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Enhanced tools, staffing boost increase offense detection
The Elgin Police Department has been attempting to match public safety needs in a rising population through added tools and patrol officers, increasing crime detection and enforcement activity across the city.
The recent installation of Flock Safety cameras and a staffing boost have contributed to significant advancements in monitoring, crime prevention and public safety awareness, according to Chief of Police Chris Noble.
Impact of increased staffing
An increase in officer staffing has allowed the Elgin Police Department to enhance its efforts on the streets, although the increased visibility has led to a rise in reported crime.
“I think the common misconception is that you add more officers, and your crime rate goes down,” Noble said. “It actually goes up because you have more eyes out and about looking. That being said, it does make the city safer nevertheless.”
Data over the past three years reflect these changes.
In 2022, when the push for added boots on the ground began, Elgin made 349 arrests, including 72 felonies and 277 misdemeanors, with 111 warrant clearances, records show.
Following the staffing boost in 2023, arrests rose to 560 — and numbers this year have maintained that increased performance, as felonies and misdemeanor arrests have nearly doubled.
Traffic stops have also seen a considerable uptick, according to the chief.
In 2022, officers conducted just over 2,600 stops, half of which were warnings. By 2023, stops increased to 5,151, with 62% resulting in warnings.
So far in 2024, traffic stops have exceeded 6,000, with a similar majority yielding warnings rather than citations.
“We rely on education more than enforcement to gain voluntary compliance on our traffic stops,” Noble added. “It’s not about generating money, it’s about generating compliance and making safer streets.”
In addition, the staffing boost has enabled the department to act more promptly on warrants, allowing officers to dedicate time to clearing outstanding cases without pulling resources from street patrols.
Flock Safety cameras In September, the department fully integrated 13 Flock Safety cameras, strategically located throughout Elgin, excluding Texas Department of Transportation roadways.
Initially launched in a 90day pilot program in May, the cameras have since scanned over 491,000 unique vehicles, identifying 16,284 with alerts linked to their license plates. According to Chief Noble, these alerts help track vehicles involved in specific cases, such as registered sex offenders or subjects of protective orders, allowing the department to monitor movements if needed.
“These are not surveillance cameras, they’re police tools,” Noble said, emphasizing that the system is designed solely to assist in law enforcement. “There’s a term we use, homicide interrupted, when we are able to come in contact with somebody who may be stalking a partner or family member and hopefully prevent something very bad from happening.”
The cameras do not enforce traffic laws or use facial recognition and capture only the rear of vehicles, following state guidelines. In addition, Flock systems are integrated with the National Crime Information Center, supporting cooperation with other agencies in the region.
Elgin officers also receive real-time alerts for flagged vehicles, enabling the department to aid regional investigations. Recently, an alert from a neighboring county led to the detection of a shooting suspect’s vehicle, allowing Elgin to collaborate with Bastrop and Travis counties if the vehicle entered city limits, Noble said.
According to the chief, Flock cameras have so far contributed to 30 successful outcomes, including arrests, leads, warrants or stops directly related to hits from the system. Among these cases, 10 stolen vehicles were recovered.
The service agreement, approved by the City Council, includes a two-year contract at $39,000 annually, with an additional $8,450 installation fee. The system retains data for 30 days and maintains a footprint to track officer access, ensuring transparency.
“Ultimately, it takes the human bias out of it,” Noble added.
According to Noble, the expansion of technology and manpower underscores Elgin Police Department’s commitment to community safety, creating a more secure environment for residents through preventive measures and real-time response capabilities.
“It’s not about generating money, it’s about generating compliance and making safer streets.”
— Chief of Police Chris Noble
