[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6482874,"mediaKeyId","5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6","parentId",5602197,"title","San Antonio budget hearing centers on proposal to add officers as council debates patrol ratio","audioSeconds",1863,"startMs",1145000,"endMs",3008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6&start=1145&end=3008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6/thumbnail_1145000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6482874/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/San-Antonio-budget-hearing-centers-on-proposal-to-add-officers-as-council-debates-patrol-ratio","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482874-7ed8be03b127365fff0e983e4bff8c86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432213&Signature=bTayRYXL4nrHt4EEDPpMv66P4qNwE9P3PXTRbwCXfGKW7eC4lUqhYrKP9yNLr5k4VHPZZ1TzKMrGlpJEKoe8OO10GRLAK-djg3PfluoKCSZJPAbNly6lnJqAlgvFF36yDjiXn-vuGkY0o5hK-XR1V~hGahJtlOIqxQLSDfVKk30mglGJPgc0~qetZeImM38Cw67N8WGV4zblsUS9AmM6q1LMotB4AecoWDa2D6wkC4-mNFSFOI1G5VpG850Tq71iBgFVSnh0XCaSbqVwz91pJ3va1-cQt6AWQ2G5tjkTR9X0VR26VTA8BVztVNy~T6iC1PGcTVG4qb8X3AW1MtKcXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Antonio","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","SAN ANTONIO — City leaders reviewed public safety budget proposals during the City of San Antonio’s Aug. 19, 2025 budget session, with debate focused on adding sworn police officers to reach an operational goal described in staff reports as a 60% proactive patrol / 40% calls-for-service split.

Police officials told the council that the department currently fields about 2,893 uniformed officers and roughly 992 civilian positions, and that an earlier staffing study recommended a target that would require 360 officers to sustain the 60/40 patrol goal. \"If we add the officers to get to the 60/40 split, we'd have more officers doing proactive neighborhood work,\" a police presenter said during the meeting.

The presentation detailed a staff estimate for an incremental hiring package council members asked about: adding 40 officers to reach a total of 65 additional officers would cost $2.1 million in fiscal 2026 and $5.9 million in fiscal 2027, the presenter said. Council members repeatedly urged moving sooner to secure those positions, citing public-safety priorities and neighborhood concerns.

Supporters of the hiring plan said greater patrol presence would increase proactive engagement and potentially reduce calls for service; skeptics and some council members said hiring must be balanced with other investments — for example, lighting, anti-violence programs and services for older residents and youth — and pressed for clearer metrics tying added officers to crime reductions in specific districts.

Council members asked staff for more granular data on crime trends by district, the demographic breakdown of medical calls (which city fire/EMS officials described as the department’s largest call type), and how proposed incentives and pay adjustments affect recruitment and retention. Staff said they would provide follow-up materials, including district-level breakdowns and additional analyses of patrol workload.

Several council members noted that federal and state grant opportunities may help offset initial hiring costs. Staff said an application was submitted for a federal COPS grant covering 25 officers; the grant would cover three years and require a local cash match after the grant period ends.

The council’s discussion also touched on technology and specialty units. Staff described plans to expand real-time analytics, body-worn camera improvements and pilot projects using artificial intelligence to analyze camera video; members asked about privacy, oversight and how those systems would be governed.

No formal vote on the hiring package or the overall public-safety budget was recorded during the session. Council members directed staff to return with additional information and cost options; staff committed to delivering further details before the council’s next budget deadline.

Ending — The Aug. 19 presentation left key policy questions unresolved: whether the council will fund the full hiring package immediately, the balance between sworn hires and non-sworn investments (lighting, social services, and juvenile prevention programs), and how new technology pilots will be governed. Staff said they will submit follow-up analyses and cost details to the council ahead of future budget votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Antonio - Sesión Especial del Consejo de la Ciudad Aug 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City leaders reviewed public safety budget proposals during the City of San Antonio’s Aug. 19, 2025 budget session, with debate focused on adding sworn police officers to reach an operational goal described in staff reports as a 60% proactive patrol / 40% calls-for-service split.","taxTitle","San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas","taxId",2771,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482860,"City presents mental-health response team data and Good Neighbor program as part of safety strategy",155,2190000,2345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6&start=2190&end=2345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6/thumbnail_2190000.jpg","/articles/6482860/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/City-presents-mental-health-response-team-data-and-Good-Neighbor-program-as-part-of-safety-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482860-30ff335b331f2f440de1abe27f30a84d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432213&Signature=je~2rs-Wt03ObeyG8Nxu-nrrJKJ7ukFpDBaQabHQzzbahgJw-73gBl1sPvOn8bXmAydRhjUNjSo6JTcfQFZkohGpbO4tB9QA10m4aJyHfrN4j6jj4hL~ab6MhCQN8iFtF0d00WjYChB1Q5cwuTufkDz17hQkxMta4X52Crxy5oOgTAyVWkKXgFzDEsfF24RoLJz0gQlW~NQT8sTDbjQmbr8~kxf7WC5AlX4-q2kHizaVn~LoNMmx9VOLeS-QP3t95QHsqX~Kp4rs3fs0gYw75qbD6eHNXjsaBd00cpJMHxW0yvnbeZ6V6iIIN7a-akMOEnndOXzfcum7RZUn3qp7mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SAN ANTONIO — City mental-health response staff presented an update on embedded mental-health teams and the Good Neighbor (Buen Vecino) program during the Aug. 19, 2025 budget session, reporting call counts, transport figures and outcomes and asking council to consider expansion options.

