Neighbors in Westwood Square say they want more police presence

SAN ANTONIO – Neighbors in Westwood Square say they regularly really feel forgotten. There’s no exception with regards to crime and protection.

San Antonio police and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office stopped via Westwood Square’s San Antonio Neighbors Together match on Oct. 3. Several neighborhoods around the town held their very own occasions.

It’s a forestall neighbors welcomed, however stated was once too few and a long way between.

The match supplied a possibility for citizens to proportion a few of their issues.

“We have a lot of Mexican culture,” stated Jose Garcia, the chief of El Compa Tire Shop close to Highway 90 and Cupples Road.

Westwood Square is a tight-knit group.

“It’s changing for the better,” stated neighbor Stephanie Wilson.

But they really feel unseen and overpassed at the West Side.

“Drugs, some violence here, break-ins, burglaries,” stated Toni Peña, who stated she grew up in the group.

“A lot of gun violence, too,” added Marie Palomo. “I’m really not out late at night because of that situation.”

Neighbors in Westwood Square stated they glance out for every different.

“They keep an eye and make sure nobody goes that’s not supposed to be there,” Wilson stated.

SAPD’s community crime map presentations there have been 3 irritated attacks, 10 drug violations, and a housebreaking in the primary 9 months of 2023.

In June, San Antonio police say somebody shot a person in the arm out of doors of his house in Westwood Square.

But the ones numbers might be under Westwood Square’s precise crime charge.

Velma Peña, president of the group affiliation, stated neighbors are regularly scared to document crime. She stated some concern they’ll be retaliated towards via police or different neighbors for making studies.

She stated many neighbors don’t know the officials patrolling the streets.

reached out to San Antonio police 3 times in the final month to invite how the dept is efforting group policing in Westwood Square.

A police spokesperson said residents can look up their SAFFE officer in an online directory, however did indirectly resolution the query or conform to an interview.

“We aren’t going to be able to accommodate this request at this time,” answered Sgt. Washington Moscoso in a Sept. 6 electronic mail.

adopted up and requested if somebody with SAPD might be made to be had over the following month to discuss how the dept is operating to construct believe with neighbors in Westwood Square.

SAPD didn’t reply to that request.

“We just want to feel heard too, and we are important,” stated Toni Peña. “This is [just like] any other part of town.”