HOUSTON – As Houston gets ready to celebrate Pride Weekend—with Beyoncé in town, Astros games on deck, and one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods in the spotlight—some in Montrose say what’s happening outside the celebrations is getting harder to ignore.
Their biggest concern? Car break-ins.
“It’s becoming a car break-in kind of vibe here,” said Paige, who’s visiting Montrose from out of town with friends. “We were just walking around last night and saw someone drive by twice slowly, like they were watching us. It felt sketchy.”
They’re not alone.
Residents told KPRC 2 they’ve seen broken glass scattered across streets, suspicious activity late at night, and little police presence in areas just blocks away from busy bars and restaurants. A stretch of Crocker Street, in particular, was repeatedly mentioned by several people we interviewed.
“It shouldn’t be normal to come out and see glass under your car,” said Diego Sanchez, who has lived in Montrose his whole life. “People shouldn’t have to worry about that—especially in a place like this. It’s beautiful, but that part takes away from it.”
Crime Numbers Support What Residents Are Saying
According to 2025 data from the Houston Police Department, the 77019 ZIP code has already logged:
- 150 thefts from motor vehicles
- 46 cases of shoplifting
- 44 larcenies
- 38 reports of vandalism
- 24 burglary incidents
Vehicle break-ins are by far the most commonly reported crime in the area this year.
KB Brown, who manages several parking lots in Montrose, says she’s seen it first-hand.
“Just last weekend, we had four cars broken into in less than 30 minutes,” Brown said. “And that’s just in one spot. I run six different lots. We clean up glass every other night.”
She says one of the biggest frustrations isn’t just the loss—but how helpless many people feel afterward.
“We have people who don’t even call police anymore because it takes hours,” Brown added. “And when they do come, the criminals are long gone. I’ve had people tell me straight up: ‘They won’t listen to me because I’m not in uniform.’ But if you post someone in a uniform on the corner, everything changes.”
KPRC 2 Took Those Concerns to Constable Alan Rosen
After hearing from residents and local workers, KPRC 2 contacted Constable Alan Rosen with Harris County Precinct 1. He said he wasn’t aware of the issues on Crocker Street until we brought them to his attention.
“There’s a lot of things I can do,” Rosen said. “We currently have 155 undercover cameras placed around the city. We could install one here or deploy tactical patrol teams. But sometimes things get overlooked until someone brings them up—so I really appreciate the community and the station for doing that.”
Rosen says he and his team are working closely with Houston Police Department to keep Montrose secure during this high-traffic weekend.
“Between Pride, the Beyoncé concert, and the Astros—it’s going to be a huge weekend,” Rosen said. “We’ll have a large law enforcement presence. And I’ll be very clear—if someone is planning to come here with bad intentions, they’re going to jail.”
He urged visitors to be proactive about safety:
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight
- Park in well-lit areas
- Travel in groups
- Have a plan before going out
“Go out with friends who’ve got your back,” Rosen said. “And when you park, don’t be texting right away. Look around. Scan your surroundings.”
Residents Still Want More Visibility—Not Just This Weekend
While Rosen’s office is now looking into the issue and has promised a greater presence for the weekend, some residents say they hope this isn’t just a temporary fix.
“We see this year-round,” KB Brown said. “Pride and Beyoncé bring attention, but what happens when everyone leaves? That’s why we need lights, signage, foot patrol—not just for one weekend, but all the time.”
She added that her team has already installed private cameras in her lots and is considering hiring additional guards—but says law enforcement visibility makes the biggest difference.
“If people see a badge, it makes them think twice,” she said. “And if you care about the community, this is when you show up.”
Final Word
Constable Rosen estimates “hundreds of thousands” of people will pass through downtown and Montrose this weekend.
“It’s going to be a test for the whole city,” Rosen said. “But we’re ready. We’re going to show Houston—and the world—that we know how to celebrate safely.”
As for residents like Brown and Sanchez, they’re hoping that’s not just a promise—but the start of a more consistent, community-centered approach to public safety.
