Bee Cave City Permits Police Patrols in HOAs

It is not a common practice to have police patrols in HOAs, but that may soon change for communities in the city of Bee Cave, TX.

City Approves Police Patrols in HOAs

The Bee Cave City Council recently held a meeting to pass a resolution permitting homeowners associations to pay for overtime so police officers can conduct patrols in their communities. City Manager Clint Garza attributes the resolution to the rising problems stemming from speeding and a failure to stop at stop signs, particularly in the neighborhood of Falconhead.

“We can put them in the neighborhoods, but outside the normal patrol hours,” Garza told local news, “so I think it is a good idea because the neighborhood wanted the additional patrol, but they offered to step up and fund it themselves.”

Travis Lowe, a resident in the area, explained that drivers have been using his neighborhood as a shortcut to reach SH 71 or FM 620. The problem is that these drivers often go beyond the speed limit. In fact, Lowe has seen vehicles going 50 to 60 mph when the limit is at 25 to 30 mph.

“We love it over here. We love the neighborhood. The traffic, not so much,” Lowe said.

How the Police Patrols Will Work in Bee Cave

Homeowners associations in Bee Cave can submit an application to request additional patrol. Then, these HOAs would just need to reimburse the city for the overtime pay of the police officers.

The police patrols would operate 4 days per week working in 4-hour shifts. Officers who wish to earn extra money can sign up for police patrols in HOAs.

According to the Bee Cave City Council meeting, though, this is only a pilot program. There are concerns that the program will not work well in the long term because of a lack of manpower.