Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar implored county commissioners on Tuesday to restore a crime stats analyst position within his department after a jump in violent crime this year.
Salazar explained that attempts to fill the position were frozen, and then a person within the county's internet technology department took up the role for a while before being deployed by the military.
Salazar told commissioners he wants the position back within his department to better determine when and where there may be high levels of repeated criminal activity.
"We really need our own in-house ... crime analysis person to be able to tell us what parts of the county are red, heat wise, depending on what day of the week it is and what other factors there are," the sheriff said.
Salazar said that analysis helps them combat crime in troubled areas. A majority of county commissioners appeared prepared to work with the sheriff to restore the position.
Salazar said year-end crime reports, like one provided by the FBI, may be "instantaneous" enough for what is needed to battle real-time crime trends.
The homicide rate in the county this year has already surpassed all of 2023 with two more months to go in this year. Around half the homicides in the county this year, or nine deaths, were related to domestic violence.
More than half-a-million people live in unincorporated areas of Bexar County, according to county officials.
Far West Bexar County continues to see a population explosion and new homes rise between Loop 1604 and the Medina County line.
County commissioners did vote in the last budget cycle to add 41 personnel to the sheriff's office, including patrol deputies.