Amarillo tackles crime decline, deadly traffic trend in city council talks
Amarillo city officials say crime is dropping, but fatal traffic crashes are rising, prompting renewed discussions on public safety, law enforcement strategies, and infrastructure improvements at Tuesday's city council meeting.
With crime rates down 12.5% and vehicle thefts plummeting nearly 22%, police credit new technology and targeted patrols for the decline. However, a 20% jump in fatal crashes has raised concerns about speeding, distracted driving, and intersection safety — issues city planners are working to address through new initiatives like the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) plan.
Interim Police Chief Jimmy Johnson, Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper, and Planning Director Emily Koller provided updates on crime trends, traffic fatalities, and roadway safety projects, while Mayor Cole Stanley addressed growing concerns from residents about the city's traffic light system and federal grant funding.
Johnson presented the Amarillo Police Department's 2024 Crime Report, highlighting an overall 12.5% decrease in crime compared to the previous year. Violent crime — including homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault — fell by 5.3%, while property crime, including burglary, theft, and stolen vehicles, dropped by 14.2%.
Key findings:
Homicides: Down 6.3%, with 15 reported compared to 16 last year.
Robberies: Declined 14.7%, from 204 to 174.
Theft: Decreased 12.5%, with 577 fewer reported incidents.
Stolen vehicles: Saw the largest percentage decrease at 21.9%.
Arson: The only category to increase, rising 32.6%, from 43 to 57 cases.
Johnson credited enhanced policing strategies, community engagement, and new technology for the improvements.
'We're using advanced technology to dissect every category of crime — from violent offenses to property theft,' Johnson explained. 'The data clearly shows that we've been trending down for 25 years. Upgrading our technology, such as the license plate readers that helped us recover 164 stolen vehicles last year, has been a game-changer for us.'
Johnson further emphasized the department's multi-pronged crime reduction strategy.
'We analyze the 'crime triangle' — offender, victim, and location — 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 work to prevent it before it occurs. Whether it's adjusting patrol routes or intensifying community outreach, our aim is to stay one step ahead.'
Mayor Stanley acknowledged the positive trend but emphasized that violent crime remains a key concern.
'Crime is down 12.5%, and that's with a current trend of reduction continuing into 2024,' Stanley said. 'That's encouraging, but we also saw an increase in crime in 2022 and 2023, so it's good to see things moving in the right direction again. The area we're all paying attention to is violent crime, because that's typically related to gang activity and criminal elements, rather than random acts of violence.'
Stanley also spoke about public perception of crime, particularly in the age of social media. 'We know Amarillo is a safe community, but sometimes the perception is different,' he said. 'The best way to counter that perception is by building strong community relationships. The more you know your neighbors, the safer you feel.'
He added that a greater police presence would be beneficial.
'I'd like to see more uniformed officers in black and whites, more police on patrol,' Stanley said. 'That's always good and helpful in creating a safer environment.'
Hooper provided an update on traffic accident data and intersection safety measures, citing a 20% increase in fatal crashes citywide in 2024 compared to last year.
Nine fatal crashes at controlled intersections resulted in 12 deaths, with key contributing factors including speeding, disregarding traffic signals, and impaired driving.
Speeding was the leading factor, contributing to six of the nine fatal crashes at controlled intersections.
Disregarding traffic signals accounted for three fatal crashes.
Alcohol impairment was a factor in two crashes, while controlled substances played a role in one.
Distracted driving was a noted cause in one fatal crash.
'Our annual reviews and ongoing traffic studies help us adjust intersection timings and speed limits,' Hooper said. 'For instance, while most residential streets remain at 30 mph, intersections near major highways are under close evaluation in collaboration with TxDOT.'
Hooper also highlighted proactive measures aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities.
'A big part of our job is looking at problem areas before they become tragedies,' he said. 'We don't just react to crashes — we study trends, examine roadway conditions, and look at driver behavior to find ways to make our streets safer. Sometimes that means changing signal timing, sometimes it means additional signage, and sometimes it's about educating the public on traffic laws.'
Koller presented the final details of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) plan, a 16-project initiative aimed at enhancing roadway safety through data-driven planning and federally backed improvements.
'Our goal is to create safer environments for everyone — from school zones to major thoroughfares,' Koller said. 'With projects like the safer speed installations near schools, we're not just reacting to incidents; we're proactively planning for a safer 2026 and beyond.'
Koller also addressed concerns raised by a citizen regarding whether the city manipulates data to secure federal grants.
'The idea that the city would be manipulating something is just — wholly unethical,' she said. 'I would be turned in, the consultants would be turned in — there's just no way. There are national standards for managing traffic laws and transportation infrastructure, especially when it comes to signage and signals. Every community meets that baseline standard, so our process is straightforward and entirely above board.'
City officials stressed that the integration of these data-driven approaches — from Koller's comprehensive SS4A plan and Hooper's traffic safety measures to Johnson's crime prevention strategies and Mayor Stanley's focus on citizen engagement — reflects a coordinated effort to maintain Amarillo as a safe and thriving community.
Interim Chief Johnson reaffirmed the department's commitment to proactive policing and long-term safety improvements.
'We're not just reacting to crime and traffic concerns — we're taking steps to get ahead of them,' Johnson said. 'By leveraging technology, refining our strategies, and working closely with the community, we can make Amarillo not just safer today, but safer for the generations that follow.'
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo City Council discusses crime decline, deadly traffic trend
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