Houston Crime??
 

I had read that since Katrina and all the people were brought in and never left that the crime is really high. Is this true?

Thanks

Houston's homicide rate has nearly doubled recently and, yes, much of the spike has been attributed to Katrina victims.

http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime....n&state=TX

An article from the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...020500884.html

For some areas, crime rate is indeed higher. But overall rate is about the same 2006 vs 2005.

Homicide rate, however, shot up a lot, and indeed many involve Katrina evacuees.

Anyways, those are the numbers. Now, what you really want to know?

I think a lot of it depends on which part of the city you're in - the southwest part of town in particular seemed to have a big increase in crime.

Yikes. I was hoping it was just a rumor. We are relocating to Texas and I was trying to decide on which area is best Austin/San Antonio or Houston. I guess you folks answered it for me.

Why aren't they going back to New Orleans? I am guessing they are just on welfare and have no jobs?That's a shame.

Thanks!

It's silly to compare overall crime rates when you are considering relocations. It's all about which area you're trying to live in and where you hang out.

There are very safe areas in Houston, and there are very unsafe areas in Houston. Same for Austin, San Antonio, and anywhere in the world.

Why aren't they going back to New Orleans? Are you serious?

red, by virtue of the fact that Houston is so much larger than Austin or San Antonio, there is more crime. There are plenty of nice areas in Houston that feel very safe.

Some of the Katrina folks have settled in very nicely - one even bought a townhouse my husband and I were selling and another bought one of our cars. You can't assume they are all on welfare. Really there are safe and unsafe areas of most cities. Anywhere there are people, there's going to be some element of crime.

red, I believe I read in another of your posts that you're in the medical field. Hope I'm not confused, but if this is the case, Houston has an outstanding medical center and MD Anderson hospital; I would think Houston would present a lot of wonderful job opportunities in your field. Also amazing restaurants, theater, museums - I wouldn't let crime statistics deter you; just carefully research the area of town you'd like to live in.

Hi redrockglass! Just saw this thread and wanted to respond.

As a 30-year resident of Houston, I can speak pretty authoritatively on this. (Also, my husband is a retired cop.)

Firstly, Houston, square-mileage-wise, is ginormous. If you stay out of, and don't buy a home in, the parts of town that are high in crime, you will be more than fine!

Also, risking being politically incorrect here, it seems that they are all busy in the Southwest part of the city killing and robbing each other. Here in my area of town (Memorial), we have very, very little crime!

The three cities you mentioned are as different from each other as San Francisco is from NYC. If you like a large, diverse city with great shopping, fabulous museums, unbelievably delicious restaurants of every cuisine imaginable, then Houston is for you!

I can't emphasize enough what a wonderful city Houston is (and I grew up in Dallas). Just stay out of areas with a large concentration of apartments, as that is where the crime is concentrated.

If you are going to look for a home here, let me know and I will help you with areas of the city that are beautiful and safe!

Jo, you are spot on; I agree with everything you said 100%.

red, are you looking to buy a place or for an apartment? If you are looking to buy then har.com is a great site where you can see pictures and prices of homes/condos/and town homes.

Also, you can get crime reports on different areas of the city online and see what's going on in any area that interests you.

If you're looking for an apartment, I would personally avoid the Southwest side. Best of luck in your search! Houston is a wonderful place.

Red;

Regardless of where you end up relocating, make sure you take a few days and visit New Orleans so you can understand "why aren't they going back"...

Good luck!

Try www.incidentlog.com.

thats pretty bad when you think about it. houston extended a helping hand in a time of dire need and rolled out the red carpet for those needing a new home. ..and now, from what im reading here, a large contributing factor to houston's spike in recent crime waves is attributed to katrina victims??..thats like biting the generous hand thats feeding you. any katrina victim found guilty of such behavior, should be forced back to "nawlins", no doubt about it.

redrockglass

Well - you can't force people to live anywhere - no matter what city they came from. If people are convicted of a crime, naturally they will be in prison.

but to suggest that everyone who left New Orleans simply go back - when for many everything they had (including family) is gone - is not only incredibly cruel and hard hearted - it's just plain silly.

Is everyone displaced as the result of a natural disaster (compounded by the complete ineffectiveness of government aid at all levels) to be put back where they were - like it or not?

Are people unlucky enough to be born into bad neighborhoods to be forced to spend their entire lives there - no matter how hard they work, how much they earn - and that they can now afford to live anywhere?

Is your brain functioning at all? Never mind your heart?

Wow redrockglass-can't believe you even said that about going back to New Orleans? Like others said-just spend a few days there to see what it's like. Businesses need workers but there is no place to live, hospitals and schools are still in shambles. As nytraveler said, these people lost everything and no one has been rushing to help them get it back.

Granted criminal activity should be halted of course whether it's in Houston or in New Orleans.

And while there are jobs, there aren't enough jobs for everybody. Hell, there weren't enough jobs for the population BEFORE Katrina.

hi guys
I am moving to houston this fall
and am going to study at UH main campus.
I am in a bit of a quandry since I don't want to live on campus and I don't know which areas of houston its safe to live in. I don't have a car though I am planning to buy one soon( in the next 3 months) . Could anyway tell me about any apartments in a safe neighborhood of houston. I will be sharing it with another student. Price is not really an issue but safety is . Thanks a lot!!

Well done, NyTraveler & Paula! I second that!