Chief Chris Hassig is delivering on his commitment to data-informed policing with the release of the Stillwater Police Department's first annual report under his leadership, showing an 8 percent decline in overall crime alongside a 25.4 percent surge in vehicle break-ins.

The 9-page report, shared on the department's Facebook page Jan. 30, showed the city recorded 5,708 total crimes in 2025 compared to 6,206 in 2024. However, vehicle break-ins jumped 25.4 percent and shoplifting increased 14.3 percent.

When Hassig introduced himself to the Stillwater Frontier Rotary Club in August, he emphasized his approach to using data to identify crime trends and deploy resources strategically. The annual report includes data on crime statistics, traffic accidents, jail operations, animal welfare and departmental initiatives, though the data only extends back to 2024, making it difficult to identify longer-term statistical trends beyond a year-over-year comparison.

Hassig, who joined the department in April, said the vehicle break-ins remain crimes of opportunity that take only seconds to commit.

"As a city, we still average less than one a day (0.61 car break-ins/day), which is a testament to how safe Stillwater is," Hassig said in an email response. "We continue to ask our residents not to leave valuables in their vehicles and certainly do not leave purses and backpacks visible."

The chief recommended residents equip items with tracking devices such as AirTags to assist in locating stolen merchandise.

Violent crime decreases

The department saw notable improvements in violent crime, with aggravated assaults down 10 percent and simple assaults dropping 18 percent. However, the city recorded three murders in 2025 compared to zero in 2024.

The department has emphasized increased crime prevention measures targeting auto burglaries and other property crimes, according to the report.

Top crash locations identified

The area of 100 North Perkins Road was the city's most dangerous location for crashes, recording 47 accidents in 2025. The area of East Sixth Avenue and South Perkins Road ranked second with 20 crashes, followed by East 12th Avenue and South Perkins Road with 18.

Hassig said the department is working to increase its presence at the top crash location as a deterrent but could not speak to potential infrastructure changes.

New initiatives launched

The department became one of 14 Oklahoma law enforcement agencies participating in the Active Bystandership in Law Enforcement program, designed to prevent misconduct and promote officer wellness. All officers completed an eight-hour introductory class, with annual two-hour refresher courses required.

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Mental health response evolves

The department's Crisis Intervention Coordinator works outside the regular calls for service rotation to lead mental health responses throughout the city and assist with identifying resources for homeless individuals, Hassig said.

"The officer in this position works closely with Grand Mental Health, Our Daily Bread, Wings of Hope, and others," Hassig said. "He also leads training throughout the region to help neighboring agencies better their responses."

The coordinator works in plain clothes to help de-escalate situations and build rapport with individuals who might otherwise avoid talking to uniformed officers.

"While it's not perfect, we have seen our ability to connect to those individuals improve," Hassig said.

Calls for service decline

Overall calls for service declined 5.3 percent, from 45,843 in 2024 to 43,404 in 2025. However, citizen-initiated calls increased 6.4 percent to 22,229, while officer-initiated activity dropped 15.1 percent to 21,175.

Officers booked 1,010 individuals into the SPD jail in 2025, slightly down from 1,026 in 2024. The average length of stay was 8 hours and 18 minutes. Approximately 75 percent of inmates were male.

Of the 1,010 inmates processed, 523 were released directly from the SPD jail, 453 were transferred to Payne County Jail, and 34 were transferred to another facility.

Animal welfare shows dramatic improvements

The Animal Welfare unit responded to 4,714 calls for service in 2025, nearly matching the previous year's 4,760 calls. However, four years of data reveal significant improvements in animal outcomes that the police department's annual report did not capture.

Total animal intakes have declined 18 percent since 2022, dropping from 1,609 animals to 1,319 in 2025. Dog intakes fell 31 percent over the same period, while stray cats plummeted 59 percent from 224 in 2022 to just 91 in 2025.

The shelter achieved a no-kill milestone, recording zero euthanizations for space in both 2024 and 2025. Total euthanizations excluding owner-requested procedures dropped 55 percent in 2025 to just 30 animals, down from 63 in 2022.

The unit took in 739 dogs, 550 cats and 30 other animals in 2025. Of those, 533 dogs and 91 cats were strays, while 173 dogs and 386 cats were owner-surrendered.

The department launched a Trap-Neuter-Return program in 2025, processing 39 cats through the initiative and releasing them back to their outdoor colonies. The program likely contributed to the dramatic decline in stray cat intakes.

Adoptions totaled 775 animals in 2025, down from a peak of 933 in 2023 but proportional to the reduced number of animals coming through the facility. The shelter returned 300 dogs and seven cats to their owners, and transferred 81 animals to in-state rescues.

Note the Stillwater Humane Society also serves the needs of the local pet population and reports 481 animals adopted in 2025.

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New shelter approved, construction underway

Voters overwhelmingly approved an $8.75 million general obligation bond in April to build a new animal shelter, with 74 percent voting in favor. The 15-year bond costs the owner of a median-priced $240,000 home approximately $5.50 per month at the high point, declining to an average of $2.75 monthly over the bond's lifetime.

The new 12,200-square-foot facility will replace the current 3,400-square-foot building constructed in 1984. The expanded shelter will nearly double capacity for cats and dogs while providing natural light for all kennels and separating cat and dog housing areas.

The project budget includes $7.2 million for construction, with additional costs for design, utility services, furnishings and a $500,000 contingency fund. The facility is expected to open in 2028 with an anticipated 50-year lifespan.

Continued data tracking

Hassig said the department is committed to tracking crime categories and identifying trends to inform future annual reports.

"We are constantly tracking data daily, weekly, and monthly to identify trends across the city," Hassig said. "When it comes time to release our next annual report, we will look at these categories and others that may highlight important information."

At full authorized strength, the department employs 80 sworn officers and 45 professional support staff across two main bureaus: Operations and Services.

"I am incredibly proud of the men and women who serve alongside me in the Stillwater Police Department," Hassig wrote in the report's welcome message. "I have witnessed firsthand the compassion, strength, empathy, and bravery they bring to their work every single day."