City officials are divided on how best to make San Antonio safer: add dozens more police officers in the next budget cycle, or invest in other strategies to reduce demand on patrol.

The debate stems from a five-year plan , introduced in April 2023, to shift the San Antonio Police Department toward spending 60% of its time on proactive patrols and 40% responding to calls.

In the plan, the city set a goal of adding 360 patrol officers by 2029. So far, 165 have been hired.

The proposed 2026 budget sets aside $1.4 million to fund 25 new patrol officers. But some council members say that number falls short, pushing instead for 65 officers.

According to figures presented by Police Chief William McManus and City Manager Erik Walsh at a budget town hall on Tuesday, adding more officers would

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