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Waco Police outline summer violence strategy: data-driven patrols, TAG collaboration and emphasis on nonfatal shootings
Summary
Police leaders reported citywide declines in several crime categories year-to-date and described tactics for the summer: directed patrols, prioritizing nonfatal shootings, weekly gun-crime intelligence meetings, and continued partnership in a regional TAG (anti-gang) center.
Waco Police Department leaders briefed the City Council on their summer strategy to prevent violent crime, emphasizing data-driven deployments, sustained investigations, and regional partnerships.
Chief Victoria (Waco Police Department) said that under the department’s transition to FBI NIBRS reporting, the city is down 3% in crimes against persons, 14% in crimes against property and 10% in crimes against society year-to-date, and she stressed that “crime is still at a historic low in the city of Waco.”
Commander Adam Brewer described directed patrols—deploying officers to specific high-crime areas identified by in-house crime analysts—and said the division will prioritize safety, initial investigation quality and team integration (including canine and traffic units) when responding to calls for service.
Commander Real George, who oversees Special Victims and investigative units, said the department is participating in the federally funded National Case Closed Project to improve investigations of fatal and nonfatal shootings. He said the department will now prioritize nonfatal-shooting investigations, assign detectives to respond to those scenes, expand forensic evidence collection, and hold weekly gun-crime intelligence meetings.
Commander Pedro Sotto described multiagency regional work through the Texas Anti-Gang Center (TAG), which brings together local, state and federal partners to investigate gang-related violent crime. He said operations will include targeted enforcement events in June and August that use intelligence and crime maps to concentrate resources during higher-risk periods (weekends and late afternoon/evening hours).
The department also cited recent investigative results: a narcotics operation that led to 24 arrests and multiple seizures and a separate multi-county investigation that produced 11 arrests of Bandido motorcycle gang members. Chief Victoria and commanders emphasized prevention, neighborhood engagement and encouraging residents to report suspicious activity.
