Staying downtown (The Alden)- question about crime (Houston, Austin: hotel, high school)

[Southern Phoenician]

We are driving in from Austin tomorrow and made a reservation at The Alden. I read lots of reviews on the hotel and one review caught my eye. This person said there are a lot of homeless people in that area.

We have to valet park with this hotel (they charge $25/day) and it appears the cars are parked in an unsecured parking lot.

My question is-- is this a rough area with a lot of crime?

TIA!

[westhou]

There is a lot of homeless people in the area but that is true for every downtown in a city this large. I don't hear much about there being a crime problem. They are more just an annoyance because they ask for money. I usually feel safe when I go downtown.

[fitzy24]

There may be a lot of homeless people in the area but that's all they are....homeless. Unless, you don't like seeing homeless people, it shouldn't bother you.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by Austin Newby

We are driving in from Austin tomorrow and made a reservation at The Alden. I read lots of reviews on the hotel and one review caught my eye. This person said there are a lot of homeless people in that area.

We have to valet park with this hotel (they charge $25/day) and it appears the cars are parked in an unsecured parking lot.

My question is-- is this a rough area with a lot of crime?

TIA!

enjoy your stay

[texas7]

Just use some common sense .... I work downtown and a few years ago the homeless were homeless and you saw the same people every day and "sort of" got to know them. However, today myself and the majority of my co-workers (male and female) find many of the seemingly homeless to be scary. Many are mentally ill and others appear to be more criminally ill so you try and avoid them - they are much more aggressive and angry. That said, for the most part downtown is safe but you have to use common sense - don't be flinging around money, jewelry, purses -- keep that stuff close to you and private. That is the same as people should do in any public setting in a major-sized city. Have a good time.

[Wysiwyg]

well since the city is not a popular tourist destination the cops dont give the homeless a hard time to send them on their way and out of sight so they look like a major issue but I do not think they are criminals. i could be wrong

[ohmanon]

There's all kinds out there. My niece was stabbed in front of Lamar High School by a homeless person last year - broad daylight.

[Southern Phoenician]

Thanks for the info!!! Seeing homeless people doesn't bother me; I see them regularly in Austin. Someone had also mentioned a lot of bail bonding businesses in that area too and I just wanted to make sure we weren't staying in a really bad area.

The hotel has a driver (free) that we'll likely use to avoid getting ourselves lost. We don't plan on walking anywhere. Good to hear folks feel safe downtown.

[Hounative]

Would you go to New York City, Chicago or San Francisco and not get out and walk around to see all of the sights. Houston is no different. It is a very large city and probably has no more or less homeless than any other large city in this country. Don't let the homeless ruin your trip to the city. Get out and enjoy. The weather is supposed to warm up and will get better. Like someone else said earlier, just be aware of your surroundings and don't flash a bunch of expensive jewlery/cash around. Enjoy your trip to Houston.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by ohmanon

There's all kinds out there. My niece was stabbed in front of Lamar High School by a homeless person last year - broad daylight.

I remember reading about that in the Chronicle. I hope she is doing ok now.