Houstonians Evacuee-weary, Poll Says
This article in the Houston Chronicle is depressing, but not totally unexpected. Although 99 plus percent of New Orleans residents are honest, law abiding citizens, it only take a few to ruin the image of the entire city. And that appears to be what is happening in Houston.
Amid growing concern about the city’s homicide rate and overburdened social services, a new poll finds Houstonians increasingly weary and wary of the 150,000 Louisiana evacuees who landed here after fleeing Hurricane Katrina. Three-quarters of Harris County residents surveyed by Rice University sociologist Stephen Klineberg say the influx of Katrina evacuees, many of whom remain seven months after landfall, has put a "considerable strain" on the Houston community. Additionally, two-thirds say evacuees bear responsibility for "a major increase in violent crime," and twice as many local residents believe Houston will be "worse off" rather than "better off" if most evacuees remain here permanently.
My only other comments is that Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston but what to rethink this quote, "I think the percentage of people unhappy with the deadbeats from New Orleans would be larger but for the big hearts of Houstonians who want these folks to get back on their feet, as I do." Nice, real nice.
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