What's the real deal on crime in Pearland? (Houston, League City: hairstylists, crime rate)

[texas7]

Okay - lets hear the real deal on uptick in crime in Pearland (288/518 area). A friend who works in Pearland (not in retail) was told by several co-workers to avoid doing business in the 288/518 "they're robbing you in the middle of the day over there" by longtime residents. Granted, Pearland, before the population explosion, was pretty much crime free so any new crime is an uptick but for those who live in that area - the crime may seem pretty much the same as anywhere else -- but for longtime residents of the area, they may be the ones to really give honest insight to the changes ... so how is it really? A co-worker of mine who currently lives in the area commented that he hoped that they'd have some good security at the new Town Center Mall...............

[jfre81]

There was next to nothing in that part of Pearland 10 years ago. It's really just an outlying area that Pearland annexed for revenue purposes (e.g. speeding tickets on 288). Now there's loads of people going there bringing money for shopping.

Crime follows people, plain and simple.

[dcoolbro]

i'm a fairly new resident, but i've never felt unsafe in any part of Pearland. Hopefully crime doesn't get out of hand. I read that Pearland is one of the fastest growing suburbs not only in Texas, but the country. So I guess an increase in crime is to be expected with such fast growth.

[honeyinhouston]

I shop in that area all the time. I've never been a victim, however I am careful WHEREVER I shop, whether Pearland or Houston. I can tell u this, I was approached coming out of Kohl's about 6 months ago by a guy asking for $5.00. I told him no and quickly walked to my car. He also approached other females leaving Kohls. My husband has also been approached at a gas station on FM 518 by a man "asking" for money as well. Just be careful wherever u shop.

[Texas Mack]

Are we talking nominally or as a percentage?

Let's say that that part of Pearland has brought in 30K - 40K new residents. I highly doubt anyone should expect that many residents to arrive without some element of crime arriving with them (we're talking about humanity after all).

It all needs to be put into perspective. I'd like to see what the per capita crime rate is and compare it to places like Sugarland or League City.

[jfre81]

To be clear, being asked for money does not make you a crime victim. I was sitting in the Best Buy parking lot down there last year and someone came up to me and asked for $10. Yes, ten dollars. Compare to the spare change I get asked for downtown. (Houston, not Pearland.) People are going to hit you up for money. You may not think about it much, but you're probably not all that far away from their situation - injury, loss of a job, what-have-you. You don't have to give them anything. If you feel like you need to, carry some sort of self-defense. Just don't expect any help from anyone else. The Pearland cops are too busy pulling over speeders on 288 to deal with panhandlers and such, because that generates revenue for the city.

I'd be more concerned about the people getting robbed and driven to ATMs at gunpoint before worrying about people just begging for money.

[honeyinhouston]

Originally Posted by jfre81

To be clear, being asked for money does not make you a crime victim. I was sitting in the Best Buy parking lot down there last year and someone came up to me and asked for $10. Yes, ten dollars. Compare to the spare change I get asked for downtown. (Houston, not Pearland.) People are going to hit you up for money. You may not think about it much, but you're probably not all that far away from their situation - injury, loss of a job, what-have-you. You don't have to give them anything. If you feel like you need to, carry some sort of self-defense. Just don't expect any help from anyone else. The Pearland cops are too busy pulling over speeders on 288 to deal with panhandlers and such, because that generates revenue for the city.

I'd be more concerned about the people getting robbed and driven to ATMs at gunpoint before worrying about people just begging for money.

You're right, being asked for money does not make u a crime victim. However, being asked for money can quickly turn into a "demand" for money. Honestly, I do not like being randomly approached by strangers in any parking lot. I quickly walk away from strangers.....sorry that's just me.

[texas7]

The only one I know of for sure happened many months ago and that was my hairstylists sister almost being forced into her car at 10 a.m. at the Target in what appeared to be an attempted carjacking but it was foiled.

[sherryaggie02]

I've never felt unsafe. I've even left my car unlocked by accident with the windows down all night and cash sitting in the console and the next day it was still there.

[texas7]

Have two co-workers in the 288/518 area - they don't feel comfortable at the HEB - and both said rather than fight the crowds on 518 and the sometimes unsavory persons that they'd rather just hop on the freeway and hit the Galleria rather than the new outdoor shopping mall. I was rather surprised to hear that.