DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
San Antonio Police Department 2016 Review
SUMMARY:
Throughout 2016, the San Antonio Police Department demonstrated its continued commitment to implement policies, procedures and training that promote transparency and reinforce its partnership with the community. Due in large measure to the efforts of the SAPD over the last decade, the Department was one of 15 law enforcement agencies selected by the United States Department of Justice to participate in the Advancing 21st Century Policing Initiative and serve as a national model for community policing. Major cities throughout the nation, including San Antonio, experienced in an increase in violent crime. While there is no national consensus on the reason for the increase, in San Antonio it can be largely attributed to high risk behavior. In response, the SAPD has developed and implemented strategies to address those factors.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Violent Crime
In 2016, a total of 151 murders were committed in San Antonio, which represents a 60% increase from the previous year. As noted above, major cities across the nation experienced a significant crime increase. The table below provides a murder comparison through September 30, 2016 among several major cities:
City
2015 YTD
2016 YTD
% Change
Austin, TX
13
24
84.6%
Dallas, TX
103
136
32.0%
San Antonio, TX
78
114
46.2%
Ft. Worth, TX
45
46
2.2%
Houston, TX
211
243
15.2%
San Diego, CA
24
32
33.3%
San Jose, CA
23
37
60.9%
In response to the concentrated violence observed in the Eastside, in February 2016 the SAPD implemented the Eastside Initiative to reduce drug and gang violence. This ongoing Initiative is comprised of various local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies to proactively reduce criminal activity. The results of this effort through December 29, 2016 are as follows:
Activities
Total (Feb. 21 - D...
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