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Public Safety
City Council delays vote on police dash-cam contract
City Council voted unanimously to postpone voting on a three-year, $3.8 million contract to update the Austin Police Department’s fleet of dashboard cameras, citing concerns about the vendor’s built-in automated license plate reader, or ALPR, technology. “There’s lots of things…
Police • By Emma Freer • Mar 29, 2023
State police to supplement APD officers amid ongoing staffing problems
The city has entered into a partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety to supplement the Austin Police Department amid its ongoing staffing shortage and a public perception that the city has too few police officers. The partnership was…
Police • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 28, 2023
A new report says Austin allergies aren't that bad. Locals beg to differ.
For folks moving to Austin, experiencing the first brush with cedar fever is practically a rite of passage. Griping about allergies is a sacred activity that unites the newbies with folks born-and-raised in Austin. So when a report was released…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Mar 27, 2023
Travis County to build diversion center aimed at reducing recidivism
The Travis County Commissioners Court passed a resolution Tuesday to create both a diversion center for mental health and substance use disorders as well as fund construction for a new central booking and intake facility. During a press briefing on…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Mar 23, 2023
Report: APD Training Academy curriculum review flawed, hampered by resistance to reform
A third-party evaluation of the Austin Police Department Training Academy’s curriculum review process found it lacked “a clearly defined mission and scope, which hampered its effectiveness from the beginning,” and that it suffered from instructors’ resistance to reform and did…
Police • By Emma Freer • Mar 22, 2023
Austin Public Health offers $50 gift cards for COVID vaccinations and boosters
Anyone who gets a Covid-19 vaccine or booster shot at an Austin Public Health vaccination event will be eligible to receive a $50 Visa gift card, the agency said Monday. APH said it hopes the incentive will be helpful to people…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Mar 21, 2023
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New forecast modeling puts Austin homeless population near 4,600
New methods for counting and forecasting by one of Austin’s leading homelessness services organizations suggests nearly 4,600 people are experiencing homelessness in the city, far higher than previous estimates and counts using federal guidelines. The new figure was revealed at…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 20, 2023
City Council takes step to restart Community Police Academy
After a three-year pandemic hiatus, the Austin Police Department’s Community Police Academy, a 14-week program designed for members of the public, may soon resume classes. City Council voted last week to direct city staff to report back on the possibility…
Police • By Emma Freer • Mar 15, 2023
Salvation Army changes course on timing of downtown shelter closure after Council pressure
After a week of pressure from Mayor Kirk Watson, members of City Council and community activists, the Salvation Army announced Friday it would extend operations at its downtown shelter through April 30. The extension is being funded by the city…
Public Health • By Nina Hernandez • Mar 14, 2023
Fire, EMS unions echo calls for city to review extreme weather policies
An ice storm last month prompted fears of a Winter Storm Uri redux, with widespread power outages, and concerns among city officials, including about the leadership of since-terminated City Manager Spencer Cronk. Now, fire and EMS union representatives have joined…
Public Safety • By Emma Freer • Mar 9, 2023
City announces police pay package ahead of police labor contract expiration
The city of Austin announced a plan to preserve police pay and benefits and to address long-standing staffing shortages when the current police labor contract expires at the end of this month with no likely successor in place. “We are…
Police • By Emma Freer • Mar 3, 2023
City outlines public safety plans for bustling spring festival season
With downtown Austin set to host five major events in a six-week period beginning with South by Southwest, city leaders have presented their plans for road closures and increased public safety measures that are likely to disrupt normal activities in…
