Residents press for more patrols and accountability; allegations against a councilmember prompt calls for review

La Marque — Public comment at the April 22 meeting concentrated on public safety, neighborhood thefts and a series of allegations directed at a sitting councilmember that several speakers said warrant formal review.

Several residents praised the La Marque Police Department’s recent work and asked for more patrols in high‑crime areas. Jack Mazzola told the council, “I just wanna congratulate Chief Aragon, his staff, and all of our officers… they’ve been doing a really good job bringing crime down,” and urged neighbors to report suspicious activity. Multiple residents described recent car burglaries and suspected trafficking or game rooms; Cathy Heron Keith said recent patrols and proactive policing in neighborhoods have been visible and said she supports officers acting on low‑level traffic enforcement as a crime‑prevention tactic.

Other speakers raised formal complaints and allegations about Councilmember Joseph Lowery. Carl Beard told the council that community members have tried to lodge complaints about a councilmember and said he believes reports were not properly recorded; Harvey Freebird described alleged “stalking” behavior and urged a mental‑health intervention for the councilmember, saying: “This is not about politics. It's about public safety.” Pastor Tim Sykes announced he will file a formal complaint regarding a traffic stop and said he opposes what he described as “racial profiling.” Several speakers referred to social‑media posts and alleged harassment involving council business.

Council and staff responses: the mayor and city attorney cautioned that determining an elected official’s eligibility to serve is not a city‑administrative function but, in many cases, a matter for a quo warranto action handled by the county district attorney or the attorney general. City Attorney Gus Neville advised that private citizens may file public‑records requests and that any formal challenge to an official’s qualification typically must be brought by the district attorney, county attorney or attorney general. Councilmember Nance asked the city clerk to collect any official records; the council later considered and voted on a related procedural request (see separate item under agenda new business).

Why it matters: residents’ safety concerns and allegations against an official were a central theme of public comment; councilmembers emphasized both the need to address crime and the legal limits on the council’s authority to remove or disqualify an elected official.

What’s next: staff and the city attorney advised members of the public that complaints should be filed with the police department when criminal conduct is alleged and that eligibility challenges are legal actions that must follow statutory procedures.