Texas State, San Marcos Partner to Boost Downtown Police Patrols

University allocates $150,000 to increase police presence after violent weekend in bar district

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The San Marcos Police Department and Texas State University have announced a partnership to increase police patrols in the downtown area, particularly on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The move comes after a violent weekend shortly after Halloween that saw multiple shootings and overwhelmed the city's police force, prompting the closure of bars in the courthouse square area.

Why it matters

The increased police presence is aimed at addressing crime and public safety concerns in the downtown area, which is popular among Texas State students. The partnership between the city and university demonstrates a collaborative approach to improving security in the community.

The details

Under the agreement, Texas State has allocated $150,000 to help pay for the additional police patrols. The San Marcos Police Department has assigned four officers full-time to the downtown district, and the university has also approved four new police officer positions to keep up with student enrollment growth.

  • On Jan. 3, the San Marcos Police Department assigned a dedicated team of officers to the courthouse square area.
  • On Feb. 3, the San Marcos City Council voted to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Texas State, formalizing the university's $150,000 contribution.

The players

Stan Standridge

Chief of the San Marcos Police Department.

Texas State University

A public university located in San Marcos, Texas, that has partnered with the city to increase police patrols in the downtown area.

San Marcos Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling the city of San Marcos, including the downtown area.

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What they’re saying

“This partnership with Texas State University police... is what smart public safety collaboration looks like. Their $150,000 commitment allows us to put officers where they're needed most, in the heart of our downtown.”

— Stan Standridge, San Marcos Police Chief (City of San Marcos)

What’s next

The increased police patrols in the downtown area are expected to continue on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with the goal of improving public safety and reducing crime in the district.

The takeaway

The partnership between Texas State University and the San Marcos Police Department demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing public safety concerns in the community. By allocating additional resources and personnel to the downtown area, the city and university are working together to create a safer environment for residents and students alike.