SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Police Department Street Crimes Unit may soon get a much needed boost in its mission to fight violence around the city.
Police Chief William McManus requested to add 15 additional officers to the unit. It would include three sergeants, two detectives, 10 officers and seven patrol cars.
"That unit has been so successful in working the violent crimes with the Violent Crimes Task Force. We've got well over a thousand arrests so far this year," McManus said.
The recommendation was made during the City Council's Public Safety Committee hearing Tuesday.
McManus said the recommendation has nothing to do with vacancies in the department.
"There are special units that will build their strength back up once we get flushed with our staffing strength, but as far as patrol goes, as far as answering calls for service goes, there are no holes," McManus said.
If the recommendation is approved by City Council, it will cost the city $2 million. Some of that is coming from money set aside by the council in the 2017 budget.
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