Crime increases as population continues to grow; Police Department fully staffed
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

With the Lampasas Police Department at full staff, Chief of Police Tim Angermann and Assistant Chief Sammy Bailey say keeping the community safe and serving the public are at the forefront of their operation.

Seventeen certified officers comprise the local force -- 16 officers and a special investigator.

But a continually growing populace makes Lampasas no different than its counterparts across the nation when it comes to the type of crimes found here.

Ms. Bailey and Angermann recently compared the 2007 end-of-year criminal activity report to that of 2006. The numbers show crime up in every facet, except for juvenile arrests.

"There's a lot more traffic coming through town and a lot more residents in the community," said Angermann. "We used to know a lot of the people here in town, but there are lots of new faces and lots of new vehicles," he added.

The police chief said the city is fortunate to have finished last year with no fatal accidents or major felonies. "Some of the communities around us are facing those types of things, and I'm glad we're not."

Angermann said even though his office is fully staffed, he would like two additional officers to help with coverage during times of illness, vacation or other unplanned events.

He also plans to ask the City Council in October to approve a part-time animal enforcement officer to supplement the one on staff. "It would be good to have someone to call at night and on the weekends to free up our officers," Angermann said. "When they have to go on an animal call, that takes them off of the streets, and that's not an ideal situation."

Ms. Bailey agrees additional officers would be helpful. "As the town continues to grow, our numbers grow, and the only way to combat that is to have more police to deter crime."

Angermann reiterated that Lampasas is a safe place to live and raise a family. "But we still have problems like everyone else. We will continue to step up to the plate to keep our community safe for its residents."

Year-end statistics for 2007 show an increase in felonies reported, from 188 at the end of 2006 to 247 last year. The number of cases cleared has increased, proving that officers are on the streets doing their job, Ms. Bailey said.

Misdemeanors (which include shoplifting, assault by contact, gas driveoffs, etc.) increased from 1,005 to 1,407 in 2007.

Adult arrests rose from 705 at 2006's year end to 920 at the culmination of last year.

But juvenile arrests dropped by 17 over the same period.

Traffic citations grew measurably from 2,334 to 2,781 in 2007.

Warnings issued also increased dramatically, from 4,595 to 7,277. "That shows we aren't just out here to write tickets," said Angermann. "We are working to keep everyone safe."

The number of driving-while-intoxicated cases climbed from 54 at the end of 2006 to 68 at the close of 2007. An increase in marijuana and drug possession also grew from 109 to 156 at the end of 2007.

"We are strong on our stance against narcotics," said the police chief. "We do not tolerate drugs at all in our community."

Minor accidents increased from 211 at the end of 2006 to 226 at the close of 2007, while major accidents nearly doubled, from 17 to 31 at year's end.

Animal-control complaints also compounded over the past year, rising from 1,180 at the end of 2006 to 1,263 in 2007.

The Police Department continues to stay involved in its community policing activities, Ms. Bailey noted. "We provide funeral escorts, we unlock vehicle doors and offer house watch."

Angermann said he wants to see that relationship continue. "That's our number-one goal. If the community can't talk to us and we can't talk to them, we're in trouble. But I am glad we have a partnership between the community and the police. We want to keep working with the community. We can't be everywhere, and they are our eyes and ears," he said.

Both officers said they appreciate the support from the city manager, City Council and the public. "As a chief of police, I really have no complaints," Angermann said.

He added that officers will continue to reach out to the community's children. "We want kids to be able to approach us and know we are here to help them," Ms. Bailey said.

"We want members of our community to keep calling us if they see something suspicious, or if they have a question or concern," said the assistant chief. "That's why we're here. We'll take your concerns, compliments and complaints."