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Public Safety
License plate reader questions coming back to Council again
While considering a new contract for license plate readers for the Austin Police Department last week, City Council could not reach agreement on how long the department should retain the information generated. Council will consider the policy as part of…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Jun 6, 2023
Traffic fatalities surpass pre-pandemic levels in continued ‘public health crisis’
The number of people seriously injured or killed on Austin roadways over the past two years is higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to an update released late last month by the city’s Vision Zero program. The report says that 1,287…
Public Health • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 5, 2023
Firearms, unsafe drivers still seen as greatest safety threats for Sixth Street
The presence of firearms and the possibility of a vehicle breaking through barricades and entering crowds are the two greatest threats to Austin’s popular Sixth Street nightlife district, according to police and emergency leaders. The Downtown Commission received updates last…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 2, 2023
Council debates data-retention period for license plate reader pilot program
City Council is negotiating how long the Austin Police Department should retain data from dashboard camera license plate readers – weighing civil liberty protections against potential crime-solving benefits – in preparation for a pilot program using the technology. Council defunded…
Police • By Emma Freer • Jun 1, 2023
APD, DPS brief Public Safety Committee on suspended partnership
More than a week after the Austin Police Department announced its controversial partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety had come to a close, law enforcement officials on Monday briefed the city’s Public Safety Committee on the now-defunct deployment…
Police • By Emma Freer • May 24, 2023
Public Safety Commission greenlights license-plate reader program amid police pushback
The Public Safety Commission voted unanimously on Monday that City Council approve a pilot program reinstating the Austin Police Department’s license-plate reader program – with caveats. Council is due to revisit a new contract for license-plate reader systems and related…
Police • By Emma Freer • May 18, 2023
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City still needs more 911 operators
Although the city has stepped up recruiting efforts considerably for filling vacancies in its 911 call center, there are still 49 vacancies among the 104 positions, according to Maria Calagna, director of emergency communications for the Austin Police Department. Calagna…
Police • By Jo Clifton • May 17, 2023
County and city collaborate on robust mental health program ahead of diversion facility launch
With the wheels officially in motion for Travis County’s Mental Health Diversion Center, City Hall is doing its own work to scale up the mental health services that will be key to its success. In honor of Mental Health Awareness…
Public Health • By Kali Bramble • May 16, 2023
State police suspend controversial patrol agreement with Austin
The Austin Police Department says the Texas Department of Public Safety is ending its partnership with the city of Austin to supplement police patrols. APD told KUT Saturday that troopers were being reassigned to the Texas border following the expiration…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 15, 2023
Scrambling to fill unwanted correctional jobs, the county approves advertising contract
Travis County just granted the Sheriff’s Office a substantial chunk of money to help remedy its vacancy problem. On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved the transfer to the Sheriff’s Office to pay for a $483,000 contract with Palladium Media –…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • May 11, 2023
City commission looks at proposal for new communication center
The Urban Transportation Committee was presented last Tuesday with the prospect of a second facility to operate CTECC: the Combined Transportation, Emergency and Communications Center. The purpose of CTECC is to facilitate more efficient communication and data sharing between agencies,…
Public Safety • By Ava Garderet • May 10, 2023
Community groups call for an end to APD, DPS partnership
Multiple community representatives and activists called for an end to the partnership between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety during public comment at City Council’s regular meeting May 4. The concerns echo questions raised by…
