Flour Bluff homeless camps raise concern

FLOUR BLUFF - Corpus Christi police are concerned that a homeless camp out in Flour Bluff is a potential breeding ground for crime. In fact, that campsite, located on the 10000 block of Compton, was a known hangout for Rhoderick Lewis, the man charged with Wednesday's brutal rape in Flour Bluff.

The area, in which several camps are set up, is also an eyesore, with lots of trash and empty beer cans all around. Police said they are very familiar with the location. Officers said it's not uncommon for them to respond to fights out there.

"Most of the homeless come through, they'll end up drinking their alcohol out here, get intoxicated and start to fight with one another," Corpus Christi police officer John Little said. "So like I say, one of the problems is the disturbance. They just fight with one another because they are so drunk."

Little, who often responds to disturbance calls, said another problem are the piles of trash the homeless leave behind - everything from beer cans to clothing and mattresses. Areas like these aren't just raising health and safety concerns. Police said these campgrounds have become hiding spots for criminals.

"Property owners call us all the time, complain of the trash, complain about the garbage, looking for a way to get it cleaned up," Little said.

Walking through the camp, Little came across a man who said he'd been staying at the campsite for about two weeks. In those two weeks, the man said he had not taken any garbage out of the area.

For the homeless who live there, it's home. There's even a makeshift counter top and sleeping quarters surrounded by trash and brush. Little said the area is a hiding spot for criminals who are tired of running from police.

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"You have an active warrant for larceny, no bond, so we need to go and get it taken care of okay," Little said to one man found in a tent.

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The man was wanted for theft.

"They self medicate with alcohol; they self medicate with other drugs, methamphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, I don't know what all they're using, so they can be really dangerous," Little said.

According to Little, police can ask the property owners to keep the property clear, but the problem doesn't go away. If you move the homeless from one campsite, they'll just find another.

Online Reporter: Roxanne Carrillo