SAN ANTONIO — A recent violent incident at a homeless encampment near the Bexar County Jail has prompted city officials to implement new safety measures.
The altercation, captured on video by a local business, shows a man being beaten and then picking up a pickaxe under the West Commerce Street Bridge.
Patrick Steck, the Assistant Director of Human Services for the City of San Antonio, confirmed that fences have been erected to prevent homeless individuals from camping under the bridge and to protect its structural integrity. “In other cities, we’ve seen fires that have affected bridge integrity,” Steck said.
While some neighbors report seeing fewer homeless individuals due to the fences, others claim the barriers have pushed the homeless further into nearby neighborhoods. Steck noted, “So far from what I’ve seen, it is helping reduce the establishment of encampments in those specific spaces.”
In response to the ongoing issue, the city conducts weekly outreach efforts, offering shelter beds and housing assistance. At the end of the month, Corazon Ministries, a local nonprofit, will deploy two outreach workers to the area. Erika Borrego, CEO of Corazon Ministries, emphasized the importance of trust-building in their efforts. “We find that those individuals are very effective at building trust and only when you trust someone do you ask for help,” Borrego said.
Borrego is optimistic about the situation improving with increased outreach and plans to have a medical vehicle available in the future. “More eyes on the issue, more people working the problem, more people building trust, but all of it just takes time,” she said.
Steck highlighted that homelessness is a national issue exacerbated by a lack of housing.