AUSTIN, Texas — After a scare involving an unhoused person at a senior living facility in South Austin, the family member of a resident is calling for the city to step in and clean up the area permanently.
Dealing with people experiencing homelessness has been an ongoing issue for businesses near Pack Saddle Pass in South Austin for a while, and Solstice Senior Living at Austin is no exception.
"I was very concerned," said Renda Tyson, whose mom lives at the facility.
Tyson said on Saturday, she called the police because an unhoused person appeared to be targeting a senior on the property while she walked her dog.
"He had both of his hands reaching out toward her," Tyson said. "So I begin to blow my horn and holler out the window. He then turned around, looked at me and started coming toward my car. And he was cursing and just going off."
The woman was OK and made it back inside the facility.
But Tyson said by the time police arrived, the man was gone.
"Now, that's just not acceptable," Tyson said. "He [the officer] proceeded to tell me that the homeless situation in Austin is problematic. Police staffing is short and even if they arrest them, they're let go within an hour. My concern was, 'Are you not at least going to go and check? This is a senior living facility. They need assistance.'"
Tyson said it wasn't until she threatened to go to the news that the officer decided to go look at the encampment. She said she was not provided a case number but instead the information for a city representative.
The encampment is next to the edge of the senior living facility's property. Clothes can be seen sprawled out on the picnic table, along with needles on the ground. There's also evidence of people living in the dried-up creek next to the facility. They have a makeshift bed, clothes and food boxes.
The facility's spokesperson said, "We are aware of the homeless encampment in the property next to Solstice at Austin and the recent incidents between our staff and residents and those experiencing homelessness in our neighborhood. The police have been informed of each occurrence involving our staff and residents, and we have implemented specific corrective and precautionary measures, including requiring keycard access to all community buildings and actively hiring a 24-hour security officer as part of our efforts to create a safe and supportive community."
Councilmember Ryan Alter represents the area and said he sympathizes with the neighbors.
"We continue to make efforts to make this area clean and safe, but it is not always perfect and it doesn't always last as long as we'd like," Alter said.
Alter said on Tuesday, the city's Homeless Division helped relocate and clear out camps just down the road. But sometimes, that pushes the people closer to the facility's neighborhood. He said he's looking for a better solution.
"I've been trying to identify various areas, whether that's city purchasing a piece of land or utilizing land," Alter sad. "We have to create a safe space so that we're not just moving people around, but we're actually creating a solution. And that has been a real struggle that I continue to push for every single day.
Tyson hopes change comes soon, before someone gets hurt.
KVUE reached out to Austin police about this incident, but the department could not find a record of it.
"I want all of these seniors to be safe," Tyson said. "The city of Austin has a responsibility to the taxpayers."
A full statement from Solstice Senior Living at Austin said:
"We are aware of the homeless encampment in the property next to Solstice at Austin and the recent incidents between our staff and residents and those experiencing homelessness in our neighborhood. First and foremost, the safety and well-being of our staff and residents are our top priorities. We are treating these incidents with the utmost seriousness.
"The police have been informed of each occurrence involving our staff and residents, and we have implemented specific corrective and precautionary measures, including requiring keycard access to all community buildings and actively hiring a 24-hour security officer as part of our efforts to create a safe and supportive community. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing high-quality services, support, and safety for our residents.
"We extend our support and appreciation to all those affected and to those who are helping individuals experiencing homelessness throughout our city."