Harris County Partners Celebrate One-Year Anniversary of Anti-Gang Injunction – December 12, 2011
One year ago, Harris County District Attorney Patricia Lykos made history by filing the first-ever civil injunction against gang activity in the county. The injunction created a 57-acre “safety zone” that encompassed the 700-unit Haverstock Hills apartment complex, neighboring elementary school, and local businesses. The solitary purpose of the injunction was to target known gang members and reduce the presence of criminal elements in the area.
The District Attorney’s office, in close collaboration with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Judge’s office, and special attorney Kim Ogg, has successfully prosecuted those individuals named in the injunction, creating a safer community for the county’s residents. Related results from the enforcement include reductions in other criminal activity such as drug dealing, robberies, and violent behavior. A report prepared by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office shows a subsequent 67% reduction in calls for service.
[blockquote]Haverstock Hills’ statistics show that the number of monthly service calls is now comparable with much smaller communities, of less than 200 units, in the Houston market. In a recent interview, Flynann Janisse said, “We do know that we have made a very aggressive success story out of what we have done in the service-enriched housing model via this collaboration and dramatically changed this community from the inside out.”[/blockquote]Join Equality Community Housing Corporation (Equality), proud owner of Haverstock Hills apartments, on December 13th at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and reinforce this partnership’s resolve to continue these efforts. The event will be held onsite at the Haverstock Hills Paggi Community Center, located at 5619 Aldine Bender Rd.
All are invited to attend. Remarks to be given by: District Attorney Lykos; Jeff Stauber with the Sheriff’s Office; host, Flynann Janisse, President and Executive Director of Equality; and community activist, Wendell Champion.
Contact Information
Justin M. Walker, Director of Business Development and Media
E-mail: jwalker@rainbowhousing.org
Phone: (480) 719-7498