Aransas Pass Progress
A bad family breakup left 43-yearold Bryan Shoefstall homeless. The Austin native came to The Remnant helping church staff meet the needs of others and then asked to stay since he had no where else to go. He’s been living on the streets the past six years. Traci Barnes Frazier, who founded The Remnant, is speaking with a Rockport attorney about her options, legal counsel advising her that since the encampment is on private property law enforcement should have no authority to intervene. The issue is very personal for Frazier who was homeless herself as a very young child.
A small portion of The Remnant church property at 157 S. Commercial St. in Aransas Pass has been set aside for area homeless to set up a mini camp of sorts, providing shelter from the elements. When the sanctuary is open, the men and women who are staying outdoors get some relief from the heat, stepping into an air-conditioned environment to pray, and get served a decent meal. They have no access to showers and use a nearby Stripes for restrooms. But in recent weeks some citizens have complained vociferously that the homeless encampment is a blight, and police have even warned the church leadership either they leave, or face being cited for what they documented is a violation of Texas law.
Aransas Pass Progress
The Remnant occupies a building that was once a bar known as ‘The Dueling Pistols’ back in the day. Frazier is worried about the safety of the homeless who are staying here, revealing they have been spat upon and even threatened with bodily harm, one person posting on Facebook they were thinking of tossing lit matches in hopes an inferno would rid the area of people some obviously feel have no right to live.
Aransas Pass Progress
Homeless Feel They’re Not Welcome in Aransas Pass
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