In this AP story on Katrina evacuees contributing to Houston’s increase in crime (yes, yet another story!), Harris County Judge Robert Eckels tells us the financial cost:
Judge Robert Eckels, chief executive of Harris County, which includes Houston, said Katrina evacuees arrested in the Houston have cost the county’s criminal justice system more than $18 million. In June, Texas Gov. Rick Perry sent $19.5 million to Houston to help pay for additional officers and overtime to police the city after Katrina.
And the human cost:
Houston police believe the evacuees are partly responsible for a nearly 17.5 percent increase in homicides so far this year over the same period in 2005.
But Judge Eckels is optimistic that the bad guys will soon be leaving town:
Eckels predicted the county’s worst guests will go home once their federal assistance dries up. And if many choose to stick around, the county will be ready: “We don’t put up with it here. If you break the law, you’re going to be prosecuted.”
I don’t know — as long as Houston pushes for handout extensions and FEMA grants them, this could go on for a while.
UPDATE: In the comments, Eric C. Carlson calls attention to some meticulous work he has done compiling crime statistics, available here.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS (08-15-2006): This story has reached the BBC. Do you know what that must mean? We are world class!
BLOGVERSATION: Misunderestimation.
(Old) Forum Comments (16)