Jessie Hagens, city mental-health program lead, said the co-responder program (described in the presentation as ICORM/MIH) began in April 2022 and expanded from a single team to three teams. Staff reported cumulative call volumes (presentation figures provided in session): through July the program logged 2,520 responses classified as emergency detention/transport or scene resolution; of those, staff said 595 individuals received CHCS appointments and only one arrest resulted from the program’s responses.

The Good Neighbor program — a multi-department effort that targets single-family properties generating concentrated service calls — was described as operating on a referral threshold (properties with at least 12 calls in a three-month period are considered for the program). Staff said Good Neighbor maintains an active caseload of about 25 properties and prioritizes interventions using a neighborhood-index algorithm that incorporates call volume and other factors.

Council members asked how the mental-health teams could expand outreach, whether the teams could complete transports directly to non-hospital follow-up services and how to fund growth without creating unsustainable recurring costs. Staff said federal grant opportunities were being pursued for additional officer hiring and that long-term local funding would be required to sustain expanded service beyond pilot periods.

Ending — Councilmembers expressed support for expanding mobile mental-health services but asked staff to provide options, expected outcomes and cost estimates before the council makes funding commitments.","City staff described the Mental Health Response (ICORM/MIH) teams’ call outcomes, transport numbers and efforts to expand voluntary crisis services; council members discussed how to scale services and integrate them with patrol operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482865,"Municipal courts outline operations, magistrate duties and juvenile programs in budget presentation",256,2973000,3229000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6&start=2973&end=3229","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6/thumbnail_2973000.jpg","/articles/6482865/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Municipal-courts-outline-operations-magistrate-duties-and-juvenile-programs-in-budget-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482865-67aafbf4ac417fab94d407a70efa03f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432213&Signature=jH~~Kw~CgPuPZU38G4ItiM3cpB9aOKgQmFbyMCqI7fpjo9pop0hU9NTqIZd63WNIsMccLQcimMvul579la9GEaqbUvW3OyGf7iBScDkIxXgRih8dheUAx5Zv0s5Dw6PpVx8mNxNqc1O-LOrGTmeONHw9fwIMDOU8~QwWEhjj4ruuE4SWP87IsIAbiRdy4J3ZrUWqLtcwqfu0-dGtLe6Y5q2QXfCEwcViyIZXWHfRwJjWdrIbxkGIgx1eJHI7q7eUxC8y53-KsBYkiBPWDwQ2IAnWrcbjs2GozgzE5M0J4Ko2Y~Fsrq3zbrEFymhcfbCPPX3~BVnNvnH0tX6HRnqscQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SAN ANTONIO — Presiding judges of the municipal courts presented the courts’ budget request and an overview of daily operations on Aug. 19, 2025, describing magistrate duties, specialized dockets for juveniles and alternatives to incarceration, and the court’s outreach and reminder-systems.

Judge Carlo (presenter identified himself as presiding judge) explained that municipal courts handle Class C misdemeanor violations, animal-related crimes and other city ordinance cases. He described magistrate duties — informing arrested persons of charges and rights, setting conditions for release, and issuing emergency detention orders when appropriate. The judges emphasized use of discretion to tailor conditions to the defendant’s circumstances, including payment plans, community service and alternatives when income is insufficient.

Judges described specialized dockets for juveniles and other case types that focus on education, compliance and rehabilitation; the court works with community partners to refer young people to enrichment and support services. They also noted that some community services are limited because many local providers operate with long waiting lists and limited free slots.

