Paxton Chides Austin Judge Over Homeless Shelter Next to School

Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has shared scathing remarks against Travis County District Court Judge Aurora Martinez-Jones for denying an emergency hearing to shut down the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, located next to Joslin Elementary School in South Austin.

In a statement, Attorney General Paxton expressed, “it’s disgusting that this leftist judge would jeopardize the safety of these elementary students by allowing a hotspot for drugged-out, violent vagrants to continue operating as the school year starts.” “If Texas kids being stuck by needles or endangered by violent vagrants isn’t an ‘emergency,’ then what is?” he questioned.

The Attorney General’s Office sought a temporary restraining order to close the homeless shelter before the fall semester began, citing safety concerns following a violent stabbing at the facility.

Hours after the judge declined the request, a Joslin Elementary student was reportedly stuck by a hypodermic needle found on the playground, which potentially exposed the child to HIV, hepatitis, and other serious illnesses.

The attorney general followed up with a letter urging the court to reconsider. However, the court has not responded to the request.

Attorney General Paxton originally sued Sunrise in November 2024, alleging the taxpayer-funded shelter, which operates with support from the City of Austin, has “drastically harmed the quality of life in the area and endangered neighborhood residents, local businesses, and the students of nearby Joslin Elementary.”

According to his office, students and staff at the school have been forced to witness “the homeless walking around naked, fornicating, relieving themselves in public, and engaging in open drug use.”

The situation has, at times, reportedly led to lockdowns because of violent incidents.

The attorney general vows to continue pressing the case. “I will continue to defend Texas schoolchildren when others fail to protect them,” he commented.