Houston Community Newspapers Online:Homeowners' associations in The Woodlands question increased law enforcement funding
THE WOODLANDS -- The funding used to increase police presence on Woodlands streets is coming more and more from residents' association fees. And some of the community associations' board members said they've had enough of the increased costs for law enforcement that county tax dollars should fund.
"We are not in the law enforcement business," said Peggy Hausman, a member of The Woodlands Community Association at the last budget hearing. "Every year, we add hundreds of dollars instead of demanding our fair share at Commissioners Court."
But Precinct 3 Constable Tim Holifield, whose department will receive $1.14 million from the county this fiscal year, said he believes commissioners did a good job in allocating funds to each of the five constable offices.
"I would never want to have the commissioners' jobs," he said Monday. "Would I like to see more resources? Yes. But not if it means raising taxes."
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Woodlands residents seem to be questioning what they consider an excessive reliance on their pocketbooks to fund local law enforcement. Equal cost for equal services? Maybe not.