SAN ANTONIO – District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran issued the following statement regarding the City Council's approval of a new collective bargaining contract with the San Antonio Police Officers Association:
"This agreement today is a new beginning. This has been a conversation that was initiated 25 years ago, which is evidence that this was not a simple or easy process.
Recommended Videos
I am pleased that our negotiating team and the police union were able to reach this compromise that recognizes our police officers' efforts and also keeps us fiscally responsible so that we may continue to provide much needed services, infrastructure programs, and resources that are included in the rest of our City budget.
I want to personally thank Police Chief William McManus and his staff, as well as the SAFFE officers of East and South Patrol, for continuing their community outreach to all the Neighborhood Associations, HOAs, senior apartment resident meetings, Coffee with the Cops and Crime Watch groups in the South and Southeast side. We will continue to enhance these interactions and with the passage of this agreement improve our public safety responsiveness.
After today, I also look forward to continuing a productive dialogue that addresses accountability and transparency but also further strengthens our police and community relationships. I look forward to serving in a leadership capacity that will build on this important work. The Mayor's task force will be a community-based committee that will address specific issues through a five-point strategic plan.
As a lifelong resident of San Antonio, I have always understood that San Antonio is unique from the rest of the nation. I thank the Mayor for her leadership and movement to make San Antonio stronger.
Working together with the community and our police officers, I am confident we can improve the quality of safety and security of our residents and businesses throughout the entire city."