SAPD, BCSO task force cracking down on violent crime - WOAI

by Zack Hedrick, News 4 San Antonio

SAPD, BCSO task force cracking down on violent crime

SAN ANTONIO – Although it's been a busy week for law enforcement investigating violent crimes, a new task force has made them optimistic about the crime rate for the future.

“Some of these things are spontaneous acts of violence, some of these things are related to risky behavior, and some of these things it's too early to speculate on,” said Sgt. Jesse Salame, with the San Antonio Police Department.

Last week police told us there have been 29 homicides so far this year.

That is just one shy of the number of people killed in San Antonio at this time last year.

“Crime is cyclical,” said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. “It runs up and down it's got high points and low points."

This past week it's been running up.

Five more people have been killed in as many days.

“A lot of time it's senseless crime," said Rev. Howard Price Jr.

That's how Reverend Price, who's been a pastor at St. John Baptist Church for 23 years, categorizes the recent killings

“I think some of the challenges that we see with murder rates and senseless crimes in a society is the absence of loving and valuing life," said Price,

While the recent murders might give some a cause for concern, police officers and Bexar County sheriff's deputies are working side-by-side to cut down on violent crimes.

“Chief McManus and I talk almost daily about the results,” said Salazar.

Officers and deputies with the violent crimes task force are looking to arrest drug dealers and anyone else who might engage in illegal activity.

“That lifestyle is what's driving much of the violent crime in Bexar County and in San Antonio," said Salazar.

In the force's short three-month existence, Salazar says he's seen a difference.

“We're having a positive effect on the numbers,” said Salazar. “We're not pulling the plug on this thing anytime soon."

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