While millions of Thanksgiving travelers will be braving airports this week, state and local law enforcement agencies will again be watching for intoxicated and distracted drivers behind the wheel and
It was a deadly year for homicides in New Braunfels and Comal County, which together totaled seven murders for 2020, according to nationwide crime statistics released Monday.
Last October, Keith Lane left Haltom City, where he had served 15 years as police chief, public safety director and city manager, to enter the unknown in New Braunfels.
Serving as New Braunfels interim police chief would give him the leg up on the competition seeking the permanent job â which turned out to be the right move.
Lane, 56, was among 62 applicants, eight semifinalists and four finalists hoping to become the cityâs next top cop. Months before he was selected and sworn into office, he already had begun putting his stamp on city police operations.
âItâs been crazy â Iâd like to describe it like drinking water through a fire hose,â Lane said about the last few months. âBut itâs been great. This is an exceptional police department full of exceptional individuals doing a great job. Theyâve been incredibly supportive.â
The final four candidates for New Braunfelsâ next police chief took time out from interviews with city staffers to speak with those they hope to serve â regular citizens.
Mark Schauer, Keith Lane, Rich Guajardo and Troy Gay, all vying to be top cop in the city, received a warm welcome during a Tuesday evening reception at City Hall. All have final interviews Wednesday with City Manager Robert Camareno and assistant city managers.
âWe welcome all of them to our community, and itâs a wonderful community,â Camareno said to the quartet of men hoping to succeed Tom Wibert, who retired Oct. 2 after leading the New Braunfels Police Department for a decade.