San Antonio, Texas, is a vibrant city with a rich culture and history. However, home security systems in San Antonio are a must, as it has one of the highest crime rates when compared to other municipalities of comparable size, this includes both violent crime and property crime. With a total crime index (TCI) of one – with 100 being the safest – 99% of U.S. cities are safer, according to the latest Neighborhood Scout data, which culls information from multiple government sources.
Violent Crime in San Antonio
As of September 2022, violent crime in the city increased by nearly 50% over a two-year period, prompting the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) to forge a 2022-2025 plan to markedly reduce the number of incidents.
The FBI defines violent crime as being one of four offenses — murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The chance of becoming the victim of some form of violent crime in San Antonio is one in 113. Of the 87,761 crimes tallied in San Antonio over the most recent 12-month period, 13,013 were violent.
By contrast, another Texas city, Dallas, has 1.3 million residents and a TCI of three. If you’re there, there’s a one in 130 chance you’ll experience violent crime. Of 59,860 crimes in total, 10,015 were classified as such. Then there’s Philadelphia, with more than 1.5 million residents and a total crime index of two. The chances of becoming a violent-crime victim there are one in 96. Some 16,290 of the 84,121 crimes reported over 12 months in Philly were violent.
But in San Diego, a California city with nearly 1.4 million residents and a TCI of 17, only 6,034 of its 32,229 crimes were violent. There, you have a one in 229 chance of falling victim. In Phoenix, an Arizona city with more than 1.6 million residents and a TCI of 6, your chances of being subjected to violent crime are one in 122. Jacksonville, Florida, with nearly one million residents, is another city close in size to San Antonio. It, too, has a TCI of one and a relatively high chance of being victimized by violent crime. Some 12,071 of Jacksonville’s 62,153 crimes were classified as violent.
Property Crime in San Antonio
Then there’s property crime, which is defined by the FBI as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In San Antonio, your chance of experiencing a property crime is one in 20 — for a rate of 50.75 per 1,000 residents. There were 74,748 such crimes in San Antonio for the most recent 12-month period, 9,389 of which were burglaries. Compare that with Dallas, where you have a one in 26 chance of being victimized, for a rate of 38.36 per 1,000 residents. That city logged 49,845 property crimes over 12 months — 6,823 of them burglaries.
As for Philadelphia’s property crime picture, you have a one in 23 chance of being victimized. Of 67,831 property crimes in The City of Brotherly Love, 6,536 were burglaries. San Diego also fares better than San Antonio on the property crime front. Those residing in the coastal city have a one in 53 chance of being victimized by property crime. Of 26,195 property crimes in San Diego, 3,406 were burglaries.
In Phoenix, meanwhile, there’s a one in 34 chance of experiencing a property crime. That’s a rate of 29.13 for every 1,000 residents. Of the city’s 47,904 property crimes, 6,285 were burglaries. While you have a much less chance of falling victim to violent crime in Jacksonville than you do in San Antonio, the Florida city has a larger property crime problem: there’s a one in 19 chance you’ll experience it there, for a rate of 51.56 per 1,000 residents.
San Antonio’s Police Department
To help keep residents safe from these staggering crime statistics, San Antonio has around 2,500 police officers patrolling 504 square miles, with the Patrol Division divided into two areas: Patrol North oversees the city’s North, Northwest/Prue, and East service areas. Patrol South covers the Central, West, South, and North St. Mary’s service areas. The department’s headquarters is in the South Santa Rosa district.
The SAPD also has seven “substations” throughout the city: Central, East, North, North St. Mary’s, Prue/Northwest, South, and West. Each substation serves as a base for patrol officers and property crime and response investigators. Further, every substation has a San Antonio Fear Free Environment (SAFFE) unit, with officers assigned to specific streets or neighborhoods. SAFFE officers aim to work with residents, businesses, community leaders, and patrol officers to prevent crimes.
How to Stay Safe
Monitored home security systems can help play a crucial role in preventing crime by working closely with local police like those in the San Antonio area. These systems work in tandem with law enforcement and first responders to lessen the chance of being the victim of a crime or emergency.
With a monitored security system, when an alarm is triggered, the security company’s monitoring center immediately assesses the situation and notifies law enforcement if necessary. By providing real-time information, such as the nature of the alarm and whether it’s a break-in or fire, first responders can respond more quickly and efficiently. The partnership between first responders and a monitored home security company helps enhance public safety and reduce response times.
In Summary
Compared to other cities with similar populations, incidences of violent crime and property crime are greater in San Antonio. Meanwhile, in the U.S. as a whole, a residential break-in occurs every 26 seconds. Further, homes with no security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized wherever they are. Some 83% of would-be burglars search for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in. That’s why monitored home security systems from Guardian Protection offer around-the-clock monitoring to give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered by professionals who work closely with first responders, every hour of the day.
