(SUGAR LAND) - The Sugar Land Police Department is reporting a more than 50 percent decrease in burglaries this year following their Mid-Year Performance Report.
Property crimes have been a focus of SLPD’s new police chief after February’s police annual report showed an increase in the city’s crime rate, the first in several years.
Police Chief Mark Poland came to Sugar Land in November after a 26-year law enforcement career, most recently as undersheriff for Virginia’s largest full-service sheriff’s department.
In November, he said: “I am a hard-working leader who demands professionalism from law enforcement individuals. I also believe as a law enforcement official, leaders within our profession must continue to expand our knowledge and grow as professionals to keep ahead of ever-changing trends in crime.”
Since his arrival, SLPD has launched a Crisis Intervention Team to facilitate positive outcomes for mental health calls and joined several Federal task forces, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Gun Strike Robbery and Investigative Squads and the FBI Safe Streets unit that focuses on violent crimes. The department has also expanded active-shooter and hostile threat training and fully activated its K9 program.
There have been a number of milestones in the past six months compared to the same six-month period during the previous year:
There has been an 8 percent increase in arrests for driving while intoxicated.
Traffic stops have increased by 93 percent.
SLPD achieved a 200 percent increase in weapons arrests.
Narcotics arrest have increased 142 percent.
Burglaries have decreased 54 percent.
Vehicle burglaries have decreased 40 percent.
“We’re pushing and setting a culture of ‘Family,’ ‘Professionalism,’ ‘Leadership,’ ‘Accountability,’ ‘Growth’ and ‘Communication,’” said Poland. “These are the values our team has identified as our six pillars toward success. I couldn’t be more proud of the work our men and woman have done to keep our city safe. They are the best in the business. However, we fully intend to keep our foot on the pedal and build on our success.”
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