Following several violent crimes in the San Marcos downtown square in 2025, the City Council approved a partnership with Texas State University to enhance public safety in the area at a Feb. 3 meeting.
The overview
The university will provide $150,000 in funding to the city, supporting a full-time staff of four San Marcos Police Department, or SMPD, officers in the downtown square during periods of high activity, according to a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, signed by the entities.
An MOU is a formal, non-legally binding agreement between two or more entities.
A dedicated team of officers were assigned to the square Jan. 3. The increased police presence will be supported by the approved university funding. The MOU will be in effect until June 30.
The University Police Department, or UPD, will assign officers in the area often frequented by Texas State students, specifically during Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, according to agenda documents.
Diving deeper
The university funding will be used to cover the necessary overtime pay for officers taking on the patrol duties of the SMPD officers assigned to the downtown square.
Officers assigned to the area will maintain a visible presence, work to reduce violent and disorderly conduct, and support safe conditions for university students and the broader community, according to the MOU.
The SMPD chief and UPD chief may agree to adjust staffing levels and schedules based on data-driven analysis, crime trends and operational needs.
Notable quote
“We have a really good relationship with the University Police Department,” said Stan Standridge, SMPD chief. “On the fateful night of Halloween weekend [2025] that saw some violence in our city, they were one of the very first responders to assist us downtown. The $150,000 is a very gracious way for them [to help] us increase safety downtown.”