San Angelo police report higher property‑crime metrics, urge phased staffing and technology investments

San Angelo Police Chief Travis Griffith updated council at the planning workshop, reporting crime metrics, staffing progress and grant applications aimed at bolstering operations and intelligence‑led policing.

Key points from Chief Travis Griffith - Crime data: Griffith said San Angelo’s total crime rate compares unfavorably to many Texas peers on a per‑100,000 basis; property crime and family‑violence incidents were highlighted as particular concerns. Griffith said the department’s family‑violence rate was “almost double the state average” for 2024 and cited property crime and theft as areas where San Angelo ranked above comparable cities. - Staffing and recruitment: The chief described an active hiring program — including cadet classes and lateral hires — and credited sign‑on bonuses and other incentives for recent gains. He said the department would still need more officers to allow more proactive enforcement. - Technology and grants: The department is pursuing license‑plate readers, upgraded in‑car computers and radios, and multiple federal grants. Griffith described applications for asset‑and‑personnel grants (COPS, motor‑vehicle theft prevention), body and rifle plates for officer safety, and technology grants that would support a real‑time crime center. He said one real‑time crime center estimate included roughly $1.5 million for equipment and 3–5 positions.

Direct quote from the chief - “In the last 5 years, the San Angelo Police Department has conducted 122,000 traffic stops,” Chief Travis Griffith said in the presentation as part of a broader discussion of enforcement activity and resource needs.

Why it matters Chief Griffith framed the issues as partly operational (filling vacancies, technology procurement) and partly strategic (a sustained effort to reduce property crime and family‑violence incidents). He and staff asked council to continue supporting phased staffing increases, to sustain recruiting incentives and to back grant applications and technology investments.

Grants and programs noted - SAFER (fire staffing) and COPS applications were discussed as examples of federal funding mechanisms the city is pursuing; Griffith also mentioned Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority funding for license‑plate systems.

Ending Council members asked staff for more detail on the phased cost and timeline; the chief said he would continue seeking grant funding while the city considers targeted, phased investments to increase patrol capacity and technology support.