Official Website of the City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas

 

PRESS RELEASE – 4-4-06

 

HEADLINE:  Horseshoe Bay Police Department….Moving Forward

 

At its March 21^st meeting, the Horseshoe Bay City Council passed a Comprehensive Development Plan.  In that Plan are nine goals which will serve as guidelines for the City’s governing body.  Topping the list is ensuring the safety of Horseshoe Bay residents.  Our police department has the capability to do just that.  Their outstanding record of the past and their commitment to the future gives all of us a feeling of confidence and a strong sense of security.

Heading up this twelve member team is Police Chief Bill Lane.  A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Chief Lane has over 35 years in law enforcement.  Before coming to Horseshoe Bay he served five years as a New Mexico State Trooper, eight years as Sheriff of Lea County with a 50 man department and fifteen years with the Hobbs Police Department.  For six of those years, he held the position of Chief, managing a department of 110.  But, not only is Chief Lane an experienced law officer he is also a solid business manager.  When you tour the police headquarters, you can readily see that he runs a tight ship.  He spends taxpayer’s money just as if it were his own.  The make-up of our police department is indeed impressive.  The average officer’s age is 40 along with 20 years of experience, a perfect combination for a police officer: maturity and experience.  As a result of our incorporation, the officers now have expanded responsibilities.  This is a natural extension as our community expands.  Just consider the following statistics:

 

                2005                                                        % of increase from 2004

Arrests                                     118                                          +25.5%

Traffic Accidents                        70                                          +32.0%

Citations                                   324                                          +23.2%

Total Dispatches                     3802                                          +  4.3%

 

The numbers reveal that as the City grows, demands increase for better enforcement and preventative methods.  Lane’s efficient staff gives us protection 24/7 with a minimum of 2 officers at all times, with over-lapping shifts on the streets during times of increased activity.  Response time is six minutes….impressive, considering the square miles of our City.  As far as traffic is concerned, Lane believes traffic tickets should be an instrument to protect our citizens, not a revenue generator for the City.  In 2005, 478 warnings were issued and 324 tickets were written, a third more warnings than tickets.  There has been a dramatic reduction in deer road kills from 400 annually to 200 the first year the speed limit was reduced.  The police force continues to strive to keep accidents at a minimum.

            The City encourages all our citizens to support our local police force as they strive to keep us all safe.

The Council continues to encourage your input.  Contact us by phone, by mail, in person or log on to our website at www.horseshoe-bay-tx.gov.    

 

Respectfully submitted

                                                                        Buddy Schrader

                                                                        Public Information Officer

 

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