In the wake of the murder of teenager Zoe Hastings, the communities of Lake Highlands, Lochwood and Lakewood we’re left reeling, searching for answers of how to prevent future tragedies. One neighbor is asking businesses to take a more active role by petitioning them to install security cameras.
“We hope that the presence of the security cameras will deter criminal activities from happening in our neighborhood plus catch those that unfortunately might happen in the future,” the Change.org petition states.
Police have been actively searching for security footage that might have captured Hastings, or anyone she might have crossed paths with, between 4:40 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 11, when she went missing. Police believe she stopped at the Walgreens on Peavy and Garland to return a Redbox movie on her way to church the day she disappeared, and are looking for video confirmation of her whereabouts, and anyone she may have encountered while there.
A witness reported seeing a woman who matched Hastings’ description at the Walgreens that afternoon, according to Dallas police. The witness said the teen was talking to a black man, about 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, with dark bushy hair, who then got into the minivan and the pair left the scene. Police are looking for any other witnesses who may have seen the teen or the man at Walgreens that day.
“This is not the first time something has happened to someone outside of Walgreens. We are hoping that it will be the last by asking local businesses around the Lochwood area to install security cameras outside of their stores,” the petition states, which as of Wednesday morning had been signed by more than 200 people in the first 14 hours.
Police also believe the minivan crashed into a stop sign on Peavy after leaving the Walgreens and kept driving. They are looking for any witnesses who may have seen the accident or have security footage of Peavy that might have captured the minivan.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit 214.671.3584. There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Get all of the Advocate’s coverage on Zoe Hastings by clicking here.