City Grows By The Thousands; Police Add Two Additional Officers

EL PASO, TX – The El Paso Police Department has grown by only two additional police officers this decade despite an influx of thousands to the city.

“I don’t think this department has kept up with the growth of this city … I’m worried about our ability to keep up,” says Police Chief Richard Wiles, “my biggest concern is the crime rate will eventually rise.”

Back in 2000, the population of El Paso stood at about 560,000. According to Police Chief Richard Wiles, the police department had about 1,080 officers patrolling the streets at that time.

The last city census reveals the city’s population grew by about 50,000 people from 2000 to 2007. The city’s police department now has 1,082 police officer, according to Wiles.

In recent years, El Paso has seen tremendous growth in the Northeast and the East Side. “I remember Lee Trevino was the gateway to ‘no man’s land’ – it was so far removed. Now, it’s explosive, it’s growing,” says Tyrone Mansfield, an East Side resident. He moved back to El Paso seven years ago.

In the next few years, thousands of soldiers will be relocated to Fort Bliss as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s transformation of the nation’s military. Yet, the police department has only grown by two additional officers.

Wiles tells ABC-7 patrol officers working at the Pebble Hills Regional Command Center are responsible for securing the area from the El Paso International Airport to recently annexed areas east of Loop 375.

“We need 350 new officers on the streets today,” says Wiles, revealing one of the areas most affected by the shortage is the far East Side. “When you have an increase in people, you naturally have an increase in traffic issues, DUI’s and violence – this department is responsible for keeping up with it.”

Hesays the only option is to add more officers soon but does not blame the shortage on the city’s financial situation. “Even when we have the funding, this department is facing a shortage of applicants,” he says.

The shortage of applicants is due to the aggressive recruitment strategies by federal agencies in the wake of the September 11 attacks, says Wiles.

“Sooner or later, you get to the point where the rubber band can’t stretch anymore … we’re getting to that point,” he adds.

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Compiled, written and reported for broadcast by Martin Bartlett

Written for the web by Joe Villasana