As San Antonio prepares for the exciting combination of the Final Four and Fiesta, city officials are actively enhancing safety measures downtown.
Increased Security for Major Events
Residents like Michelle Ramos and Allison Lopez have noticed a heightened law enforcement presence.
“Definitely a lot of (police) cars parked in front of the apartment complexes, entries and exits,” Lopez said, reflecting a feeling of increased security.
John King, a tourist, also acknowledged the visible efforts.
“Some of the homeless may come up looking for money or food, but it’s not a problem,” he said, indicating an overall sense of safety despite occasional interactions.
These sentiments come in response to recent events the city is actively addressing.
According to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the shooting was an isolated incident.
Crime statistics for the first two months of 2024 show a 17.47% decrease in overall offenses downtown. Property crimes decreased significantly with 422 fewer offenses, and crimes against persons also went down with 48 fewer incidents. However, crimes against society—including drug-related offenses and gambling—saw a rise of 71 incidents.
SAPD’s Proactive Approach
The San Antonio Police Department released a statement to KSAT
“We have increased the number of officers based on anticipated attendance and will have our Fusion Center actively monitoring before, during, and after each event to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all law-abiding attendees,” the department said.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office will also be deploying specialized units.
Trish DeBerry, President and CEO of Centro SA, spoke about the ongoing preparations.
“Everybody talks about March Madness, well, the madness has already begun just regarding preps,” she said.
Centro SA has taken additional measures, including adding security advisors with law enforcement expertise to support their ambassador program. The city plans to significantly increase the number of ambassadors and security advisors prior to Final Four.
Technological and Infrastructural Enhancements
Additional safety measures include the installation of 10 AI-enabled cameras along West Commerce Street by April 1st.
These cameras are designed to provide sophisticated security without facial recognition capabilities.
Furthermore, a text alert system will be introduced to promptly inform downtown businesses of potential threats or emergencies.
