The Man Who Adopted 55 METRO Stops/Shelters

While most folks are asleep at night, John Branch drives his pick-up truck around his neighborhood of Independence Heights, patrolling METRO bus stops and shelters.

The 49-year-old entrepreneur has made it his mission to banish crime in his neighborhood between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Branch has officially adopted 55 METRO bus stops/shelters since June of this year - and unofficially one transit center.

Last Thursday at the METRO board meeting, CEO and President Frank J. Wilson honored Branch with a certificate of appreciation, saying, "This individual has outdone himself."

The METRO Adopt-a-Stop/Adopt-a-Shelter program works with volunteers who help fight vandalism and crime. By helping keep the area clean, the chance for criminal activity declines. METRO has about 1,200 bus shelters and 10,000 bus stops in the Houston area.

To Branch, his late-night solo drives were a no-brainer.

"There was a problem we were having with prostitution and drug dealing and people sleeping there," says Branch.

Branch has customized his Yukon truck with stroke lights in the flashers and a beacon light in the back of the truck, which shines through the window. His nocturnal outings have made a difference in a neighborhood of mostly senior citizens.

"They know when they see me, they best keep walking," says Branch, of drug dealers and prostitutes. "I had people when I cut the lights on, they take off."

Branch, a single father with grown children, gets by with only three or four hours of sleep at night. During the day, he runs his remodeling business, Mr. John, the Remodification Specialist.

Why does he spend his nights on the streets cleaning trash at METRO bus stops and chasing away criminal activity?

"I'm proud of the historical significance of the area," says Branch. "The seniors in the neighborhood taught me the value. It's a legacy - for my children and their children. Somebody's got to take a stand, and I want to show pride in my neighborhood."

As president of the Independence Heights War on Drugs Civic Club, Branch said he had tried to launch a citizens' patrol but lacked sufficient members to do so.

Then he found out about METRO's Adopt-a-Stop/Adopt-a-Shelter program and thought it was the perfect partnership.

"My main thing is to make sure there's no illegal activity going on," says Branch. "METRO has people who go around and clean the shelters. Sometimes they beat me, and sometimes I beat them. If the trash can is overflowing - there are five or six stops that need to be cleaned - I will go home and get a trailer and sacks and rake."

Branch says he's not afraid to drive up to the scene of potential crime.

"I'm not by myself. The Lord is with me," he says. "As long as I feel I'm doing his will, he'll protect me."

Branch, who was featured on Fox 26 News recently, says he's not through adopting. His goal is to adopt 100 METRO bus stops/shelters. To get there, he says he'll have to patrol outside his neighborhood.

"Come in, join in," invites Branch. "You can still adopt with me."