HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Lucky Evening Food Store in southwest Houston has been open for 20 years under the same owner.
"It has gotten progressively worse in terms of crime over the last few decades, but these people were committed to the community," Loyd Neal, the attorney representing the owner of the store, said.
In March, the store, located in the 8900 block of South Braeswood, and property owners were hit with a common nuisance lawsuit by the city.
The lawsuit read there have been repeated incidents of delivery and possession of controlled substances, robbery, aggravated robbery, aggravated assaults, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and murder at the property.
"They are being sued because they supposedly, knowingly tolerate crime at this property," Neal said.
When Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston Police Chief Troy Finner announced the One Safe Houston initiative in February 2022, they vowed to file suit against businesses deemed as crime hot spots.
Neal and his client do not disagree that crime is bad in the area. In an exhibit filed in the case, they list the 720 incidents that happened within 1,000 feet of the food store from Jan. 1, 2020, to June 22, 2022. Employees have had their cars shot and there are bullet holes in the side of the building.
"I would argue that you can't go to the city and say that the employees of the convenience store can stop a bullet or should be liable for someone driving by and committing crimes and shooting people," Neal said.
The strip center is surrounded by apartment complexes and a homeless camp.
They have installed surveillance cameras, burglar bars, high-intensity lighting, and signage to prevent loiterers and trespassing affidavits, according to the store's attorney.
"They don't want that element present," Neal said. "They want the city to come in and provide the police protection that they pay the taxes for and protect them."
The store owner has realized that calling the police is actually detrimental to his business. With each call they make to police for help, they believe that it's another mark against them in the eyes of the city that has ultimately led to this lawsuit.
City of Houston sues to shut down corner store for not addressing crime in their area
Dem-run shithole strikes again.
That said property rights has always been a issue in TX when some municipality .gov wants to do with a property as it sees fit for "reasons".
*Sue victims for criminal nuisance.
*Victims stop calling police
*Crime stats drop
*City looks better in the news
*Politicians grandstand on reducing crime
*Politicians get reelected
"It has gotten progressively worse in terms of crime over the last few decades, but these people were committed to the community," Loyd Neal, the attorney representing the owner of the store, said.
In March, the store, located in the 8900 block of South Braeswood, and property owners were hit with a common nuisance lawsuit by the city.
The lawsuit read there have been repeated incidents of delivery and possession of controlled substances, robbery, aggravated robbery, aggravated assaults, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and murder at the property.
"They are being sued because they supposedly, knowingly tolerate crime at this property," Neal said.
When Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston Police Chief Troy Finner announced the One Safe Houston initiative in February 2022, they vowed to file suit against businesses deemed as crime hot spots.
Neal and his client do not disagree that crime is bad in the area. In an exhibit filed in the case, they list the 720 incidents that happened within 1,000 feet of the food store from Jan. 1, 2020, to June 22, 2022. Employees have had their cars shot and there are bullet holes in the side of the building.
"I would argue that you can't go to the city and say that the employees of the convenience store can stop a bullet or should be liable for someone driving by and committing crimes and shooting people," Neal said.
The strip center is surrounded by apartment complexes and a homeless camp.
They have installed surveillance cameras, burglar bars, high-intensity lighting, and signage to prevent loiterers and trespassing affidavits, according to the store's attorney.
"They don't want that element present," Neal said. "They want the city to come in and provide the police protection that they pay the taxes for and protect them."
The store owner has realized that calling the police is actually detrimental to his business. With each call they make to police for help, they believe that it's another mark against them in the eyes of the city that has ultimately led to this lawsuit.
City of Houston sues to shut down corner store for not addressing crime in their area
Dem-run shithole strikes again.
That said property rights has always been a issue in TX when some municipality .gov wants to do with a property as it sees fit for "reasons".
*Sue victims for criminal nuisance.
*Victims stop calling police
*Crime stats drop
*City looks better in the news
*Politicians grandstand on reducing crime
*Politicians get reelected
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