How can My Community Implement Cite and Release?
Despite the tremendous benefits, most law enforcement agencies in Texas have chosen to not implement Cite and Release due to a variety of reasons from even being unaware of the option to petty jurisdictional squabbles which prevent the creation of the infrastructure needed to implement the policy.
Only Travis, Hays, Navarro and Palo Pinto counties, along with the cities of Austin and San Marcos have implemented the policy giving officers an option and even in these places use of cite and release has been sporadic and arbitrary.
Potential Cost Savings
(based on City figures as shown in report linked on www.keepaustinsafe.org):
Officer time: $195.30 per arrest
Fingerprinting and ID: $11.10 per arrest
Report Review: $14.64
Booking Services: $104.35
Cost of Magistration: $17.45
City Marshall Transportation; Support Staff, Equipment, Supplies; Incarceration (which includes Travis Co. staff time): $??
Health/mental health costs: $??
PARTIAL COST of an ARREST: $342.92 + unknowns that possibly double that amount x potentially 15-16,000 unnecessary arrests not made in a year can save $5-10 million.