No Significant Jump in Longview Shelter Victims after Kilgore Center’s Close

LONGVIEW — The closing of Kilgore Crisis Center four months ago has not significantly boosted the number of abused spouses seeking shelter at a sister shelter in Longview, officials report. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The Kilgore Crisis Center closed September 9 after state auditors discovered payroll discrepancies resulting in a roughly $130,000 debt. Since then, Kilgore police have looked to the Women’s Center of East Texas in Longview when they encounter people who need immediate rescue from abuse.

“Our shelter (population) numbers have not gone up much at all,” Women’s Center director Shannon Trest said, adding that there has been a small increase in non-shelter needs devoted to Kilgore spouses — services such as basic financial training, legal advocacy and support groups. “Our non-residential numbers have gone up about 12 percent, and that’s only been since September,” said Trest. “We’re very, very stable. “It was heartbreaking when that program closed, but we moved quickly and hopefully with minimal damage.”

Randy Renshaw, a sales broker/associate with Coldwell Banker Lenhart Properties in Kilgore, said Wednesday that he’s had no serious bites on the crisis center property (pictured). Renshaw, who also is a Kilgore city councilman, added, “I know there are a lot of people who would like to see somebody purchase the building and reopen the crisis center. There’s definitely a need for it.”