Court Opinion

ID: 9644790
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 21:05:02.386426+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:11:18.414809
License: Public Domain

DRAUGHN, Justice,
concurring.
I concur in the opinion but write separately to clarify one aspect of the case I consider important for future reference.
In my opinion, had the appellant offered specific evidence of prior acts of violence against patrons on the sidewalks immediately adjacent to the Sam Houston Coliseum during prior rock-type concerts sponsored by Pace, or of which Pace, being in the business, should have been aware, I would have held them subject to liability. But I also attach a caveat for future reference that Pace and other such sponsors are now on notice because of this tragic occurrence, that if they expect to profit from such concerts by attracting large numbers of young people, they should be prepared to assume responsibility for a modicum of security in the immediate area outside the building, which would at least allow patrons to get on and off the premises without being assaulted or robbed.
It would also seem appropriate for the Houston Police Department to re-evaluate its policy decision about patrolling the area prior to and after such concerts. It would be particularly appropriate to patrol at least one such as this where the concert and the attendant violence was located only a few short blocks from the main headquarters of the Houston Police Department. As to any attendant liability on the city for failure to do so after repeated acts of violence are documented, that question must also await further examination either by the legislature or the courts. At present no such liability exists under the facts presented by this case.