Sachse police present 2024 year-end review, cite declines in major crimes and new equipment/training initiatives

Sachse — Police Chief Sylvester and Assistant Chief Baxter presented the Sachse Police Department’s 2024 year-end review to the City Council on Feb. 17, reporting an overall decline in Part 1 crimes and describing new equipment, training and community outreach initiatives the department implemented last year.

The review, delivered by Assistant Chief Baxter and Chief Sylvester during the council’s discussion period, emphasized crime trends and operational metrics. “When we pick out some of these crimes, we highlight the ones we feel are really important to the citizens and then to y’all,” Assistant Chief Baxter told the council, explaining the department’s focus on selected offenses and noting how small-number swings can distort percentage changes.

Baxter said Part 1 crimes — the category used for more serious offenses — fell about 19% year over year, while Part 2 crimes rose, driven in part by increased officer-initiated activity such as traffic stops. He highlighted a drop in residential burglaries tied in part to reduced construction activity: “Last year … a lot of our houses, the way the state law and the NIBRS code reads is if you have 4 walls on it and you don't habitate it, then it is a building,” Baxter said, noting building burglaries fell from 19 to 10 and that storage units and sheds accounted for many of this year’s building burglary reports.

The chiefs described results for several specific categories: vehicle burglaries were largely attributable to unlocked vehicles rather than forced entries, Baxter said; DWI arrests rose as patrols targeted drivers leaving bars; and the department continues to work with neighboring agencies on auto-theft rings. “Lock your car door,” Baxter reiterated during the presentation.

Chief Sylvester listed infrastructure and equipment accomplishments, including multi-year radio upgrades, added AEDs and LifeVac anti-choking devices to patrol vehicles, trauma kits and Narcan, and expanded technology and transparency measures on the police webpage. He also described partnerships with Collin College for recruit training and noted the department completed an animal shelter project under budget and on time.

Looking ahead, Sylvester and Baxter said the department is preparing a flock-camera proposal and is conducting an executive workload analysis of lieutenant and assistant chief duties; they also described an ongoing wear test of load-bearing vests and said any procurement would be covered within the department’s existing budget. The chiefs noted continued training commitments — above the state-mandated hours — and plans to retain legacy community programs such as Citizens Police Academy, Cops and Campers and National Night Out.

Council members asked questions about specific trends and operations. Councilmember Pressenberg asked whether the department’s safe-trade/transfer spaces are used; Baxter said the two camera-monitored spots in front of the station are used multiple times per week for custody transfers and private transactions. Councilmember Millsap and others pressed on vehicle burglary messaging; Baxter and Sylvester attributed most vehicle losses to unlocked cars and urged residents to remove valuables.

Council discussion praised the department’s community focus and training. Several members reiterated that the department’s outreach and community presence contribute to public safety and the city’s relatively low crime rates compared with regional averages.

The presentation did not include a formal council vote but concluded with the chiefs offering to return with follow-up items, including policy updates and the flock-camera proposal if staff pursue grant options.