Some families changing Mexico holiday travel plans due to cartel violence

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The holidays are a time for families to come together, but when your loved ones live south of the border it can give you pause. With drug-related violence still a major concern, some families are changing their plans.

At the Mexican Consulate in Houston, the lines are always long; and during the holidays, even more so, with people going home to visit their families.

"They spend Christmas there and also New Years is a very important date for Mexicans," said Fernanda Villanueva with the Mexican Consulate.

The problem is getting there safely for those who travel by car. Cartel violence is ongoing and the military has been sent in to some areas after Mexican police officers were killed this month. The consulate provides a list of travel safety recommendations to those going home. Even so, Eddie Aragon says there's still a risk and fewer people are willing to take it.

"There aren't as many vehicles as there used to be and the other thing, the place where you're going, not as many of them; not half of the vehicles that used to," Aragon said.

Carmen Aguillar is one of those who's decided to let someone else do the driving after a bad experience across the border.

"I think it's better and more sure to travel by bus," said Aguillar.

Apparently more people are. It's a busy time of year for bus companies that serve cities in Mexico. It's the way this cab driver travels home.

"I take a bus. I don't take no money, no nothing," said Alfonso Vasquez.

The Mexican Consulate recommends not taking a lot of presents if traveling as that might attract unwanted attention and invite problems. And that, says Vasquez, is "pretty sad, I hope soon it gets better."

The consulate says there will be additional federal police on duty at checkpoints to assure travelers.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Violence breaks out at assisted living home

  Crystal KobzaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- For the second time in a week, violence strikes at a facility for the mentally ill. This time, it happened at an assisted living home in northeast Houston. It ended with the caretaker in the hospital and the resident behind bars.

It happened at around 4am Friday at the facility for the mentally ill and disabled on Burnley near Foxridge. Police say the situation started with an argument that escalated. They say the resident stabbed the caretaker with a steak knife and the caretaker then struck the resident in the head with a hammer.

The confrontation apparently started after the caretaker asked to man to stop smoking in the house with the windows closed. According to people here that is what triggered this violent assault.

Ronald Adams who lives at the home said, "The only thing I really heard was that guy saying, 'I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you.'"

An assisted living home caretaker and house manager was stabbed in the head allegedly by a mentally ill man who police say pulled out a kitchen steak knife during a confrontation early Friday morning. Police say after being stabbed, the caretaker hit the man over the head with a hammer.

Adams, who is disabled, says the suspect is unstable.

"He's alright one minute and the next minute he will go off," Adams explained.

A former caretaker at the home who arrived after the stabbing says he's angered about what happened.

Arrunn Delany said, "He calls me his brother and I love him like a brother. I just don't think he is going to be served justice because of the fact that they took him to jail instead of taking him to the hospital where he needs to be for the mentally ill."

Delany says the suspect suffers from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety, and hasn't been taking his medicine for weeks. Delany added the suspect was supposed to be picked up Friday after a mental health warrant was issued.

"With these kinds of people you don't know what to expect," Delany said. "So you can expect them to be rude. You know they're bipolar, so anything you say to them can trigger anything in their head."

According to police, the caretaker was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and is listed as stable. People living at this home said he is in his 60s.

A total of seven people live in this assisted living home, aside from the caretaker, who also serves as a house manager.

It's not known at this time what charges the suspect may face.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Local malls look at security measures after recent incidents of violence

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Another incident of violence at a mall is raising security questions across the nation. On Monday, a brawl broke out at the Mall of America in Minneapolis. At one point, as many as 200 people were involved.

Minnesota is not alone in seeing fights break out between shoppers this holiday season. We've reported on several scuffles in our area as well, and we wondered if the recent incidents have caused local malls to look at their security measures.

Some mall workers and shoppers told Eyewitness News they're noticing more security in the malls in our area. But security isn't something many of the major malls we contacted in this area want to talk about publicly. At Greenspoint Mall, the manager told us security is keeping their eyes and ears open for potential security problems.

Houston area retail store manager Marcy Martin told us she couldn't believe the chaos at the Mall of America on Monday. She says it reminded her of the mad dash for the new Air Jordan shoes she watched at some Houston malls last Friday.

"People have gone crazy. And it's our youth," Martin said.

We called around to several local malls asking whether the images of recent mobs have managers concerned. So far, Ray Bajerano from Greenspoint Mall is the only mall manager who agreed to speak out.

"It definitely is a concern. You never want an isolated incident like that to occur on your property," Bajerano told us over the phone.

Eyewitness News was at Greenspoint as hundreds lined up to buy a pair of the new Air Jordan sneakers. And we watched as police and mall security tried keeping the eager crowd organized.

Greenspoint Mall says it's constantly reviewing security measures for customer safety.

"Over the years, we've bought, purchased some barricades, the metal ones, so we can start forming the lines. We coordinate again with the police department," Bajerano said.

No major issues were reported at Greenspoint on Friday. But Martin believes after the madness in Minneapolis, all malls should consider beefing up security.

"It should be more security. I mean a whole lot more security because you just never know what's going to happen," she said.

We have heard in addition to the mall security that some stores are hiring their own private security. Greenspoint's GM told us after the last crowd rushed this mall, he's now considering more changes for safety and security.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Prayer walks held to end violence in Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houstonians are standing together in prayer, hoping to stop violence.

They say recent shootings have compelled them to come forward, and they're praying for a change.

One after another, dozens of people prepared for what they called a serious mission on the hot and humid streets of Houston: a day of prayer.

With heads bowed, hands locked and armed with spiritual words, about 150 people from several area churches joined together at different meeting places Saturday in unified prayer against economic issues, violence and other problems plaguing the community.

They have declared a "code blue" emergency and vowed to take aggressive action.

We caught up with one group in the Sunnyside area.

"Today, we just want God just to rain in because he said if we plant the seed, he will water and give the increase. So that's what we are going to do. Plant the seeds in the community of safety and protection," Houston City Councilmember Wanda Adams said.

The prayer groups took a special path around Worthing High School, especially near the school football field. It was the scene of a tragic shooting last month that killed an 18-year-old former student. Police believe it was gang-related.

Saturday, the group clutched hands with residents at an apartment complex nearby -- the place where some people saw the tragedy unfold.

Residents there say prayers are welcome in their neighborhood.

Most definitely," one resident said. "Prayer is always necessary."

Barber is a former Houston Oiler football player, and a minister himself. He came out to show his support. He says it's time the community takes a spiritual stand to save the community.

"I think God has blessed us with some things and I think we can be a blessing here and reach these kids that are making wrong decisions and be an example that says, 'You know what, I don't need to do that,'" Barber said.

Other ministers held similar prayer walks at seven other locations throughout the city.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) 

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'Stop the violence' rally to be held at Worthing HS

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Students and teachers will come together this morning at the scene of a tragic shooting at a high school that left one person dead in March.

The rally to stop the violence is planned at 7:30am on the track at Worthing High School in southeast Houston.

The shooting happened during a powder puff football game. A car drove onto the track and football field complex. One passenger began firing. An 18-year-old former student Tremaine Paul was killed.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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