San Antonio Public Safety Committee Meeting - January 20, 2026

The San Antonio Public Safety Committee met on January 20, 2026, to discuss crime statistics, a proposed diversion center for mental health and substance use, and the SA Core crisis response program. The committee approved the consent calendar and voted to fund a feasibility study for a diversion center, referring the matter to the full City Council.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
• Citizen Advisory Committee Appointments: The committee approved appointments to fill vacancies on various citizen advisory committees. The appointments were originally presented in November, approved by the council in January, and now forwarded to the full council for final approval in February. The vote was taken twice; the first attempt was recalled because Councilor Spears had not yet taken her seat. On the revote, there was one abstention, and the motion passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Jorge (President, Harm Reduction Coalition) expressed strong support for the proposed diversion center, emphasizing that the focus should be on well-being rather than incarceration. She urged that the program include voluntary options and that individuals have the right to choose treatment over jail. She also stressed the need for post-treatment support, such as housing and counselors, to prevent people from returning to the streets.
• Jorge Esteves (Local organizer, living with HIV and in recovery from substance use) spoke in support of a compassionate, voluntary approach to mental health and addiction treatment. He cautioned against coercive models ("treatment or jail") which he said are less effective than voluntary care and can increase overdose risks. He advocated for harm reduction services, medication-assisted treatment, and peer support, and urged the committee to work with agencies like Corazon and the Harm Reduction Coalition.

Discussion Items

• Crime Statistics (January–December 2025 Update): Maria Vargas (Office of Integrated Community Safety) presented an update showing that overall crime in San Antonio decreased by 12.5% compared to 2024, including a 7.7% drop in violent crime. Motor vehicle theft dropped 17% , attributed to public education campaigns, anti-theft devices (especially by Kia and Hyundai), and targeted police enforcement. Drug and narcotic offenses increased by 21.9% ; a council member requested a geographic map of the increases to guide enforcement. The committee discussed the use of Flock license plate recognition cameras; the police chief confirmed they help identify stolen vehicles but noted pursuit policy only allows for violent crimes. The committee agreed to schedule a future discussion specifically on drug and narcotic trends.
• Council Consideration Request (CCR) – Diversion and Recovery Center: Councilor Castillo introduced a CCR for a mental health diversion center. Staff from the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) and the Office of Integrated Community Safety presented the proposal. The center would provide an alternative to incarceration for individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or intellectual/developmental disabilities. Two models were described: a diversion center (short-term stabilization, up to 14 days) and a recovery center (long-term care, housing, and support). The presentation referenced the Harris County model, which reported saving $5.54 for every $1 spent and diverting 8,835 individuals from jail between 2018 and 2023. Bevar County currently sees an average of 550 inmates monthly with mental health needs, and many are housed in other counties due to overcrowding. The committee recommended funding a feasibility study at a cost of $30,000 from the police department, with an additional $70,000–$90,000 from other sources (total $100,000–$120,000). The study will examine location, required capacity, patient flow, and post-discharge services. Councilor Castillo noted the need for robust aftercare, including case management and housing, and suggested forming an ad hoc committee. Several council members expressed support, emphasizing that the center would improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and lower costs compared to incarceration (jail costs $1,750 per day vs. $550 per day for treatment).
• SA Core (San Antonio Crisis Outreach Response) Program: Officer Justin Higgins and Chief of Mental Health Operations presented an update on the SA Core co-responder model, which teams a mental health officer, a paramedic, and a clinician. In 2025, the program received 28,800 mental health-related 911 calls. Of these, 53% were handled by patrol, 34% by SA Core or the mental health unit, and 12% were canceled or duplicated. SA Core has expanded from a 6-month pilot in 2022 (832 responses) to three 24/7 teams in 2025 (over 5,000 responses). Nearly all contacts resulted in linkage to clinical care: 2,757 individuals received follow-up services (24 hours to 90 days later), and 104 received intensive case management or psychiatric care. The committee also discussed a potential mental health triage option at 911 dispatch, using technology to route lower-acuity calls to specialized clinicians, reducing the burden on officers. Councilor Spears requested data on repeat calls and cost projections for further expansion. The committee also addressed mental health resources for older adults, noting that loneliness and isolation are treatable and that Medicare offers access to care.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: The consent calendar (minutes and advisory committee appointments) was approved after a revote, with one abstention.
• Approved (Motion): The committee approved the recommendation to fund a feasibility study for a mental health diversion center, allocating $30,000 from the police department budget. The study will be conducted by the Center for Health Care Services. The committee also agreed to present the CCR in a Session B (full City Council meeting) in February 2026 and to create an ad hoc committee to coordinate with stakeholders, including University Health, the district attorney's office, and community providers.
• Next Steps: The SA Core program will provide additional data on repeat calls, geographic distribution, and cost estimates for expanding the team or implementing a mental health dispatch option. The committee will also receive a geographic breakdown of drug-related offenses. A future meeting will focus specifically on drug and narcotic trends.