Amarillo officials say crime is declining, but fatal car accidents are on the rise, prompting new debate on public safety, law enforcement strategies and infrastructure improvements at city council meeting on Tuesday.
Crime rates fell by 12.5%, vehicle theft plunged by nearly 22%, and police reduced new technology and targeted patrols. However, 20% of the jumps in fatal crashes have caused concerns about speeding, distracted driving and cross-safety. The issue is addressed by urban planners through new initiatives such as Safe Street and All (SS4A) Planning.
Interim Police Chief Jimmy Johnson, assistant city manager Donny Hooper, and planning director Emily Coller provide updates on crime trends, traffic asylum and road safety projects, while Mayor Cole Stanley addressed growing concerns from residents about the city’s signal systems and federal grant funding.
Crime Reports: Reduced Trends, Target Strategy
Johnson presented the Amarillo Police Department’s 2024 crime report, highlighting a total decline in crime by 12.5% compared to the previous year. Violent crimes including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault fell by 5.3%, while property crimes including robbery, theft and stolen vehicles fell by 14.2%.
Important findings:
Murder: 6.3% decline, 15 reported compared to 16 last year. Robbery: A 14.7% decrease from 204 to 174 years old. Theft: A 12.5% decrease, with 577 fewer cases reported. Stolen vehicles: 21.9%, the largest percentage fell. Arson: The only category to increase, 32.6% rose from 43 to 57 cases.
Johnson praised the enhanced policing strategies for improvement, community engagement and new technologies.
“We use advanced technology to analyze crimes in all categories, from violent crime to property theft,” Johnson explained. “The data clearly shows us that we’ve been running for 25 years. Upgrading technologies such as license plate readers that help us retrieve 164 stolen vehicles last year was a game changer for us.”
Johnson further highlighted the multi-faceted crime reduction strategy in the sector.
“We analyse the ‘crime triangles’ (crime triangles’) for offenders, victims, and locations to understand the dynamics behind each incident,” he said. “This holistic approach allows us to implement targeted measures that not only respond to crime, but also work to prevent it before it occurs. Whether we coordinate patrol routes or enhance community outreach, our aim is to stay one step ahead.”
Mayor Stanley acknowledged the positive trend, but emphasized that violent crime remains an important concern.
“Crime has fallen by 12.5%, and that’s the current trend of reductions continues until 2024,” Stanley said. “It’s encouraging, but we also saw an increase in crime in 2022 and 2023, so it’s good to see things move in the right direction again. The area we’re all paying attention to is violent crime because it’s usually related to gang activity and criminal elements, so it’s related to criminal elements, not random acts of violence.”
Stanley also spoke about the public’s perception of crime, particularly in the age of social media. “I know Amarillo is a safe community, but sometimes we perceive it differently,” he said. “The best way to counter that perception is to build strong community relationships. The more you know your neighbor, the more you feel safer you will feel.”
He added that the presence of a larger police force is beneficial.
“I want to see black people and white people, more police, more police patrol,” Stanley said. “It always helps with good things to create a safer environment.”
Traffic safety and fatal increase
Hooper provided updates on road accident data and intersection safety measures, citing a 20% increase in city-wide fatal crashes in 2024 compared to last year.
Nine fatal collisions at a controlled intersection resulted in 12 deaths, and key factors such as speeding, neglecting traffic signals and driving impaired.
Speeding was a major factor, contributing six of nine fatal crashes at controlled intersections. Ignoring the traffic lights explained three fatal crashes. Alcohol disorders were the factors behind two crashes, while controlled substances played a role in one. Distracted driving was a famous cause of one fatal crash.
“Our annual review and ongoing traffic surveys will help us adjust timing and speed limits at intersections,” Hooper said. “For example, most residential areas stay at 30 mph, but intersections near major highways are being closely assessed in collaboration with TXDOT.”
Hooper also highlighted aggressive measures aimed at reducing traffic-related deaths.
“A large part of our job is to look at the area of problem before they become tragedy,” he said. “We don’t just respond to crashes. We study trends, look at road conditions, look at driver behavior, find ways to make the streets safer. It can also mean changing the timing of traffic lights, and it can also mean additional signs and educate the public with traffic laws.”
Safe roads and roads for all (SS4A) plans
Koller presented the final details of Safe Street and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning, a 16-project initiative aimed at increasing road safety through data-driven planning and federally supported improvements.
“Our goal is to create a safe environment for everyone, from the school zone to the main highway,” says Koller. “In projects like the safer speed installation near the school, we are not simply responding to the incident. We are planning on 2026 and beyond for a safer period.”
Koller also addressed concerns raised by citizens regarding whether the city would manipulate data to secure federal grants.
“The idea that a city operates something is totally unethical,” she said. “I’ll be submitted, consultants will be submitted. There’s no way. There’s a national standard for managing traffic laws and transportation infrastructure, especially when it comes to signs and signals. All communities meet that baseline standard, so our process is simple and completely beyond the board.”
City’s commitment to safety moving forward
City officials emphasized that the integration of these data-driven approaches, from Koller’s comprehensive SS4A plan and Hooper’s road safety measures to Johnson’s crime prevention strategy and Mayor Stanley’s citizen involvement, reflects coordinated efforts to maintain Amarillo as a safe and thriving community.
Interim Chief Johnson reaffirmed the department’s commitment to aggressive policing and long-term safety improvements.
“We are not just responding to crime and traffic concerns. We are taking steps to move forward with them,” Johnson said. “By leveraging technology, improving our strategy and working closely with our community, we can create amarillo that is safer not only for today but for generations below.”
