Houston Newsmakers Dec. 10: Sugar Land annexation, holiday crime, Houston homeless

HOUSTON – The city of Sugar Land will annex the communities of New Territory and Greatwood on Tuesday.

It means a population boost of 30,000 for the city. Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman said new city limits signs will go up the next day.

“We’re going to be putting those signs out and we’ve reached out and will continue to do social media, Facebook and others to reach out to our residents,” he said. “The goal is to make it as transparent as possible for these residents. We’re excited about having them and I hope they’re excited about being there.”

Zimmerman also discussed the city’s budget deficit of $1.5 million the city faces for 2018 and several other topics related to Sugar Land growth as one of the most diverse cites in the United States.

ALSO

The holiday season is mostly a happy time but thieves can make it miserable.

Senior HPD Officer James Sobota is a guest this week and says it’s a time of the year when we all have to be vigilant.

“What happens is criminals are watching you inside the store and following you to the next location,” he said. “They’ll actually break into your car through a lock or window, push the trunk release and steal your most expensive items.”

Officer Sobota gives practical advice we can all use to stay safe during the holidays and all year. Click the link to see an HPD video on the topic.

AND

Houston’s homeless population has been decreasing through the years but there is still much work to be done.

Marilyn Brown, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless Houston/Harris County, said the goals is to one day give every homeless person a better opportunity to get off the streets.

Homeless encampments that have sprouted up in a few places is a prime example of work that still needs to be done.

“It is bad for the person who’s living there and it is bad for the neighborhood in which those encampments exist,” she said.

Brown talked about solutions and what kinds of collaborative efforts are in the works now. 

Houston Newsmakers on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

•    Mayor Joe Zimmerman, city of Sugar Land, 281-275-2700, www.sugarlandtx.gov  Twitter: @Sugarlandtxgov   
 
•    Senior Officer James Sobota, Houston Police Department, 713-623-2020  www.houstontx.gov/police   http://bit.ly/2jCYuo2    Twitter: @Houstonpolice

•    Marilyn Brown, President & CEO Coalition for the Homeless Houston/Harris County 713-739-7514, www.Homelesshouston.org Twitter: @HomelessHOU