '50s may have been great for _some_ white people, but there was a virulent anti-Communist movement which approached hysteria and which considered Joe McCarthy to be a great American. Don Carleton's book _Red Scare!: Right-Wing Hysteria Fifties Fanaticism and Their Legacy in Texas_, relates this story very well. People whose political views were anything other that hard right wing were in jeopardy of job loss and persecution. There were a few people on the Houston School Board back then who seem to have been functionally insane. (I'm not kidding. One of the members was imprisoned for shooting her husband; this was only the last of her crazy shenanigans.)

Another incident which helped to begin the process of ending segregation was the Houston Symphony Orchestra League's refusal to engage the Texas Southern University chorus for a large choral work that then-conductor Leopold Stokowski wanted to program. This was around 1960; Stokowski was one of the most celebrated classical musicians of his era and his biographers point to this episode as the main reason for Stokowski's leaving the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

Heh Heh, he was the forerunner of today's Politicians. This guy changed parties from Democrat to Republican, he dirtied and lied about his opponents, lied about his Military Service, lied about his personal finances etc etc... see where this is going don't ya. In the end the rigid stand on communist and communism was all done to gain popularity and votes for his diminishing popularity. I guess the Congress and Senate Houses are like a mold or virus, ya just can't disinfect them .

[aggie92]

So to get back on topic....were there any more details regarding muggings near Studewood?

[fwki]

So to get back on topic....were there any more details regarding muggings near Studewood?

Well, how about were there in fact any muggings near Studewood ? I live half-block off, walk the dog frequently along with most of my neighbors, and we haven't heard of any muggings nearby. And the dog-walking clique is half vigilante. About a week ago four police cruisers were "required" to arrest a drunken drifter riding a kid's bike aimlessly on Stude, but that's it, other than the post 2am DUI's.

Edited November 16, 2010 by fwki

[RedScare]

I see a couple of robberies back in Jan-Feb. Nothing recent.

[s3mh]

I think this might be a rumor based on an incident in September. In September, a guy was robbed while walking his dog along 11th. The bad guys took him back to his garage apartment and robbed him. They caught one of three robbers. I never heard about what happened to the other two. But, I have not heard anything about recent robberies along Studewood.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Apparently these folks are walking the wrong kind of dogs. Must be weiner dogs.

[marmer]

Apparently these folks are walking the wrong kind of dogs. Must be weiner dogs.

Heh. I certainly rarely felt safer than when I was walking a friend's German Shepherd. Very nice doggie. To me.

[Scott08]

Apparently these folks are walking the wrong kind of dogs. Must be weiner dogs.

Haha, I was thinking the same thing. I live right off Studewood and walk my 100lb "manly" dog every night. 'Cept for the other dogwalkers and occasional porch sitters, I rarely see or speak to anyone.

Edited November 17, 2010 by Scott08

[RedScare]

I think this might be a rumor based on an incident in September. In September, a guy was robbed while walking his dog along 11th. The bad guys took him back to his garage apartment and robbed him. They caught one of three robbers. I never heard about what happened to the other two. But, I have not heard anything about recent robberies along Studewood.

It was actually Pecore, near Watson, but close enough. That isolated incident is the only one I have heard about in the last several months, too.

[SilverJK]

It was actually Pecore, near Watson, but close enough. That isolated incident is the only one I have heard about in the last several months, too.

Yup. I believe the 900 block. They also robbed the homeowners of the house, who were about to go on a trip (labor day weekend). This was a very bizarre instance. Normally Pecore is pretty quiet other than tow trucks and cop cars flying down it going to/from 45. I've only heard a few car break ins, and someone stole my neighbors poinsettas, in the little over a year that I've lived on Pecore (and i live on the rough side closer to Main)

[Tricky Matt]

I think this might be a rumor based on an incident in September. In September, a guy was robbed while walking his dog along 11th. The bad guys took him back to his garage apartment and robbed him. They caught one of three robbers. I never heard about what happened to the other two. But, I have not heard anything about recent robberies along Studewood.

The sexual assault of a female jogger last month was reported in the news as in the Heights, near Studewood. I never got a full account of exactly where this happened. Was it on the new trail, or on the trail by the bayou??

And they caught the guy the next day.

[jamesw]

Trail by the bayou - where it heads up into the section of woods near King Biscuit.

