December 3, 2002 5:55 AM

Vigilantism is not dead; it just moved to Houston

Weapon-toting neighbors declare war on local thugs

Houston police have never had a reputation for being overly responsive to community concerns- unless you happen to live in River Oaks or Memorial. It should come as little surprise, then, that a group of residents in Houston's East End have decided to take matters into their own hands.

A band of residents of an East End neighborhood, fed up with cowering on their porches, has decided to respond to street gangs with a two-by-four to the head -- and maybe worse.

The loose collaboration that includes dads, military veterans and young men who spurned gangs has gone on the offensive, patrolling for gang members and attacking at least one when they believed they had caught him committing a crime.

"If we have to use violence, we'll use it," said Frank Black, the posse's leader.

The group began enforcing its own brand of street justice recently after seeking help from city officials and concluding that they couldn't count on Houston police to keep their neighborhood safe....

Black takes issue with what he sees as neglect from the Houston Police Department and the Anti-Gang Office. Gangs have their way on East End streets, he said, urinating in yards, selling drugs in plain view and robbing homes.

From his porch, Black said, he has not seen enough police to deter the criminals.

On the one hand, I admire anyone who is willing to stand up for themselves and try to make their neighborhood a better place. On the other, a little vigilantism here, a little there, and pretty soon you have the potential for some serious chaos on your hands. Even so, if this is what it takes to get the attention of City Hall, so be it.

These folks don't live in $2-million country club homes, but they deserve to feel safe and protected. Let's hope that the Police Department takes the concerns of residents seriously and addresses them before someone gets hurt or killed.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on December 3, 2002 5:55 AM.

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