Court staff highlighted technology and customer-service improvements: expanded text reminders and online payments, which the courts said have reduced no-shows and administrative burden. The presentation included revenue and collections figures reported as available in staff materials; judges said they would provide additional case-by-case clearance and disposition data on request.

Council members asked the judges to provide more data on case dismissals and repeat offenders and to coordinate with police and county magistrates about duplicative magistrate duties. Judges said they would follow up with requested data and work to identify where duplicative procedures create operational burdens.

Ending — The courts requested funding for ongoing operations and outreach; council members asked for additional data on case outcomes, collections and community referrals to aid future budget decisions.","Presiding municipal court judges described daily operations, magistrate functions, specialized dockets for youths and pet-related cases, and the court’s emphasis on neutrality and alternatives to incarceration during the Aug. 19 budget session.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6482870,"Fire department seeks two new squads, drones and a needs assessment in proposed FY26 budget",682,372000,1054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6&start=372&end=1054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602197-dcb3427daf31153f0be58486abc1f0f6/thumbnail_372000.jpg","/articles/6482870/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Fire-department-seeks-two-new-squads-drones-and-a-needs-assessment-in-proposed-FY26-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482870-3ec79bc5f4004962734e7b9ab2927b5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432213&Signature=HRsFm2ksyR3OtKtqF3Is5CDtOJC9GsPe3jLha9QEQepgLn0hG8zc7929FCcRWX9cKBtBy9mUQavTtxsl~rUo5nL1DENgmgpjQ4EEg2MT-ncJsLgEaSO-ZxcmfHLQVel0mqGi38cxpXdGKqiaiRA1Rc~bkigTZG5VQp1gTdkgjDjPZPASHMqRKl4vvCqoKfsfC0iUhJ1DFkb~2Sfyk1~KcV3XZyGw3iRka4HcNgnjN55O5E812Az84mGI~FTtLKpldKihi3-yv6mncjHwVnqncVuJOe6QcxIaA-w6-FK1ga-IM9C~gP5RV8qec~OdE~r-TRZixG0mLROOvO5c~eUsbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SAN ANTONIO — Fire department leadership presented a package of operational changes and capital requests during the City of San Antonio’s Aug. 19, 2025 budget hearing, including two new two-person squad units, a proposed $291,000 drone purchase and a comprehensive needs assessment estimated at $1.4 million.

Fire officials said the department holds an ISO Class 1 rating and has maintained accreditation through a peer-review process; they noted nearly 80–89% of their calls are medical in nature and that medical responses represent the largest share of workload. \"La parte médica es quien la la carga más grande…\" the fire presenter said, underscoring the EMS-heavy call mix.

The squads — two-person units placed at Station 10 and Station 21 if approved — are intended to reduce response times and decrease wear on larger apparatus by assigning appropriately sized resources to high-frequency, lower-acuity calls. Fire staff said the squad deployments, if funded, would start in July 2026. Presenters also noted the proposal anticipates savings in overtime and vehicle repair costs once squads reduce demand on larger engines.

The department requested funding for a comprehensive needs assessment covering personnel, facilities and equipment to identify service gaps and plan for city growth; staff estimated the study at about $1.4 million. Fire leadership described station upgrades and several ongoing capital projects at Stations 21, 33 and 10.

On technology and equipment, the department proposed purchasing tethered and free-flight drones (six flight units) for varied applications and noted this would be the first time the department acquired this type of capability. Staff said the drone procurement would not require licensed operators if approved and listed projected savings from other reductions (restructuring a civilian position and converting a role to a contractor) to offset costs.

Councilmembers questioned metrics used to measure response times, geographic deployment across large districts and how squads would affect worker fatigue and long-term staffing. Fire leaders said the squad model aims to rebalance workload on the busiest companies and to improve sleep and readiness by evening out call volume across units.

Ending — The department’s proposals were presented as part of the FY26 budget discussion; council members asked for more granular performance and station-level data and for the planned needs assessment to include recommendations for station capacity and staffing models. No formal appropriation was taken during the session.","San Antonio Fire Department chiefs presented proposals for two ‘squad’ units at Stations 10 and 21 to reduce response times and workload, a $291,000 drone purchase, and a $1.4 million comprehensive needs assessment of personnel, facilities and equipment for future planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

San Antonio budget hearing centers on proposal to add officers as council debates patrol ratio

City presents mental-health response team data and Good Neighbor program as part of safety strategy

Municipal courts outline operations, magistrate duties and juvenile programs in budget presentation

Fire department seeks two new squads, drones and a needs assessment in proposed FY26 budget