[SilverJK]

Yeah, i don't understand why they said Studewood when it was much closer to Houston Ave. Maybe because its Stude Park?

[dalai]

My 100 lb wife walks our 85 lb German shepherd around the neighborhood, and most people cross the street to avoid them. haha!

But regardless, you just have to be very vigilant when walking around, whether it was in 1950 or 2010...and a little pepper spray can go a long way.

[HeyHatch]

Has anyone heard of mothers with children being mugged at the local grocery stores lately? I was told this was a new development, but surely there would have been something posted somewhere in here?

Edited November 22, 2010 by HeyHatch

[RedScare]

This can't be possible, as crime only occurs at Walmarts, and there isn't one in the Heights, yet.

[HeyHatch]

This can't be possible, as crime only occurs at Walmarts, and there isn't one in the Heights, yet.

You know when I asked that question, I was thinking, "Who is going to be the first to throw Wal-Mart in the mix?"

I am actually quite serious as I do my grocery shopping at that Kroger, and I frequently have my kids with me. While you can be a bit of a thorn in the side, Red, I also think you have definitely got your finger on the pulse of what is happening in the Heights. That being said, and knowing that I do respect you, have you heard anything about moms getting mugged at that Kroger?

[RedScare]

A search of the Houston Police Department crime statistics website reveals 1 robbery at a grocery store in the 1000 block of Shepherd on October 25. Obviously, this location would be the Kroger. Further, it occurred at 12:20 pm, so it is very possible that the victim was a mother. Looking at all of 2010, there have been no other robberies in the 1000 block of Shepherd. There was a robbery in the southern portion of that shopping center (900 block) in June, August and November, but none at Kroger, other than the single robbery in October.

Based on this information, I would flatly state that there is no evidence that moms with children are being targeted for robbery, as one incident does not a trend make. I have also heard nothing from the Heights grapevines. However, as the numerous robbery victims at Woodlands Mall can attest, no retail establishment is immune from robbery, and no person is immune, either. Pay attention to your surroundings. Tell your husband that you are hanging up the cell phone, as you are entering the parking lot and you must pay attention. If you see young men simply sitting in a vehicle, pay particular attention, as young men do not normally sit in shopping center parking lots and are also the most common robbers. If you feel you are being followed, do not leave the store, and alert management. I believe Kroger also employs a parking lot security guard. Have them escort you to the car.

I know this sounds cynical, but most crime victims could have prevented the crime by paying attention, locking their doors, etc. Criminals are opportunistic. Take away their opportunity, and they move on.

[HeyHatch]

A search of the Houston Police Department crime statistics website reveals 1 robbery at a grocery store in the 1000 block of Shepherd on October 25. Obviously, this location would be the Kroger. Further, it occurred at 12:20 pm, so it is very possible that the victim was a mother. Looking at all of 2010, there have been no other robberies in the 1000 block of Shepherd. There was a robbery in the southern portion of that shopping center (900 block) in June, August and November, but none at Kroger, other than the single robbery in October.

Based on this information, I would flatly state that there is no evidence that moms with children are being targeted for robbery, as one incident does not a trend make. I have also heard nothing from the Heights grapevines. However, as the numerous robbery victims at Woodlands Mall can attest, no retail establishment is immune from robbery, and no person is immune, either. Pay attention to your surroundings. Tell your husband that you are hanging up the cell phone, as you are entering the parking lot and you must pay attention. If you see young men simply sitting in a vehicle, pay particular attention, as young men do not normally sit in shopping center parking lots and are also the most common robbers. If you feel you are being followed, do not leave the store, and alert management. I believe Kroger also employs a parking lot security guard. Have them escort you to the car.

I know this sounds cynical, but most crime victims could have prevented the crime by paying attention, locking their doors, etc. Criminals are opportunistic. Take away their opportunity, and they move on.

Many thanks, Red. I knew you would have the info and the good advice to boot. I really do appreciate it!

[longhorn]

Late last night/early this morning I heard a helicopter, maybe more than one, circling overhead for an hour or more. It was very loud and I found it odd considering the time of night (probably around 4:00 a.m.). Did anyone else hear this, and does anyone know what they were doing? I couldn't find any news stories this morning which related to a helicopter search. On the same topic, it seems like there is some sort of helicopter flight path that goes directly over the Heights, because I seem to see and hear them a lot flying the same routes.

[goavs4]

I'm going to guess it was this:

Thieves Caught in Heights