The District of Houston cannot control who may be moving to the community, Mayor Shane Brienen said during an exchange with a community resident during the public input portion of the Nov. 5 council meeting.
Bibs Dallaire told council the community can no longer be considered safe.
"Is there going to be a curtailment on how many homeless people and drug addicts we're letting in .... at risk people ... let's be politically correct ... because I know of three people that already left town because they can't keep their stuff safe in their own yard and it doesn't seem to be getting any better," Dallaire said.
"Now, you walk through this town at night, you don't feel safe. You have people hassling you for money and you can't leave stuff in your own carport anymore? So what is being done to make this town safe again?"
Brienen told Dallaire he had no answers for her, adding the District cannot dictate where people go or don't go.
That did not satisfy Dallaire who said she believes people are being bused to the community and wanted to know where they are coming from.
"I don't believe that's happening," Brienen replied of people being bused here.
He did say, however, people might be attracted to the community because of its relatively low rental rates compared to elsewhere.
"And I have no control over who the renters rent to," Brienen said.
He did add he was surprised that people come to the community because it does not offer the number of services other communities can.
"But I can't tell you why they're choosing to come here and where they're coming from," the mayor continued.
Dallaire's comments during the public input session continues the tradition of the District of providing residents the opportunity to speak for up to 15 minutes on any topic they choose at the start of every council meeting.
The council is not obligated to respond but councillors and the mayor can if they wish.
The public input session is separate from a person, business or group appearing as a delegation, something that requires approval accompanied by being included on the meeting agenda.
"The goal of a delegation is to provide detailed information, make a request, or present arguments for council’s consideration regarding specific projects, concerns, or community needs," indicated information provided by the District.
