As if the recent “Meanest City” title wasn’t enough, Houston police are now rounding up the homeless to remind them that they aren’t welcome.
Complaints spark HPD to roust downtown homeless
— reported by the Houston Chronicle
Houston police today rousted dozens of homeless from downtown encampments in a sweep spurred at least partly by complaints from businesses and residents.
Beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing into the afternoon, officers ordered people to gather their belongings and leave locations where they had spent the night in Tranquillity Park, parking lots near homeless shelters and under bridges.
Although some complained, most complied, wandering off with what possessions they could carry. Police made no arrests during the early part of the operation.
Police Capt. Dwayne Ready said the sweep was part of a continuing, comprehensive homeless program delayed since August as the city dealt with the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Police plan to conduct similar operations every couple of months to prevent downtown camping, he said. The purpose is to respond to complaints, and to try to get the homeless into more permanent settings, Ready said.
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blogHOUSTON has some great relevant links about this, if you’re interested.
