West U police are looking into a rumor about drugs being sold outside Matthew’s Market.
According to an e-mail that has been widely circulated in the West U area, “Lamar kids” have reportedly been trying to sell drugs to younger children around Matthew’s Market.
The e-mail went on to warn parents about the situation and to remind their children to be careful.
Police Chief Ken Walker told InstantNewsWestU today that they are aware of the rumor and are looking into it.
This rumor is just that, and I really question the motive of this publication in perpetuating it. I don’t see how this qualifies as “news.”
Totally agree. Printing rumors is not journalism.
Why do you feel so certain that this is a rumor?
This news item is not perpetuating the rumor, it is reporting that the police is looking into the rumor.
I think that you must do your due diligence. To think that it could not happen in and around your own neighborhood is naive. I am thankful that our police care enough not to blow this off.
If it is true it is news.
Our son rode his bike there last Saturday afternoon with a friend, and he and the friend were approached by “older kids” about buying knives, of which they had a bag full, and “weed.” I dismissed it after discussing the situation with our boys, but now after reading this, there might be more to the story if other kids were approached as well. West U Mom may need to realize that this may be more than a “rumor.” Glad it is being investigated.
Hmmmm … “rumor” and innuendo, both classical cogs ( drive out competition and the unwanted) in master plans. Does “three story, with underground parking” sound familiar?
Ask yourself what is the next step? For, if past history is any indication, this will be done!
Beware …
I have a high school age boy. There are punks in West U who might try to do this. Perhaps it is news worthy to share a rumor so that parents can be aware and address the possibility with their kids. One of the best things about West U is that it is relatively safe to let kids have some freedom. Our troop of boys were riding bikes and hanging out around the fields through middle school. Prime picking for punks….
Any individual that thinks this could be “just rumor and innuendo” have buried their heads and don’t live in the real world. Our community is full of great kids- even great kids can go down the wrong path. Where there is money, kids with nothing to do and hanging in groups, anything can happen. I don’t think Jim Reid can control this- we as parents need to have a handle on where our kids are and what they are doing. There is a false sense of security in 77005……
More than likely, and I would lay money that the police agree, that there is a nugget of truth to this story that is being distorted through the traditional game of telephone. Teenage drug dealers don’t solicit the slurpee crowd outside the family hamburger joint while parents are inside.. I’m not saying it doesn’t occur.. just unlikely at that place. Think about it rationally for a few minutes. Yes, there are kids in our area that use drugs and sell it to other kids.. But let’s keep the issue in focus and not go off on a tangent that could hurt a local merchant.
As far as your kids go, you better be hoping I’m correct.
“Outside Matthews Market”? C’mon …. Why not outside any of the other doors within steps? As a casual observer I’ve seen the amount of grief that Jim Reid has been forced to endure by city management and departments just to keep the doors open. The man is operating a place with both hands tied behind in back by city officials.
You gotta wonder if that is not the handwriting is in the wall.
You are so wrong. Jim has abused the rules. Go check the facts. Jim Reid does not tell the truth. Jim Reid should be run out of town. He is bas for West U.
Sounds like there may or may not be a few losers pushing dope near the Elementary school. But just wait until City Council opens the floodgates to massive commercial development in that area! No longer will it be some pitiful little market attracting problems – nope, it will be a much larger complex with a bigger draw and a better cover story for loitering outsiders. ‘course maybe they’ll do the dealing in the parking building – but that’s progress folks!
There is some truth here.
I just love it when people use the term “outsiders.” People that use this term rarely mow their own lawn.
People-don’t point fingers. Just sit down with your kids, be aware of the dangers in all areas of life & don’t spend your time worrying about whether the story or motive is political. Geez!!!
Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and all possibilities open and on the table …
That place is a free-for-all. The Little Matts needs to be shut down. I made my kids stop going there in September. There is no adult supervision.
Do you supervise your children? Why do you expect Jim Reid to do so?
That is not the proper question. How about this: “Should you send your child to as place the allows drug dealing”?
What does the earlier poster mean when it says the the comments are “political”?
If the owner of Little Matts is allowing derugs to be sold out of his place, that is criminal, not political. He seems to never have reported it to the police, if that’s the case, he has knowingly made Little Matts a haven for drig dealers. Let’s find out Jim Reid should go to prison.
I feel as a parent you should always talk with your children about this possibility. Until facts are in I would have to say shame on this journalism for calling it Lamar kids without getting facts to back it up. High school kids should have been the term used as there are Bellaire, Episcopal, St. Johns, Kincaid, and Strake just to name a view high schools represented in West U.. Until you know for sure I would not go naming names. This could happen outside any establishment around our neighborhood where ever children are there is always a recipe for danger whether it is from an outside source or just trouble kids can get into on their own. Talk with your kids and just make sure they know what to do or how to react. An adult is never too far away.
Georgetown Gardener – does every place you don’t like need to be shut down? Little Matt’s has been a wonderful place for my child to stop for an after-school snack, and I, for one, don’t want it shut down. More adult supervision – sure. More police awareness of who hangs around outside – absolutely. But let’s not go overboard.
Any parent who didn’t see Little Matt’s as a playground for disaster was closing both eyes. No supervision. Free alcohol. And an owner who has a history of cocaine abuse.
Who would have figured?
Drugs are a problem everywhere. And they are a problem at Little Matts. Deal with it. Kids are going to play with drugs. We did. You outgrow it.
