DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Update - Cite and Release Policy
SUMMARY:
During 2007, the Texas Legislature authorized cite and release programs. This decision was based on overcrowding in county jails throughout the state. As a result, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) provided an update to the Public Safety Committee in December on the implementation of a cite and release policy for residents of Bexar County that commit eligible offenses in coordination with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. Implementation will significantly benefit the community by increasing officer availability and providing young offenders resources through diversion programs that will minimize the likelihood of the offender from engaging in further illegal activity. The Department has developed training materials, updated policies and purchased equipment in anticipation of implementing a cite and release program by April 2019.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Program Scope
The Department met with District Attorney Gonzalez on November 26 and December 17 to discuss issues related to cite and release to include eligible offenses. The program will expand Bexar County's cite and release pilot program by including all eligible offenses defined in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure except graffiti and criminal mischief. The table below provides an overview of the number of arrests made by the SAPD for eligible offenses since 2014.
Offense
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Class A Poss Marijuana
267
247
205
279
356
Class B Poss Marijuana
3,137
2,754
2,161
3,219
4,916
Class A Poss of Sub Penalty Group 2-A 4 oz or less
23
27
22
57
84
Class B Poss of Sub Penalty Group 2-A 2 oz or less
76
43
183
606
1,321
Class B Criminal Mischief
235
240
186
284
293
Class A Graffiti* |10 10 10 1010|11
Class B Graffiti* |10 1010|24
11
24
Class B Theft/of Service
3,361
2,623
1,485
1,844
2,249
...
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