Fair Oaks Ranch might just be the envy of the region when it comes to policing, according to Mayor Greg Maxton.
Maxton and City Manager Scott Huizenga were a one-two punch on the Spring Creek United Methodist Church stage Thursday, delivering the city’s annual “State of the City” address.
Of the city’s five core priorities covered during the meeting, the pair spent a majority of their time talking on what Maxton called “Priority No. 1,” public health and safety.
An hour before the address began, Police Chief Todd Smith officially dropped the “interim” from his title, taking part in an Oath of Office Ceremony that installed him as the city’s new chief.
Huizenga said the city was fortunate to find Smith, a 25-year veteran with the Austin Police Department who advanced to assistant police chief before retiring. Smith took the role in August 2024 as the city’s interim chief.
The city manager mentioned a boost in morale within the city’s police department, most of whom were seated in the first few rows. They were joined by officers and representatives from the Boerne Police Department, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and Austin Police Department.
“Since joining us, Todd has already made remarkable strides in advancing our Police Department’s mission of community engagement and safety,” Huizenga said. “We’re confident that the department will continue to excel in both protecting our residents and building strong community relationships.” After introducing city staff, Maxton reviewed data that shows Fair Oaks Ranch as one of the safest cities in the state. Fair Oaks was ranked as the 34th safest city in Texas in 2023.
“This is out of 1,900 cities in the state, putting us in the top 2%,” Maxton said. “We are proud to continue ranking as the No. 1 safest city in the Greater San Antonio area, demonstrating our commitment to a safe environment.”
Huizenga noted that police departments across the nation continually struggle to attract new recruits and fill out their rosters. In response, City Council approved in its adopted budget a formal Cadet Sponsorship Program.
Once selected, cadets are sponsored through the police academy and, upon completion, return to serve as officers in Fair Oaks Ranch.
“I am happy to report that through both the cadet program and enhanced recruitment, the department will have three new officers on patrol by March,” Huizenga said, adding, “We have completely turned the corner from last year. We’re one of the rare departments that actually has a waiting list for applicants to join our force.”
Police Cpl. Amanda Hinojosa received the award as Fair Oaks Ranch Employee of the Year, one of eight employees nominated for the award.
“Amanda has consistently fostered a sense of community through her leadership in organizing events like Trunk or Treat and Santa on the Ranch, and more,” Maxton said.
As head of the city’s newly formed Community Engagement Committee for the police department, the mayor said her “dedication to inclusivity and her ability to unite residents and colleagues alike have strengthened trust between the Police Department and the community.”
“Her positivity and servant leadership make her an inspiration to those around her and a vital part of our city’s success,” he added.
Maxton made light of a briefly unsettling trend in city crime and law enforcement.
“This past year, we did see several incidents of vehicles stolen within our city,” he said. “All of the vehicles taken were unlocked, and had the keys in them,” a statement met with brief laughter from the audience.
“If we can create an environment where these criminal groups cannot find unlocked vehicles with keys in them, they will stop targeting our area,” he said, adding that all the stolen vehicles were successfully located and returned to their owners.
On a more serious note, the city recognized K-9 police officer David Magness, who last spring responded to a medical emergency, only to find a 16-year-old performing CPR on her unconscious father, who was suffering a heart attack.
“ Officer Magness quickly assessed the situation, applied the AED and, with no pulse detected, delivered multiple shocks until the man’s heartbeat was re-established,” Maxton said. “Thanks to the quick thinking and decisive actions of both the daughter and officer Magness, the individual survived.”
For his heroic actions, Magness was awarded the city of Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department’s Life Saving Award.
“ This incident not only demonstrates Officer Magness’s courage and professionalism but also reflects the overall excellence of our Police Department,” the mayor said.
“Their response times across the city are consistently within minutes. When they arrive on scene, they act decisively and with the knowledge and determination needed to make the right things happen,” he added.
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