Crime Increasing With Oil Boom
By: KLST News
Updated: February 5, 2013
The oil industry is booming in west Texas. The cities of Midland and Odessa have seen a crime increase, most noticeably in violent crime such as rape and assault.
As the boom heads to San Angelo, the city is bracing itself for something it's never seen.
"No. I don't think San Angelo is prepared. It's very difficult to try to prepare for this type of growth. Especially when you are looking at housing, staffing, those type of things. Ya, i don't think we are prepared for that."
Since 2008, crime has decreased in San Angelo by 45%, down 2.7% in 2012 alone.
San Angelo Police Chief Tim Vasquez says maintaining that number might be a hard task in the near future.
"It's going to be difficult with the incoming population and oil boom. "
With the possibility of growth in population, Vasquez says we can expect to see an increase in crime, much like cites to the west of San Angelo.
"You're going to see an increase in thefts, those type of property crimes. And that's very concerning to us, especially where were at. We have 17 recruits that are about to hit the streets which will be helpful at the time that occurs."
According to the Uniform Crime Report for the city of Odessa, in the first 6 months of 2012 the city saw an increase in six different part 1 crimes, totaling a 19.31 percent increase from the first six months of 2011.
The city of Midland saw a 15% increase in forcible rape and cases of aggravated assault were up about 27.38% from 2011-2012.
Midland Chief of Police Price Robinson has been helping Vasquez prepare for the population growth and says the best advice is to be proactive.
That's what you have to do. You just can't get caught behind the curve because it is very hard to catch up."
SAPD is currently staffed at about 1.72 officers per thousand, which Vasquez says is a number he'd like to maintain.
"Our officers on the streets have this line and will do what they can to impress to our new residents that certain things will not be tolerated in our community."
In preparations due to the concern of a crime boom in San Angelo, weekly meetings are being held with different groups of law enforcement officials from Tom Green County.
As the boom heads to San Angelo, the city is bracing itself for something it's never seen.
"No. I don't think San Angelo is prepared. It's very difficult to try to prepare for this type of growth. Especially when you are looking at housing, staffing, those type of things. Ya, i don't think we are prepared for that."
Since 2008, crime has decreased in San Angelo by 45%, down 2.7% in 2012 alone.
San Angelo Police Chief Tim Vasquez says maintaining that number might be a hard task in the near future.
"It's going to be difficult with the incoming population and oil boom. "
With the possibility of growth in population, Vasquez says we can expect to see an increase in crime, much like cites to the west of San Angelo.
"You're going to see an increase in thefts, those type of property crimes. And that's very concerning to us, especially where were at. We have 17 recruits that are about to hit the streets which will be helpful at the time that occurs."
According to the Uniform Crime Report for the city of Odessa, in the first 6 months of 2012 the city saw an increase in six different part 1 crimes, totaling a 19.31 percent increase from the first six months of 2011.
The city of Midland saw a 15% increase in forcible rape and cases of aggravated assault were up about 27.38% from 2011-2012.
Midland Chief of Police Price Robinson has been helping Vasquez prepare for the population growth and says the best advice is to be proactive.
That's what you have to do. You just can't get caught behind the curve because it is very hard to catch up."
SAPD is currently staffed at about 1.72 officers per thousand, which Vasquez says is a number he'd like to maintain.
"Our officers on the streets have this line and will do what they can to impress to our new residents that certain things will not be tolerated in our community."
In preparations due to the concern of a crime boom in San Angelo, weekly meetings are being held with different groups of law enforcement officials from Tom Green County.
