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Families and program leaders ask Houston to boost security at West Gray Multi-Service Center
Summary
Parents, program staff and council members raised safety concerns about the West Gray Multi-Service Center, saying increasing numbers of unhoused individuals and disruptive behavior outside the facility have created a potential risk to children and people with disabilities who use programs there.
Parents, program staff and council members urged the city on Feb. 4 to add security and staffing at the West Gray Multi-Service Center after multiple speakers said recent incidents outside the facility had raised safety concerns for program participants.
Eileen Edmonds, associate director of education for Theatre Under The Stars, said the River program and other activities for students with disabilities meet at West Gray and that "it's reached a tipping point" because people she described as unhoused and possibly mentally ill now regularly reside on nearby grounds. Edmonds said park rangers once contacted an individual and convinced him to leave, but that similar incidents have continued through the last 8 to 12 months.
James Blair, a nearby resident, said he had seen a "mentally disturbed individual" sleeping on the grounds and that the presence of people using drugs and refusing to leave had left neighbors and parents feeling unsafe. "I don't feel safe personally," he said, recounting his own experience being assaulted in public and noting the proximity of a playground to the center.
Deborah Quintero, whose son has attended the River program for 15 years, said parents rely on West Gray as a safe, accessible place that their children can reach by Metro Lift. She asked the council to consider enhanced security measures including locking gates at night, fortifying existing gates and assigning park rangers at opening and closing times. "I want West Gray to be a safe space for everyone," Quintero said.
Councilmember Kamen said he had begun calls after hearing community concerns and asked the parks director and other departments to help identify security options. Kamen said ideas included stationing a park ranger during key hours, improving gate security and coordinating with other city departments; he committed to working with Director Ponce and staff to evaluate solutions.
Speakers emphasized that West Gray provides unique services—often for elderly participants and people with disabilities who arrive early by specialized transit—and that any security changes should preserve a welcoming environment while improving safety. City council members said they would work with parks, police and the mayor's office to identify feasible, short-term steps and follow-up measures.
Ending
Council members asked staff to follow up with the community and to report back on options, including increased ranger presence, gate security and other measures to protect program participants.
