HOUSTON, Texas – Residents of a northside neighborhood off the Hardy Toll Road contacted 2 Investigates after seeing a series of violent confrontations in the area.
The neighborhood is across the street from Houston ISD’s Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology High School.
Residents, who asked not to be identified, sent us videos going back four years. The videos from neighborhood surveillance cameras show gunfire and brawls taking place just across the street from Sam Houston. Residents tell us they believe many of these problems stem from students leaving campus in the middle of the school day.
Other videos provided to 2 Investigates show HISD police officers trying to corral kids back to class, but few students seemed in a hurry to return to campus.
We also spent five days watching the campus, and saw numerous students leaving before the first lunch bell rings. The Sam Houston campus has a gate surrounding the entire area.
However, we saw many students walking off campus with an automatic gate open for an arriving car. Other students either squeezed through the bars, pulled the automatic gate open, or just jumped the gate.
After leaving campus, the students did not appear to have any particular place to go. Many hung out in the parking lot of a Family Dollar store, others sat at bus stops, along the sidewalk or wandered off into the neighborhood.
We also saw other students arriving well after the morning bell and crawling under the gate or jumping over it to get onto campus. We also found a set of doors built into the gate that had pieces of plastic over the latches to prevent locking.
2 Investigates asked for interviews with either the school’s principal or a member of the district’s senior staff to discuss what we saw and concerns from nearby residents. We received a written statement simply attributed to “HISD spokesperson.”
“Houston ISD is committed to supporting a safe and positive environment for all students. We value the partnership of families, staff, and community members as we work together to encourage student safety and responsible behavior at all times. Our campus officers remain vigilant regarding issues within the schools, and we work closely with our external law enforcement partners to address and prevent any concerning behavior,” the statement reads. “We encourage families to have ongoing conversations with their children about making positive choices and being mindful of their actions within the community. Houston ISD remains dedicated to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone in our schools and the broader community.”
We also spoke with Houston police and were told officers certainly respond to crimes in progress, and if time and resources permit, an extra patrol will be sent to the area. However, officers can’t arrest a student for simply being off campus during the school day.
State lawmakers decriminalized truancy 10 years ago, and two years ago, the Texas legislature banned municipalities from enforcing juvenile curfews.
The topics of truancy and chronic absenteeism are being debated in Austin this legislative session. As 2 Investigates reported, there has been a divide over whether stiffer punishments or more support will help get kids back to class.
Currently, 3 proposed bills are advancing through the legislature. The Texas Education Agency also launched a review of all truancy data reported to the state during the last four school years after a 2 Investigates analysis found discrepancies.
