SAFETY

 

HOW PEARLAND RATES

Pearland consistently rates as one of the safest cities in Texas.  A recent study by the Safewise.com listed Pearland as one of the top 50 safest Texas Cities in 2015 noting its low crime rate for both violent crime (1.54 crimes per 1,000 residents) and property crime (19.53 crimes per 1,000 residents).  Another study performed by Nerdwallet.com determined Pearland as the 6th best place to live in Texas noting its low crime rate as a key factor to that rating.

 

MY THOUGHTS

Though Pearland is a relatively safe city however any crime is too much.  City Council needs to continue to work with Pearland Police senior staff and the Pearland Police Officers Association to identify new ways to keep our citizens safe.  Pearland currently has 152 sworn police personal with 8 more that were recently authorized to be added to the force.  That is roughly 1 police officer for every 700 residents.  A newly commissioned study by an independent agency has been tasked to review Pearland police staffing levels and help Pearland estimate how many police will be needed to keep up with our growth.  I believe that Pearland City Council needs to be proactive with Police staffing to ensure our city continues to remain a safe place to live and to reduce our crime rate maintain our rating as one of the safest cities in America.

 

I also think we need to expand low cost programs like the Police Vehicle Take Home program for all senior police officers that live in the Pearland area.  Having Police vehicles parked in our neighborhoods is a definite deterrent to crime.