Centerville hears Forest Glen Neighborhood Watch update

CENTERVILLE — Centerville’s city council work session Tuesday night was a continuation of updates from a neighborhood experiencing homelessness and shootings.

During public comments at the Oct. 15 meeting, Forest Glen Neighborhood Watch founder Missie Ayers spoke again to council after appearing at the city’s Oct. 1 meeting. Previously, she and her neighbors brought concerns related to homelessness and shootings in her neighborhood.

She said since last meeting, there have been meetings with council and the city’s police chief and more police presence in the neighborhood, however, the shootings continue. Ayers said later the neighborhood remains concerned about shootings and wants answers and guidance.

“We continue to have calls to 911 for these gunshots. They’re still happening. They’re not every single night, but when they do happen, there’s more of them,” Ayers said.

She said the newly-founded neighborhood watch group strives to focus on more than crime.

“We are trying to inform as well about any events happening in Centerville, the weather, closings…” Ayers said. “We want to be more than just a police watch.”

She said meetings will include a monthly report and the group will also bring other issues to light, such as problems with infrastructure. She is also hoping for help from the city.

“We’re hoping the city council will kind of help us spread the news, so to speak, of our neighborhood watch, so that we could grow and be stronger,” Ayers said.

Talking about homelessness, Ayers said she has met with Brian Wise from the Greater Houston Coalition, an initiative created to serve the county’s homeless population. Mayor John Harley also serves in the coalition.

Ayers also explained their concern wasn’t ill will toward those facing homelessness. She said the concern is more geared toward cleanliness.

“We sounded like we were being mean to the homeless and not wanting them there was something [mean] out of it, but it’s not,” she explained. “We want to keep the area clean.”

Harley responded first, explaining why he joined the coalition and thanking Ayers for attending the meeting.

“I was concerned, very concerned, by all the homeless around here and how they were starting to get in places we dont want them. Police does a great job to be aware of them,” Harley said, adding later, “My heart still goes out to a lot of them out there. A lot of them just can’t help it.”

Councilman Edward Armijo responded next, thanking Ayers for founding the neighborhood watch group and thanking the police department for taking initiative.

“I think that’s the right direction. I know that working closely with our law enforcement, police department, that we’re going to be able to make a difference. It’s just one day at a time,” Armijo said. “As long as we continue to forge that direction, I think your community will see a better day.”

Councilman J. Micheal Evans also responded, saying the police department will strive to be as transparent as possible. Police Chief Cedric Duncan added he can forward concerns that fall in Houston County’s jurisdiction to the sheriff’s office.

Harley also encouraged the neighborhood to communicate with concerns as they arise. Ayers said the group is establishing a liaison.

“[People] will see it, complain about it, and then wonder why we haven’t done anything, like we can read their minds,” Harley said.

Also on the agenda was a proclamation for Mayor’s Reading Club Day, amending the contract for a city administrator position to start on Oct. 1, adding a light equipment operator and utilities superintendent position to the utilities department, and approving a stipulation for grant funding that specifies that Center Park must be used for recreation indefinitely.

To view the full meeting and supporting documents, visit the city’s Facebook.

The next Centerville City Council Meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m., at Centerville City Hall, 300 E. Church Street.