HOUSTON — Crime in Asiatown is a mixed bag over the past year. The good news is that violent crime is down, but nonviolent crime, particularly burglaries, are up.
On Wednesday, the Southwest Management District met with Houston police to hear the latest crime statistics.
The Welcome Food Center is home to one of the oldest shopping centers in Houston’s southwest side Chinatown, now called Asiatown. Private security and plenty of cameras are evident to deter crime. It's crime Leslie Huang notices.
“I get to see windows broken everywhere. (Crime) happened to me but my concern is that I feel like it’s just getting worse,” Huang said.
It’s not just a feeling. At the Southwest Management District meeting, HPD shared year-to-year crime statistics.
Violent crimes from murder to aggravated assault are down significantly. However, nonviolent crimes are up significantly. Burglaries of buildings are up nearly 56%, burglary of motor vehicles up nearly 9% and theft of motor vehicles up 10%.
Where are those BMVs and TMVs the highest?
“Top location for BMV and TMV is 9100-9900 Bellaire,” Southwest Management District Chairman Kenneth Li said. “This is where the Ranchester storefront is located.”
He’s referring to HPD’s Ranchester or Asiatown storefront. Li stopped by that police storefront just before the meeting and told attendees, “It was closed. On the door, it says ‘Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12 to 4 p.m.’ I have a picture. It shows it was 12:15. No one was in.”
HPD’s Chief Bashir, who joined the meeting by Zoom, said, “I will find out what is going on and get back to you by the end of business today.”
KHOU 11 News stopped by the storefront around 2 p.m. and it was open then.
Bashir got back to us and said the officer was running late that day and that it would not happen again.
The Southwest Management District is planning more safety seminars including one on guns. We’ll let you know when the information is finalized.