Jeep Weekend Safety and Statistics

Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Town Hall Recap
In a packed town hall meeting last week, Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen and his team met with residents to review the results of the 2025 Jeep Weekend operations, highlighting a successful year marked by a dramatic decrease in violent crime on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Sheriff Fullen opened the meeting by acknowledging the strong community turnout and the importance of transparency. “You deserve to know exactly what we did, why we did it, and how it turned out,” he emphasized. He also stressed the importance of maintaining civility and focusing on facts rather than courtroom debates.

Jeep Weekend has historically been a challenging event for law enforcement and residents alike. Between 2022 and 2024, violent incidents—particularly aggravated assaults and shootings—rose sharply. According to Captain Tommy Matthew:

• Aggravated Assaults: 5 in 2022, 4 in 2023, 7 in 2024
• Homicides: 0 in 2022 and 2023, 1 in 2024
• Sex Offenses: 1 in 2022, 3 in 2023, 1 in 2024
• Shootings: 1 in 2022, 11 in 2023, 14 in 2024

But in 2025, those numbers were brought down to zero across the board. Sheriff Fullen underscored the importance of this achievement: “I like that big zero by homicides, by shootings, by stabbings, by sexual assaults. That’s what I like seeing—zeros. To me, that made the whole thing a success.”

The sheriff’s office executed a carefully crafted operational plan that combined proactive policing with strategic traffic control. With the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies, a total of 526 officers were deployed during Jeep Weekend—a significant show of force to ensure public safety.

Traffic stops were a key tool, increasing by 104% compared to previous years, totaling 996 stops in 2025. Arrest statistics remained relatively consistent, with 198 arrests by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office alone and 267 arrests when including all partner agencies. The most common offenses included:

• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of marijuana
• No driver’s license
• No seatbelt
• Possession of a controlled substance

Notably, 42 firearms were seized at checkpoints. Sheriff Fullen emphasized that these were not hunting rifles but weapons likely intended for violent crimes. “They weren’t coming to the beach to hunt,” he said. “They were coming to commit the violent crimes we’ve seen in the past.”

Calls for service—911 and non-emergency calls—dropped significantly, reflecting the effectiveness of the operational plan:

• 2022: 282 calls
• 2023: 394 calls
• 2024: 309 calls
• 2025: 171 calls (a 45% reduction from previous years)

Medical calls also decreased by an estimated 65%, relieving pressure on emergency responders and ensuring safer conditions for both visitors and residents.

Fullen praised the local community for its support, noting that 126 homes and over 600 beds were offered by Bolivar Peninsula residents to host officers, enabling faster response times in emergencies. “I want to applaud y’all,” he said. “Bolivar residents truly opened their hearts and doors to our deputies.”

When asked about the future of Jeep Weekend, Fullen expressed a willingness to collaborate with Jeep clubs and other groups to create organized, safer events in the coming years. He suggested that groups apply for mass gathering permits through the county to hold their own events, similar to Mardi Gras models. Commissioner Joe highlighted the need for any organizers to contribute to the cost of security, ensuring a sustainable and safe celebration.

Sheriff Fullen acknowledged the constitutional rights of assembly but explained that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) requires a permit for gatherings of 250 people or more on the beach. He emphasized that the sheriff’s office worked closely with the GLO, county legal advisors, and other stakeholders to ensure that operational plans respected individual rights while prioritizing public safety.

In closing, Sheriff Fullen reiterated his commitment to community safety: “There’s no perfect plan, but at the end of the day, our job is to protect you and your families. We’ll refine our strategies to keep violent crime at zero, so you can enjoy the beach without worry.”

As planning begins for next year’s Jeep Weekend, the sheriff’s office invites residents to share constructive feedback and ideas for continuous improvement. The department’s goal is clear: a safe, family-friendly environment where everyone can enjoy the Bolivar Peninsula.

Tom

Tom Osten is living the dream in Crystal Beach with sweetheart Georgia and furry friend, Maezy. He is carrying on the legacy of CrystalBeach.com to promote this very special and unique community.

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