KTRK-13 has broken out the CrimeTracker to take a look at west Houston, and the results are grim:
We put our exclusive Crime Tracker to work, taking a closer look at what’s happening in district 20. It’s the portion of Houston’s west side loosely bordered by the Katy Freeway, the Westpark Tollway, Gessner and the city’s west border. Overall violent crimes are up 4.7 percent for the first eight months of 2006 versus 2005.
The greatest gain — murders. They’re up to 15 from 9 the year before. That’s an increase of nearly 67%. A third of the homicides in this part of town happened near Westpark and the beltway.
Aggravated assaults are also on the rise. They’re up to 380 from 330. That’s an increase of more than 15%.
Rapes are up slightly — 12%. Only robberies have decreased, and only by 4%.
Let us recall what Chief Hurtt said back in June when people were starting to take note of increased crime:
“Overall in the city of Houston, you’re pretty safe,” says Hurtt. “If you’re not involved in specific types of behavior, not out on the streets at particular times of night and particular areas of the city, you have a pretty good chance of not becoming a victim of violent crime in the city of Houston.”
And if you’re in west Houston, out on the streets, in the daytime, breathing — well, good luck!
