Third Ward residents decry violence, demand action against problem bars

Ambulances, crime scene tape and flashing emergency lights littered the corner of Blodgett and Ennis last Thursday after a five men were wounded in a gunfight outside Spivey’s nightclub. Third Ward residents are fed up with violence like this at area bars. “Sadly, this is just one example of a rash of shootings, violent acts and random gunfire,” said community leader Sharon Evans-Brooks. “We have reached a crisis and critical tipping point in the history of our celebrated, historic neighborhood… Enough is enough.” The Riverside Civic Association and MacGregor Super Neighborhood Association gathered Monday with residents, business owners, faith leaders and city officials to decry a surge in violent incidents, particularly at neighborhood bars and clubs, and call for action to curb the crime.

Many bars or clubs have little security and no parking, Evans-Brooks said, meanings crowds of club patrons park along residential streets in front of houses. Some older residents are afraid to drive down certain streets with bars, she said, and families often hear gunshots while feeding their children. After a violent incident at a bar or club, city officials should suspend the establishment’s permit until after an investigation is complete, Evans-Brooks said. The neighborhood associations are also calling for the city to deny permits to places without adequate parking and to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for violations of the city’s noise ordinance. They want the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to end perpetual liquor license agreements, according to leaders. Earlier this month, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a sweeping plan to allocate $44 million in federal relief funds to reduce violent crime, which officials say has increased in Houston since 2019. Other cities show similar trends in rising crime.