safety
Texas crime rate continues to drop, with McAllen seeing its lowest levels in decades
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Texas Tribune, Berenice Garcia , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 23, 2026
· 7 min read
Subscribe to The Y’all — a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state. McALLEN — In 2019, a historic theater’s marquee in McAllen’s downtown district once lauded, “Welcome to McAllen, 7th Safes...
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Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Texas Tribune, Berenice Garcia, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The ranking itself came from a 2015 study by Smart Asset , a financial technology website.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio, the declining crime rate in Texas is a trend worth watching, particularly as it relates to the city's own public safety initiatives. While McAllen's achievement is notable, San Antonio's larger population and unique challenges require tailored approaches to crime reduction. The city's police department may take cues from McAllen's success, such as prioritizing community engagement and maintaining adequate officer staffing levels. Additionally, San Antonio's location near the border means that federal immigration policies, like those implemented during Trump's term, could have a ripple effect on local crime rates. As San Antonio continues to grow and evolve, it will be crucial to monitor the impact of state and national trends on its own crime landscape, and to adapt strategies that prioritize public safety and community well-being. By learning from other cities' successes, San Antonio can refine its own approach to reducing crime and creating a safer environment for its residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 7 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Subscribe to The Y’all — a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state. McALLEN — In 2019, a historic theater’s marquee in McAllen’s downtown district once lauded, “Welcome to McAllen, 7th Safes...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Berenice Garcia at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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