Round Rock Lauded For 'Operation Front Porch' Project

ROUND ROCK, TX — The Round Rock Police Department recently received the 2019 Leadership in Crime Prevention award for its Operation Front Porch program from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, officials said.

Chief Allen Banks accepted the award at the IACP Annual banqueton Oct. 29. The Leadership in Crime Prevention award was introduced at the 2018 IACP banquet and RRPD is the second recipient. The award recognizes innovative, data-driven, low-cost, and high-impact crime prevention programs that build community trust and increase community engagement.

“We are honored for Round Rock to be recognized internationally for this program,” Chief Banks said in a prepared statement. “Operation Front Porch began as an idea to prevent package theft and it has grown to become a valuable service for our citizens. The program gives residents one less thing to worry about during the holiday shopping season.”

Operation Front Porch begins its third year on Nov. 8, when the Round Rock Police Department will begin accepting delivery of packages at its station. The program grew from 30 packages received in 2017 to 380 in 2018.

It began as a way to provide residents with secure delivery of their holiday packages. Residents then pick up the package from our station. Each package we receive is one less opportunity for package theft, which allows our officers to focus on other calls for service. For more information, visit roundrocktexas.gov/frontporch.