San Antonio residents report safety concerns due to homeless camps and drug activity at Pickwell Park, prompting increased police patrols and community vigilance.
SAN ANTONIO — Rayvon Sims lives near Pickwell Park and he and his friends love to play football and basketball there regularly, but he said he knows they have to remain alert for trouble.
Sims said they know the wooded area adjacent to the park is dotted with homeless camps.
“There’s people sleeping under there! There’s a whole bunch of trash. I jumped over one time and there was literally a guy sleeping under there. He was tweaking out!” Sims said, adding the man chased him for a bit, but he was able to get away.
Sims said as teens, they are often socializing late at night, so they are extra careful when walking the area.
“If I’m walking to my friend’s house down there, I mind my own business,” Sims said.
Park user Marco Garcia said he exercises at the park regularly but when he brings his kids, he is extra careful.
“My kids come here and use the playground and when I’ve come here in the morning to work out I found a couple of needles, so every time my kids come I make sure to check the playground out, make sure there’s nothing like that so they don’t get injured,” Garcia said.
Garcia said “It’s kind of sad because it’s something that should be safe for the kids, for them to play and have no worries, but it’s become something that I’m worried about and scared they find something like that.”
Police records and calls for service indicate the area does see frequent patrols.
Just last Thursday around midnight, for example, police arrested a wanted man who was in the park after curfew hours.
The arrest report indicates the 22-year-old man had an outstanding warrant for assault bodily injury and when they searched his property, they found a clear plastic bag with a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
That resulted in an additional charge of possessing a controlled substance in a drug-free zone.
A recent post in the Nextdoor app generated more than 60 responses from people concerned about safety after a woman said she saw people in the gazebo next to the playground that she thought were using drugs.
The woman said she did call police, while another woman said she picks up needles all the time to protect the children.
Park officials say people should not pick up used needles they find. Instead, they should contact the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department by calling 311.
City officials say the Parks and Recreation team is trained to handle and dispose of needles and other items properly and safely.
Experts warn that improper handling of used needles can spread infections.
The District 3 city council office did provide a written statement about safety concerns saying, “Our office is in contact with the homeless outreach team to assess the area and ensure appropriate steps are taken.”
With regard to other actions that can improve safety, the Highland Hills Neighborhood Association meets every first Monday of the month at Highland Hills Elementary at 6:30 p.m. and they welcome anyone who has a concern to attend and get help.
To learn more about crime in your area, this is a link to the Community Crime Map.
This is a link to the Public Safety Dashboard.