An uptick in homicides in Third Ward – defying local and nationwide crime trends – has worried local residents, who say they’re frustrated at how few answers they’ve gotten from Houston police about what might be driving the surge.
Residents’ frustrations were heightened by a May community meeting at which Third Ward residents said Police Chief Noe Diaz spoke about general increases in patrol but did not bring homicide or local patrol commanders who could answer questions about murders in the area, and come after Houston Police Department leaders disbanded HPD’s community affairs division.
Residents could once call the local patrol division and get updates about crime trends from the captain in charge, said Ed Pettitt, vice president of the Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood. No longer, he said…