Private security-police thwarting looters in Houston
Houston TX Sept 6 2017
Parts of Houston have begun drying out while other areas are still flooded by Hurricane Harvey’s massive amounts of water that have been left behind.
Looters have been hitting residences and businesses despite the crack down by overworked and tired law enforcement officers.
Private security forces have now been brought in to guard some neighborhoods and have set up checkpoints, mobile patrols and surrounded some areas to create “gated communities”.
West Houston neighborhoods are some that are still underwater.
“Very much a concern, these houses are wide open,” said Rick Turrentine.
The floodwaters are slowly receding back to the bayou they came from, but concerns over looters are going up.
“People have suffered, our neighborhood’s been devastated,” said Turrentine.
So folks here along Memorial near Eldridge are taking action to protect one another. For the next few weeks, these will be gated, guarded communities.
“We’re just neighbors,” said Daniel Fischer. “But if they’re not residents, I’m not letting them in.”
Homeowners are keeping crooks out.
“We managed to discourage them from entering,” said Robert Wiley.
And it’s been working. They’ve developed their own system to keep possible trouble out. And in Nottingham Forest they’ve gone one step further. They’ve hired private security at the main entrance and federal agents stand guard deeper inside the neighborhood too.
“This is not for sightseeing, not a tourist attraction,” said Turrentine.
Other areas have also formed a police and private security co-operative and are warning those who don’t belong there to stay out.
“This is Texas people are armed so be careful,” said Fischer.
