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Public Safety
Council members grill APD, DPS chiefs over partnership's impacts on Black and Latino Austinites
City Council questioned leaders of the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday about the disparate impacts its policing partnership is having on communities of color throughout Austin. The briefings took place during Tuesday’s work…
Police • By Nina Hernandez • May 4, 2023
Travis County honors Sheriff’s Office, in light of substantial correctional staffing shortages
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a proclamation Tuesday that recognized the week of May 7 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Travis County. Commissioners announced the proclamation before a group of several county correctional officers, including Travis…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • May 4, 2023
APD, Public Safety Commission clash over decorum, responsiveness
Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon threatened to withhold his department’s participation in future meetings of the city’s Public Safety Commission, citing a lack of decorum and exposing deep-seated tensions between the two entities. Commissioners, in turn, spoke of APD leadership’s…
Police • By Emma Freer • May 3, 2023
Fentanyl-related overdoses doubled in a year in Travis County, per medical examiner
Despite significant work across Travis County over the last year, the number of overdose deaths increased 35 percent and the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths climbed 108 percent. That number has increased tenfold since 2019 and has doubled since last…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • May 1, 2023
A month into Austin patrols, state police are disproportionately arresting people of color
New data from the Travis County Attorney’s Office shows Black and Latino people have been disproportionately arrested by state police in the last few weeks. The data provides a look into the first few weeks of the Austin Police Department’s…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 1, 2023
Audit shows growth of firefighters’ overtime spending
Firefighters continue to rack up overtime while the Austin Fire Department continues to recruit and train more firefighters as others retire. According to a report presented to the city’s Audit and Finance Committee on Wednesday, the department was on track…
Fire • By Jo Clifton • Apr 27, 2023
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City and county join forces for mental health diversion center plan
The words of Travis County Judge Andy Brown reflect the disturbing reality that, right now, the county jail is the largest mental health facility in the county for people who have needs that would be better addressed with other resources,…
Public Safety • By Ava Garderet • Apr 27, 2023
Council OKs license-plate reader contract negotiations, amid community concerns
City Council is taking steps that will allow the Austin Police Department to reintroduce – on a much grander scale – its license-plate reader program, which was shelved as a result of major departmental budget cuts in 2020. Council authorized…
Police • By Emma Freer • Apr 25, 2023
City Council recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
City Council issued a proclamation this week recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and the work that Austin, Travis County and a network of advocacy groups and nonprofits are doing to reform the region’s sexual assault response…
Public Safety • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 21, 2023
City Council interrogates APD, city staff about DPS partnership
More than three weeks after Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced a new partnership between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, City Council members had a chance to ask APD leadership and city staff about the…
Police • By Emma Freer • Apr 19, 2023
Police chief says Austin has seen a big drop in violent crime since state troopers started helping out
Austin’s police chief says the department has seen a 25 percent drop in violent crime since a partnership with Department of Public Safety troopers began late last month. At a news conference Friday, APD Chief Joseph Chacon said the partnership…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 17, 2023
City Council approves additional cameras, park rangers in Rainey Street district
The city will direct more public safety resources toward the Rainey Street neighborhood to prevent additional drowning deaths suffered by patrons of the bars and restaurants frequenting the popular nightlife district. City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday that directs…
