HOUSTON — Residents in East Houston are calling on city leaders and police to increase law enforcement presence in their neighborhoods, citing a rise in crime and homelessness they say has worsened over the past few years.
Tensions came to a head following the fatal stabbing of a 77-year-old man earlier this month. Anival Elvir Ortiz was attacked Aug. 7 while riding his bicycle to work along an East Houston trail. He later died from his injuries. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Aaron Sheehan, was described by police as a transient. Authorities say Sheehan fled the scene on a METRO Rail train and was taken into custody six days later.
For longtime resident Mark Rodriguez, the tragedy was a breaking point…