Austin's SPDI Unveils 2024 Violent Crime Reduction Strategy in Collaboration With UTASA

In a recent special session of the San Antonio City Council, officials discussed significant strategies aimed at reducing violent crime in the community. María Vargas, a key speaker at the meeting, highlighted the collaboration with the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to implement a multi-departmental approach to crime reduction.

One of the primary initiatives discussed is the "hash pass" strategy, which focuses on increasing police visibility in strategic locations. This approach has already shown promising results, with a notable decrease in violent crime reported in targeted areas.

Vargas detailed specific locations where these strategies are being applied, including the Rosemund Apartments and The Reserves at Pick and Valley. The Rosemund Apartments, with 252 units, experienced a reduction in violent criminal activity from July to December 2024. The Reserves, which has 357 units, began intensive activities in June 2025, including code enforcement notifications aimed at improving safety.

Another important program mentioned is "Good Neighbor" (Buen Vecino), which started in 2024. This initiative coordinates city departments to address chronic violence issues in single-family homes. Properties are identified based on emergency calls and are prioritized for intervention if they receive a significant number of calls within a short period. Currently, the program is actively working with at least 25 properties to connect residents with necessary services and enforcement actions.

Looking ahead, the city plans to launch a new strategy for violent crime reduction in 2026. This will involve a multi-agency collaboration to identify violent offenders and provide social support interventions to prevent recidivism.

The discussions at this meeting reflect San Antonio's commitment to enhancing community safety through targeted strategies and collaborative efforts, aiming to create a safer environment for all residents.