City Rep. Niland Says There Are Too Many Homeless People Downtown

In some cases, perception is reality, said one El Paso city representative Tuesday. According to Cortney Niland, that’s why even though crime is down in Downtown El Paso, the homeless population is a deterrent for development.

Niland, who represents Downtown, told City Council she’s received complaints about an increase in homeless people in the downtown area. She said addressing the issue is about economic development as much as as it is about safety.

El Paso Police crime statistics so far show a 14 percent increase in crime in the Northeast and Eastside. The Westside has the highest increase of crime since last year: 15 percent. In the Lower Valley, there’s a 14 percent decrease in crime and in Central, which encompasses downtown, there’s a 7 percent decrease.

Niland said that even though Downtown is a safe area, an increase in homeless people hinders Downtown revitalization. The increase in the homeless population hasn’t been officially documented but Niland said she’s received several complaints.

Niland said she’s seen the problem herself.

“I regularly visit a gas station on Yandell and it has become a very popular hangout, and when you’re a mother of two children and you’re getting out, you’re just concerned. Whether there is crime activity happening or not, it’s just the perception,” Niland said.

City Rep. Susie Byrd said there was a similar problem at a nearby park that police have addressed.

“We had contacted you all about Aztec Park because for a while there was a group of guys that were drinking and smoking pot, and it made everyone else uncomfortable to be out there in the park,” Byrd told Eric Shelton, an El Paso Police assistant chief.

One man said that even though he’s seen a lot of homeless people Downtown, “they don’t seem to be bothering anyone.”

“We’re the second safest city in the nation for the second year in a row, but sometimes perception is reality,” Niland said.

The City doesn’t want danger. It wants development. With some business owners paying thousands of dollars a month in extra security by hiring off-duty police officers, City Rep. Steve Ortega wants to know if the City can put more police resources in that area instead.

“So that these people who are doing what we all want them to do aren’t paying out of their own pocket $4,000 a month for police officers to be in the area,” Ortega said.

City Council decided to set up meetings with police and the business owners to determine if more policing is needed.

For now, officers will be checking for public intoxication and drug use, and Shelton said they won’t be criminalizing poverty.

“The department has no intention of pursuing any laws or ordinances that are going to make homelessness a crime, because that’s a mental health issue,” Shelton said.