On June 27, Bee Cave City Council voted unanimously to approve a program that will allow neighborhood associations to access extra police patrols by paying the cost of overtime for those officers.
The program was inspired by complaints from Falconhead and Falconhead West about traffic issues, including drivers speeding, running stop signs and parking on the sidewalk, Mayor Kara King said.
City Manager Clint Garza said he expects the Falconhead neighborhood to sign an agreement with the city, and other neighborhoods could follow if the program proves helpful.
His office would receive and evaluate requests for the program, and if a neighborhood is denied it would have the right to appeal.
The officers would sign up on a voluntary basis, and the work would be done during overtime, Bee Cave Police Chief Brian Jones said.
Jones said four officers will work about four hours each week in Falconhead. The times the extra patrols are taking place would vary.
The officers would not enforce neighborhood rules, only laws, Jones said.
What they’re saying
Jones said officers have expressed interest in the overtime opportunity as a way to earn supplemental pay. He also said officers will be excited for an opportunity to address the numerous traffic complaints in the area that the department does not always have the resources to prioritize.
“I think the adding patrols are going to help and they are going to help quickly,” King said.
Zooming out
Jones said the program is dependent on having enough officers interested in participating and that he is unsure of the long-term viability.
“I tend to believe using this as a pilot program, so to speak, will be successful. I don’t know if we could sustain it in perpetuity based on the amount of officers we have,” Jones said.
