AUSTIN (KXAN) — In East Austin, residents who live around Parque Zaragoza expressed that they don’t feel safe due to rampant drug use, graffiti, trash, and people illegally camping in the area.
Raquel Ortega is one of the residents who has expressed concerns, as she has experienced repeated unsafe activity in the area.
“The bike group that I’ve been part of meets at this park two to three times a week, and there have been different situations where there’s either hostile individual on the stage that are under the influence want us to leave,” Ortega said.
These concerns aren’t new and were highlighted a year ago, yet residents said they haven’t seen much progress.
“I feel like at this point, the whole neighborhood just is, sort of feels like we’re shouting into the wind,” said Ricky Hennessy, another resident living around Zaragoza. “We sent emails, made calls, consistent, 311, and 911 calls—tried reaching out to our council member.”
Council Member Jose Velasquez’s district contains Parque Zaragoza, and he said while it may not look like it, there is action occurring behind the scenes.
“We’ve been working closely with our area district commanders from APD and the Homeless Strategy Office,” Velasquez said. “Their safety is my number one priority.”
Velasquez said he understands residents’ frustrations, but notes that change won’t come overnight as it takes coordination from multiple city departments.
“We coordinate with the Homeless Strategy Office, APD, and PARD,” Velasquez said. “That’s essentially the ecosystem of this thing, along with the community.”
APD Lieutenant Officer Fausto Rodriguez is one of those working to resolve safety concerns. Rodriguez confirmed with KXAN that there are several ongoing investigations occurring in the area.
“The aggravated assault unit and our department’s gang unit have done extensive work, undercover work around Zaragoza,” Rodriguez said.
Residents still hope to see visible changes sooner rather than later.
“It should be an oasis for not only the community members that live in the surrounding neighborhood, but other people that frequent downtown Austin,” Ortega said.