Corpus Christi Police Department Presents Crime Rate Update to Council

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – At today’s regularly scheduled city council meeting, Officials from the Corpus Christi Police Department updated the Mayor and Council on crime trends impacting the five City Council Districts and the numerous strategies and initiatives the Department is implementing to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime, and enhance public safety.

The presentation consisted of a breakdown of violent and property crime rates within each Council District over the past five years, a comparison of citywide crime rates to 18 US cities of similar population, and crime data regarding the local homeless population.  Department officials also briefed the Council and Mayor on various crime prevention and reduction programs, provided an overview of recent drug crime, and presented a general overview of the Gang Unit and gang-related crimes. 

Today’s presentation followed an April 8 City Council presentation that focused primarily on family violence and violent gun crime. 

The data presented today showed that both the violent crime rate (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) and property crime rate (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) had decreased in four out of the five council districts over the past five years. 

Police officials touted the strong relationships they have built with their federal, state, and local partners as one of the factors in keeping crime rates down.  The local impact of those strong relationships was demonstrated in 2023 when the Narcotics & Vice Investigations Division teamed up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to take down a multi-million-dollar fentanyl distribution ring, responsible for the overdose deaths of over ten of our citizens. 

Police officials outlined numerous specialized units and initiatives within the department that are focused on reducing crime. Additional officers added to the Department by the City Council in recent years have allowed the department to strengthen these units and create new ones, such as the Violent Crime Unit (VCU). Created in November of last year, the 13-officer VCU utilizes intelligence gathered from multiple sources to target violent offenders and conduct high-visibility patrols at high-crime locations. 

The VCU has been extremely successful in arresting violent offenders, seizing firearms, and removing dangerous, reckless drivers from our city’s streets.

“We appreciate the Corpus Christi Police Department for their continued transparency and dedication to keeping our community informed,” said Mayor Paulette Guajardo. “The crime rate update presented to City Council reflects both the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead. Public safety remains my top priority, and we will continue supporting data-driven strategies and investments that keep our residents safe and our neighborhoods strong.”

“We look forward to engaging in conversations about crime and public safety in our city, while also recognizing the dedication and daily contributions of the men and women of our Police Department. “Chief Mike Markle said.

For more information, media representatives can contact the Corpus Christi Police Department Public Information Office at pdpio@cctexas.com.