I want to share with you the information contained in a comprehensive presentation made to the Boerne City Council on Feb. 27.
Accidents
There was a substantial decline in fatal (-400%) and injury accidents (-25.7%). It underscores the success of traffic safety initiatives, making the community a safer place for residents and visitors.
Though traffic has risen in our city, we continue to encourage our officers to be vigilant in their traffic enforcement and look out for speeding, running red lights and stop signs.
Animal Control
The Boerne Police Department took over the Animal Control Department from the Parks Department in early 2023.
In 2021 we took in 558 animals, in 2022 that number jumped to 821 and last year it rose again to 864. The increase can be attributed to improved reporting and community awareness.
Our animal control personnel are doing a fantastic job engaging with our community to bring more adoptions and foster homes for our four-legged residents.
Arrests
There was a decrease in felony (-2%) and misdemeanor arrests (-10%), which shows our proactive approach in crime prevention is paying off.
However, there was a rise (+11%) in emergency detentions. We continue to prioritize our commitment to mental health and public safety with investments in our mental health officer and the work she does every day with our community partners.
Community Engagement
The overall calls for service show a minimal increase of 0.3% in Kendall County, but a notable decrease in calls specific to the local area, which was down 9%.
Our residents expect help to arrive when they call 911 and we are committed to answering those calls even as they increase.
Crime Rates
There was a significant reduction in both crimes against persons (-7.5%) and property crimes (-16%). I believe the biggest reason for this is the knowledge we continue to give our residents.
We have placed a strong focus on addressing and preventing criminal activities within the community. Educating our residents on locking doors, removing valuables from their vehicles and taking their key fobs out of the cars is helping reduce the number of vehicles stolen or burglarized.
Traffic Stops and Enforcement
The department continues to prioritize traffic safety, with a decrease in citations (-15.6%) and warnings (-10.8%) compared to the previous year. The numbers indicate our enhanced focus on education and prevention.
Awards
I always like to save the best part of my annual report for last. The Boerne Police Department has recognized the following officers and dispatchers for the great work and accomplishments in 2023. These members of the Boerne Police Department truly exemplify our department’s values and we are very lucky they are part of the department.
• Officer of the Year: Community police officer Christopher Dingman.
• Dispatcher of the Year: Elizabeth Morger.
• Top Gun Award: Detective James Estrada.
• Fit for Duty Award (male): School resource officer (BMS-N) Cpl. David Chavez.
• Fit for Duty Award (female): Patrol officer Ramona Ramirez.
Summary
The 2023 Boerne Police Department annual report portrays a positive trajectory in crime reduction, traffic safety, and community engagement.
These numbers will always fluctuate, but I believe if we continue to empower our community to make safe decisions for them and their families our strategic initiatives and community-oriented approach will continue to contribute to the overall well-being of the local population.
Visit our website to read the entire report: https://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/665/Reports-and-Crime-Statistics.
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