New law enforcement portal aids citizen access to key crime data
Hays County residents and visitors can now access crime and arrest data for all of Hays County on one platform hosted called Citizens Connect. The system, by Tyler Technologies, boasts being the first in Texas to have all law enforcement agencies in the same county sharing data on a single Citizens Connect platform.
Through a collaborative effort between Hays County Sheriff’s Office, San Marcos Police Department, Kyle Police Department, Buda Police Department, and Texas State University Police Department, these agencies now have a shared computer database of crime activity that is also accessible to the public. This system provides the agencies with a more powerful analytical tool in their efforts to tackle crime in each jurisdiction.
The shared system also encourages additional collaboration among law enforcement agencies countywide.
Through this unified effort, Hays County and the other agencies involved are excited to expand citizens' access to important data and to provide more transparent service to the communities they serve. Users can subscribe to receive daily, weekly, or monthly updates on pre-populated searches on arrests and incidents. They can also create custom radius searches using a home, school, or business address. There is a 24-hour delay before the incidents post to ensure data integrity.
The heads of several departments shared their support for the project and explained how it benefits their communities.
'The San Marcos Police Department is committed to earning the trust and confidence of the community, which requires transparency and collaboration with all stakeholders,' said San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge. 'By providing our citizens with timely data about incidents and arrests, they can make informed decisions that contribute to community safety. We're thankful to our local law enforcement partners for helping us provide this tool to the community.'
“I am pleased about our involvement in providing this important resource to our residents,” Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd said.
Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said, “We are proud of the system we created, the relationships we have cultivated between our law enforcement entities, and how we can build tools for all citizens to connect all the data points in one central location. We believe this platform is extremely beneficial.”
Sheriff Gary Cutler commends all those responsible for bringing the Citizens Connect system online.
“The ability for local law enforcement agencies to collaborate and bring this service to the public is a testament to our dedication to our communities,” Cutler said. “All this information is now at the fingertips of individuals looking for current crime trends in their area and beyond.”
He added, “This type of data sharing also allows the law enforcement agencies to see what is happening in other jurisdictions and helps with proactive responses to specific crimes.”
To learn more and explore the system, visit the Hays County Citizen Connect portal.
