Yeah, so are we, notice it's them committing the crimes they are concerned about?

09/06/07 - Nacogdoches
Hispanics Concerned About Crime





Hispanics Concerned About Crime


http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=7037749&nav=2FH5




by Donna McCollum

Nacogdoches law enforcement continue to piece together facts around a violent crime. The victim is identified as Francisco Hernandez Morales. The 21 year old is recovering from a severe beating, but is well enough to share more information with investigators.

Morales is sticking to the claim that he was abducted Tuesday evening from his home at 711 Lane Drive by three Hispanic men. He told investigators that he was driven to the Shawnee River Bottom and beaten with a pipe. He was found the next morning by drilling rig employees. Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss said, " He claims to not know the individuals. Once more leads come in on the case and we're able to link some other things together we'll see where that takes us. "

Neighbors have a slightly different account. They're saying a woman living in a trailer discovered someone inside her home. She called her boyfriend. He brought two friends to 'take down' the intruder. Nacogdoches police say it's too early to confirm that account.

Crime Concern

This week's violent crime isn't the first incident that the Lane Drive neighborhood has experienced. A rash of break in's has occurred in the last two months. Omar Jasso has worked at the poverty stricken mobile home park on Lane Drive for about fifteen years. He can't recall so many frequent break-ins. " Number 9, the next trailer, 22. People go inside and stealing stuff, " he said while pointing to several old mobile homes.

The victims are Jasso's tenants, but also his neighbors. Felisha Ponder stays home with children. " I'll probably be careful, especially at night time because I have three kids and I don't want nothing to happen to them. "

Jasso believes the theft is an indication of desperation. Immigration issues led to job loss from Pilgrim's Pride. Some may have turned to crime. Others are victims. Then there are those giving up. Jasso said, " People fixing to go back to Mexico. Old people try to go up like Arkansas or somewhere else to find a job. "

Those who stay live in fear. Jasso knocks on a door, but no one answers even though he knows someone is home. " See people scared, " said Jasso. The woman in the home had earlier told Jasso of seeing men with guns at a nearby trailer, but rumors of immigration officers keeps her behind closed doors. Jasso shared, " This weekend we heard immigration coming. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, nobody worked. Everybody was in the house, scared, scared." Immigration never arrived. It was another rumor.

Jasso doesn't fear immigration, but he is facing an uncertain future. Tenants can't pay their rent. The husband and father of three girls is scared of someday losing his job.





09/06/07 - Nacogdoches
Hispanics Concerned About Crime