Burger King faces lawsuit over prostitution claims

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan has filed a lawsuit against some businesses and property owners along a stretch of Bissonnet near the Southwest Freeway that he says have become a haven for prostitution.

The civil injunction targets the 9600 block of Bissonnet. Some of the specific businesses named in the lawsuit are Burger King at 9603 Bissonnet, and Cubes, an after-hours nightclub next door to the fast-food restaurant.

Prostitutes routinely walk the block-long stretch known as "the track" to look for johns, or relax at the air-conditioned Burger King while waiting for clients to show up, said Laura Cahill, senior assistant county attorney.

Houston police responded to more than 1,000 calls for service along the block over the last two years, including two deaths in the last two months alone, Cahill said.

Many of the crimes take place "on the grounds of Burger King or on the parking lot they are partially responsible for, which is where Cubes is located," she said. The restaurant has an agreement that allows its customers to park on the adjacent lot also used by nightclub patrons.

The county attorney's office set its sights on the 9600 block about six months ago after receiving complaints from area residents, Ryan said.

"The (block) is near Westwood Mall, which is a pretty good area to get to," Ryan said. "Unfortunately, it's a good place for someone if they're in the business of doing this (prostitution). The word gets out and people know they can go there."

Ryan said the lawsuit was filed with the support of the Greater Sharpstown Management District, which contracts with his office help curb criminal activities. Ryan's office has similar contracts with five other management districts as well.

A hearing on the temporary injunction is set for July 29 before state District Judge Jeff Shadwick of the 55th Civil District Court in Houston.

Cahill said that businesses in the impacted area will be asked to install surveillance cameras, put up no-trespassing signs, hire security officers and add more lighting.

The manager of the Burger King declined to comment about the lawsuit, and referred media inquiries to Evergreen Restaurant Group in Houston. Officials at ERG could not be immediately reached for comment.