Stories by Emma Freer
APD releases after-action report detailing response to 2020 protests
In the two years and four months since thousands of Austinites protested the police killing of George Floyd, 19 Austin police officers have been indicted for using so-called less-lethal ammunition, or beanbag rounds, on protesters, and the city of Austin…
Police • By Emma Freer • Sep 23, 2022
Council sends police oversight act to voters, despite concerns about delay
Voters will decide in May whether to expand civilian oversight of the Austin Police Department after City Council declined to pass an initiative petition during a Sept. 15 meeting, with some members expressing concerns about potential legal challenges. The political…
Elections • By Emma Freer • Sep 20, 2022
City to raise pay for 911 operators, police dispatchers amid vacancies
The city of Austin will increase pay rates for 911 call takers and police dispatchers for the second time in five months in an effort to stanch rising vacancy rates. Human Resources and Civil Services Director Joya Hayes announced the…
Public Safety • By Emma Freer • Sep 12, 2022
Black dispossession study starts to quantify cost of city's 1928 master plan
The city’s 1928 master plan, which effectively legalized segregation in Austin and limited public services for Black residents to a newly created “Negro District” east of what is now Interstate 35, has cost Black homeowners in just five neighborhoods –…
Austin • By Emma Freer • Sep 6, 2022
Mayor celebrates mobility, equity and housing wins in final State of the City
Austin Mayor Steve Adler lauded the 10-1 City Council system and the headway Council has made on mobility, equity and housing issues during his eighth and final State of the City address, delivered to a packed City Hall on Thursday.…
City Council • By Emma Freer • Aug 26, 2022
Council to consider budget amendment for sexual assault investigations
The city’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget could include more than $850,000 in additional funding for sexual assault investigations, building on a yearslong effort to reform how the Austin Police Department investigates and processes such cases. Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter…
Police • By Emma Freer • Aug 15, 2022
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Equity Action submits police oversight petition ahead of November election
Austin voters may get the chance to decide whether to expand police oversight in the November election. Equity Action, a local political action committee dedicated to public safety reform, submitted 33,000 petition signatures to the city clerk on Monday in support…
Police • By Emma Freer • Aug 10, 2022
City pushes to open police personnel files to the public
The city of Austin proposed making portions of police officers’ personnel files public, including disciplinary histories, and raising salaries 6 percent over four years during its Thursday negotiation session. As the current contract’s Sept. 30 expiration date nears, the two…
Police • By Emma Freer • Aug 8, 2022
Local campaign contribution limits to rise ahead of November election
Inflation isn’t only driving up mortgage interest rates, gas prices and the city’s living wage. It’s also behind proposed increases to the city’s campaign contribution limits, which cap how much money City Council candidates can accept from individual and out-of-town…
Elections • By Emma Freer • Jul 29, 2022
Police union pushes for increased officers’ rights, standard transfer protocol
The Austin Police Association countered some of the city’s proposals regarding officers’ rights, discipline, assignment changes and dispute resolution during their latest negotiation session Wednesday. With just over two months until the current labor contract expires, the bargaining teams continue to…
Police • By Emma Freer • Jul 25, 2022
Notley/Monitor Poll: Austinites stand divided on police spending, public safety
More than two years after a series of mass protests triggered budget cuts for the Austin Police Department, and nearly a year after voters rejected a proposition to expand the department’s ranks, Austinites remain split in their perceptions of law…
Police • By Emma Freer • Jul 14, 2022
Notley/Monitor Poll: Lack of affordability tops list of Austin’s most pressing issues
Austinites across demographic groups and the political spectrum find common ground when identifying the city’s most pressing issue. Nearly 60 percent chose lack of affordability, according to a June survey of 507 likely voters commissioned by Notley and conducted by…
