Hambledon/Hambledon Estates/Briarchase/Briarchase 2/Estates

Hambledon Homeowners: “We Have A Problem”

May 14, 2004

Over the past few months a problem has been brought to my attention concerning parking in the neighborhood. Most of the complaints are related to parking on the street. This is not a new problem, and is one that I am asked about frequently. As the neighborhood has grown and more families have arrived, the problem has gotten to the point that it has become a safety issue.

As I patrol the neighborhood, I am finding more residents are parking on the street in front of their homes. One or two vehicles legally parked on a street for a short time is not too bad. Unfortunately, I am finding that there are one or two vehicles from just about every household beginning to show up on the street, and most of them are staying for extended time. This has created several problems. I?’ll list a few. When vehicles are lining the street, a drivers view is severely limited. They would most likely not see a car pulling out of a driveway, or a pet running into the street, or even worse, a child. Emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks, and ambulances are severely hampered. On several occasions, I have had a hard time getting down some of the streets in a police vehicle. There would be no way for a large vehicle to pass. I have received calls for service, in which residents were unable to get out of their own driveways, because vehicles were parked too close, or directly across from their driveway not giving enough room to get out. We have had several accidents in which vehicles have been hit while residents have attempted to back out. Last, but by no means least, is the security aspect. When vehicles are parked on the street, it is an open invitation for any thief to walk by, stop, and look in your vehicle. If they see something they want, they have easy access to the vehicle. They most likely will not be heard or seen, with the vehicle so far from the home. If the vehicle is parked in the driveway, most thieves would not chance going so close to the home to break in.

Sgt. Ronnie Glaze - Harris County Constables Office Pct. 4
281-401-6200 Patrol Office
281-376-3472 Dispatch
Ronnie_Glaze@cd4.co.harris.tx.us