It's fact, google it. Here, I'll provide you one link to WOAI story from a few weeks ago:

 

http://www.woai.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=beba0746-f516-4c99-9649-4eb44cbd9a4c

 

San Antonio Police Will Stop Responding to Non-Violent Crimes

  

SAN ANTONIO - Police here are unveiling a new program they say will help keep you safer. But some people in San Antonio think it is a bad idea.

The police department says it needs more officers, but until that happens things need to change. So now, if you are involved in a non-violent crime, chances are you won't see police to file your complaint.

"I think response time is bad. I think the police are understaffed, that we need more officers," said Mike Cappelli, who wants better response times.

The police agree; something needs to be done. So they have come up with the Strategic Management for Accelerated Response Times, or S.M.A.R.T., Initiative. Now people will file certain reports on the Internet, and then get a case number by e-mail.

"It sounds good. If you are fortunate enough to have it. But unfortunately in this town, there's a lot of families that don't have access to the Internet," said Diana Cappelli, who don't think the plan will be effective.

Police say they won't respond to non-violent crimes like car burglaries, graffiti, beer runs, and theft. They say this will free up officers to respond to emergency calls, and that would improve response time.

People we spoke with are worried about the lack of personal attention.

"I don't want to waste time on the computer. I want to speak to a live person," said Kevin George, who is worried about the S.M.A.R.T. initiative.

"Police officers... need to pay attention to all the calls that happen," said Louis Gallardo, who doesn't like the new idea.

Also part of the S.M.A.R.T. Initiative, officers will no longer write reports for certain minor traffic accidents. Click here to see the new online report filing system.

Police Chief Bill McManus is expected to address media questions about the plan on Monday.

 

 

From now on, your supposed to go online and report crimes yourself for these crimes...

 

PROPERTY CRIMES:

PLEASE SELECT THE "PROPERTY CRIMES" REPORT FORM FOR ANY OF THE CRIMES

DESCRIBED BELOW.

 

 

• THEFT: Did someone (Unknown - No suspect information) take something from you without

your permission, such as your camera, bicycle, lawn furniture, or other possessions? Is the

VALUE of the Stolen Item $500 or LESS?

NOTE:

If you know who they are, or if they threatened you, used force or had a weapon when

they took your possession(s), then please call SAPD at 207-7273. If the Value of the Property

stolen was MORE than $500, please call 207-7273. If they entered your residence or garage to

take the property, call 207-7273 and report a Burglary.

If there was no threat or force, then please use the PROPERTY CRIMES Report and select

THEFT

as your crime.

• THEFT OF GAS, BEER OR CIGARETTES: Did someone (Unknown - No suspect

information) do a "gas run" or "beer run" or "cigarette run" at your gas station or convenience

store? Was the value of stolen property $500 or LESS? Then please select THEFT-GAS,as your crime.

BEER, CIGARETTES

• THEFT OF SERVICE: Did someone (Unknown - No suspect information) request and obtain

service from you, but refuse to pay? Was the Value of the Service $500 or LESS? Then please

select THEFT OF SERVICE as your crime.

• BURGLARY COIN-OP: Did someone (Unknown - No suspect information) break into your

COIN-OPERATED MACHINE and take your money? Then please select BURGLARY COINOP

 

as your crime.

• BURGLARY VEHICLE: Did someone (Unknown - No suspect information) break into your

VEHICLE and take your possessions? (Please call 207-7273 if a Firearm was stolen.) Then

please select BURGLARY VEHICLE as your crime.

• CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: Did someone (Unknown - No suspect information) DAMAGE or

BREAK your property (house, fence, car, etc.)? Was the Value of the damage $500 or LESS?

Then please use CRIMINAL MISCHIEF as your crime.

(Please call 207-7273 if the Damage was to a Church, Cemetery, School or Utility, such as a

SAWS or CPS facility).

• GRAFFITI: Did someone (Unknown - No suspect information) put GRAFFITI your property

(house, fence, car, etc.)? Was the Value of the damage $500 or LESS? Then please use

GRAFFITI

as your crime.

(Please call 207-7273 if the Graffiti was on a Church, Cemetery or School).

San Antonio Police Department

GUIDELINES FOR SELF-REPORTING

POLICE REPORTS

• LOST PROPERTY: Did you lose your property (purse, laptop, cell phone, CD

Player, ID Card, etc.), but have no reason to believe it was stolen? Please use the

INFORMATION Report and select LOST PROPERTY as your title.

If the Lost Property was a FIREARM, please do not use this Form - Please call

SAPD at 207-7273.

And yet, every time I've called the police they manage to send someone to the house to respond to the call....Every single time... I guess the smart plan is turning out to be an alternative, and not something that is set in stone, or else it's meant to take the burden off 911 calls. I did use the non-emergency number when calling, but I'm sure if life and limb were on the line the police would respond in kind.

Still, the gate doesn't prevent any of the crimes listed, and it won't stop a criminal from targeting any individual home. At least with the gate down people will know that tickets can be issued, and that could serve as a deterent thereby reducing the risk to the kids playing outside.

I do appreciate you going all out on this one, but I still come down on the side of the kids. Their safety is more important than a gate.

I would still encourage people to call the police if they need to. They are there to protect and serve after all.

Jeez, how many times have you called the cops in the last month??

 

I have not called them in 5 years!!!!!!!

Maybe your one of the ones that caused them to stop responding to minor calls!!!

 

Also, I have three kids, we teach our kids not to play in the streets!!

 

Anyway, I'm done talking to you about it. If your so unhappy and in fear that your kids are going to get killed by a speeder you might consider moving.

 

The gate is not going anywhere and I am done talking about this with you. Maybe you could call 311 and speak with them some about something.