Throughout October and November of 2017, TCSO conducted an initiative focused on reducing crime in the Wells Branch community. The six-week initiative which took place from October 8 – November 15, 2017 consisted of both undercover and overt operations. On November 28, 2017, TCSO hosted a Town Hall meeting to share details of the completed operation with residents. At that meeting TCSO Captain Craig Smith promised attendees and media representatives that our agency would release statistical analysis of crime in the area once December data had been collected and analyzed, to present a picture of where things stood the month after the initiative ended.

JULY 15 – AUGUST 15, 2017 (Pre-initiative Reports)

• Violent Crimes
• Robbery: 4
• Assault: 6
• Aggravated Assault: 2
• Narcotics: 24
• Property Crimes
• Burglary of Residence: 8
• Auto Theft: 11
• Burglary of Vehicle: 27
• Theft: 21
• Traffic Offenses
• DWI: 8
• Collisions: 27

NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 15, 2017 (Post-initiative Reports)

• Violent Crimes
• Robbery: 1  75% Decrease
• Assault: 4  33% Decrease
• Aggravated Assault: 1  50% Decrease
• Narcotics: 17  29% Decrease
• Property Crimes
• Burglary of Residence: 4  50% Decrease
• Auto Theft: 5  55% Decrease
• Burglary of Vehicle: 11  59% Decrease
• Theft: 11  48% Decrease
• Traffic Offenses
• DWI: 3  63% Decrease
• Collisions: 25  7% Decrease

It’s important to note that this initiative is not an indication that Wells Branch is an unsafe neighborhood. It’s a densely populated area where crime rates had begun to show an increase. The goal was to reduce crime through a concentrated effort. These results were accomplished through community engagement, education and collaboration. During this initiative TCSO worked closely with the Austin Police Department, Pflugerville Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. We will continue to engage the community and work together to keep crime rates low.

TCSO started these initiatives in 2017. The first concentrated on the Del Valle area. These operations will be an ongoing practice in the months and years to come and will target areas where statistical analysis shows an uptick in criminal activity.