Leon Valley police: violent crime down in Jan–Sept snapshot, property crimes and auto thefts rising

Leon Valley’s police chief told city council on Nov. 4 that in a nine-month snapshot (January–September) violent crimes were down compared with 2024 but property crimes, including larceny and auto theft, increased.

"Our violent crime, 2024 versus 2025, we're down," Chief David Gonzalez said during a presentation that also stressed the city’s unusual daytime population: "Leon Valley at a glance, 11,000 residents. However, we have probably in excess of 90,000 visitors every day." Gonzalez said that combination of a small resident population and high daily traffic contributes to thefts concentrated at apartment complexes and in the parking lots for H‑E‑B and Hobby Lobby.

Gonzalez told council that some businesses have stopped reporting shoplifting because witness and court requirements make prosecution costly for employers. "When you file a case, you have to have a witness," the chief said, noting that businesses sometimes decline to pursue cases because employees must miss work to appear in court.

The chief described targeted enforcement limitations given available patrol staffing and urged continued council support for grant applications and technology purchases. He referenced a recently approved Flock camera grant and asked the council to back requests for equipment and personnel funding, warning that reduced patrol availability could undermine neighborhood safety.

Councilors pressed for more detailed, neighborhood-level statistics and for a full-year report; Gonzalez said he will provide annual metrics in January and can present neighborhood breakdowns after staff compiles the data.

No formal action was taken; the presentation functioned as an informational update and a request for future grant support and program funding.