In a bid to enhance public safety, San Antonio city officials are urging the State Legislature to classify car burglaries as felonies rather than misdemeanors. This proposed change would also affect first-time offenders, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to consider two significant bills aimed at combating this issue.

The Rationale Behind Increased Penalties

City representatives believe that tougher penalties will deter individuals from attempting vehicle break-ins, thereby increasing safety in neighborhoods. However, some advocates and criminal justice experts argue that merely heightening penalties may not lead to a decline in car burglary incidents.

Compounding the issue, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has identified a troubling correlation between vehicle burglaries in San Antonio and illicit weapon trafficking, with over 200 stolen firearms recovered in a single enforcement action last August.

Current Statistics on Car Burglaries

According to research from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio ranks fifth in the U.S. for firearm thefts from vehicles. However, recent local law enforcement statistics indicate a decline in car burglaries; in 2024, reports of vehicle-related theft dropped by 10% compared to 2023, with 12,668 incidents reported, down from 19,409.

The latest crime statistics from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) suggest a greater than 7% reduction in theft offenses, including motor vehicle thefts.

Details of Proposed Legislation

House Bill 727

During a Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence hearing on March 11, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar voiced strong support for House Bill 727, proposed by State Representative Phillip Cortez. This bill aims to elevate car burglary to a felony under certain conditions, such as possession of a firearm during the crime, stealing a weapon, or using a stolen vehicle to facilitate the break-in.

“We’re seeing this increasingly become a violent crime because of the introduction of weapons that, unfortunately, are being left in vehicles on a nightly basis,” Salazar explained.

House Bill 548

Alongside Sheriff Salazar, the Centro San Antonio organization, in conjunction with the San Antonio Police Officer’s Association and other law enforcement bodies, has initiated a petition to garner support for House Bill 548, which seeks to impose harsher penalties on car burglars. Recent data from SAPD revealed that 429 car burglaries occurred over a 30-day span between late December 2023 and late January 2024, averaging almost 14 incidents per day across the city.

“We are witnessing significant issues with car burglaries, particularly during large public events when visitors may be less vigilant,” emphasized Trish DeBerry, CEO of Centro San Antonio.

Concerns Over Youth Offenders

A concerning trend has emerged regarding the age of offenders; many individuals committing these burglaries are under 21. Judge William “Cruz” Shaw III, who oversees juvenile cases, noted that elevating burglary to a felony may provide more options for rehabilitation for young offenders.

“If it is a felony, on the juvenile side, we’ll have more options to rehabilitate the individual or send them to prison,” Shaw stated.

Alternative Views on Crime Reduction

Some community leaders argue that increasing penalties may not necessarily result in decreased crime rates. Advocate and leader of Big Mama’s Safe House emphasized the importance of investing in community programs targeting the root causes of crime, suggesting that effective solutions lie outside punitive measures.

“Stricter laws do not deter crime; instead, they simply increase incarceration rates,” he commented. “Addressing root causes through grassroots initiatives is essential for meaningful change.”

To further mitigate gun thefts from vehicles, it has been suggested that local lawmakers consider providing free gun safes and enforce laws that obligate gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms promptly.