There are drugs in EVERY high school, and probably most middle schools everywhere around here. If a kid that age wants drugs I promise you he’ll find them. As far as elementary school children, they should not be left unsupervised, at LM’s or anywhere else.
Jim Reid bankrupts JMH and now?
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/06/downtown_west_u_now_sports_a_d.php
I say run him out of town….
This has become comical. Is the allegation that somehow Jim Reid is responsible for this alleged activity – it’s not like he profits from it (if it indeed even happened). I can’t imagine he would risk his whole operation and reputation by even looking the other way. And do you think these ‘lamar kids’ would just melt away and never push their drugs in West U if Little Matt’s was shut down?
You know who else needs some supervision? A group of West University Elementary girls that practically live up there chasing boys – two of whom offered my son oral sex if he would give them a margarita.
Hah! Were these 4th or 5th graders? I have a hard time believing that….
With or without salt?
Frankel Group fund raising for their newest development?!?!
Take a deep breath and calm down, people. Let’s not jump to conclusions. Let the police investigate before we start hurling accusations and demanding the place be “shut down”. Jim Reid works like a dog to keep that place open. I for one enjoy going there, and so does my 7 year old and every other 7 year old I know. When my daughter is there, so am I. If you can’t be there to supervise your kids, maybe you shouldn’t let them go.
The reporting by Sara Waisanen is inaccurate. The rumor places the alledged offense at the corner of Goode Street on West University Elementary School Property not at Matthews Market. I guess, that’s outside Matthews Market. By the way, the latest is the “kids” in question live in Bellaire and attend school there.
Man, we should all sell and move right away and burn the owner on the Cross. Some of you make me wonder why I live in the hood…..
The truth will set you free. Jim Reid was deep buddies with former Mayor Bob Kelly. Kelly protected Little Matts. The new mayor (Bob Fry) will not protect Jim Reid like Kelly did. Let the chips fall where they may.
Watchout Tiny Boxwood’s – your next.
Drugs? Elementary School prostitution? Are we talking about the same Little Matt’s? I’ve attended Birthday Parties, a Wedding Reception and several Family Guild reunions at Little Matt’s and have found it to be the PERFECT neighborhood location for casual gatherings with friends and neighbors. My children have lunch there almost every weekend and my husband and I drop by when running errands occasionally to check in. Nothing has ever seemed amiss. I LOVE that we have a place in the neighborhood that is locally owned, staffed by local teens and that accommodates so many social needs. Now that I know that its future is in jeopardy, I will increase my patronage immediately.
Some high school kids approached my middle school daughter right outside Little Matts and made her go nude sky diving on crack!! Now the video has gone viral and become the video of the month on XXX “high and fly” site!! OMG…. LITTLE MATT’S MUST BE STOPPED!!!! I also heard Jim Reid is actually a true life evil leprechaun that has many disguises. One if which is a perfect rendition of a drug pushing Lamar High School student!! Which explains a lot about this story! Our family has chosen to never leave the house while Little Matt’s is open! Warning… Sell your house and leave now!! Before word gets out, home values drop, and you lose the 5% equity you put down on your house! It’s complete ANARCHY!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I for one have loved having LM in our neighborhood. I also have seen emails being circulated with rumors of illicit dealings. I think we should all be cautioned when something threatens the safety of our children. But as ADULTS we should not be showing our children vindictive behavior by writing slanderous and BULLYING remarks. Recognize that key word? Our children read these postings and you wonder why we have a need for “No place for hate” programs in our schools? Perhaps people should be policing their own children and educating them on when to say no and correcting them when they do something wrong. I have personally witnessed the LM employees and owner reprimand kids for bad and rude behavior. We are privileged to have a fine police department who are vigilant and will be watching.
I’m reading a copy of the email rumor which was written and circulated by local area restraurant owner on June 5, 2011. Reviewing HPD crime reports for W. Holcome at Buffalo Speedway area refelct some 47 Narcotic Drug and 201 Parking Lot crimes reported in 2011. Isn’t that where Chick Fil A is located? Oh my!
Is that West U? Answer: NO
I think there is a Randall’s there also, and a pool supply place, watch out for those SVDP kids.
Well, he had an opportunity to reply to me, and others who emailed him. He didn’t.
I don’t think Jim ran Matthews Motors out of Dodge City. He did a good job on the shops and offices across from SSP city hall and numerous other area buildings.
The JMH deal didn’t work out. A lot of businesses like that look good and are targets for takeovers but can’t work under the new debt load. While it is dissappointing, that JMH closed down, it is not surprising. For those of you who’ve been in West U for a while, you’ll remember there was more than one JMH in town, their history was written when Randalls upgraded years ago.
Can someone post the “widely circulated” email about the supposedly drug dealing supposedly “Lamar kids” (aka West U kids, aka former WUElem, Pershing/Lanier/ROB/St.Johns lower school kids. Lamar is a great school with great kids and I am really disappointed that Instant News West U would publish a rumor based on an email and name a school without any factual basis.
If there really is drug dealing in front of Matthews Motors and someone is arrested, the relevent factor will not be that they are Lamar or any other HS students, but that they are West U kids.
Here is my proposition: You let your kids hang out at Little Matts,but not my kids. I walked by there on the last day of school and I heard a group of five kids at one table use the “F” word three times and the “N” word two times. My kids are not going to go there. Bigotry is not a learning experience.