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Public Safety
Construction will soon begin on Central Health's new clinics in eastern Travis County
Construction will soon start on two new health centers in eastern Travis County aimed at expanding access to underserved communities. Central Health, Travis County’s health care district, is constructing the health centers in Del Valle and Hornsby Bend. The centers,…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Mar 18, 2022
Health leaders developing plan to help those with substance use disorder
For the past two years, a network of local stakeholders has been thinking about how best to help community members who struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. After two years of “planning to plan,” representatives from the Travis…
Public Health • By Willow Higgins • Mar 17, 2022
Austin looks into opening a trauma recovery center
Austin’s Public Health Committee is taking a look at establishing a trauma recovery center in the city to help victims of violent crime navigate their way to recovery. The resolution, which the committee passed last week, directs city staff to…
Public Health • By Willow Higgins • Mar 15, 2022
As Covid numbers improve, city eyes increasing homeless shelter capacity
As Covid-19 infections and other public health indicators related to the pandemic continue to improve locally, City Council members want advocates for the area’s homeless population to look at increasing capacity at shelters around the city. At a recent joint…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 14, 2022
Another demonstrator is suing Austin and an APD officer after being shot with a beanbag round
Austin is being sued in civil court by another demonstrator who was struck by so-called “less-lethal” rounds during protests over police violence and racial justice in 2020. On Tuesday, Bomani Barton filed a civil suit against the city and the…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 10, 2022
Commission recommends moving APD forensics lab
With little fanfare, Austin’s Public Safety Commission voted unanimously Monday to ask City Council to move the Forensic Science Bureau out of the Austin Police Department, making it independent both in structure and budget. Commissioners signaled last month that they…
Public Safety • By Jo Clifton • Mar 8, 2022
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Entertainment permit among actions Council envisions for safer Sixth Street
The city could institute an entertainment permit for nightclubs and other late-night gathering spots downtown as part of its plans to curb violence in the Sixth Street entertainment district. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with an assortment…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 4, 2022
Austin OKs $2.95 million settlement for Brad Levi Ayala, teen injured by police at 2020 protests
Austin City Council agreed to pay Brad Levi Ayala $2.95 million for injuries suffered after being shot by an APD officer on May 30, 2020. Ayala, who was 16 at the time, suffered brain trauma as a result of the…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 4, 2022
Austin drops down to Stage 3 Covid risk guidance
Austin-Travis County has moved to Stage 3, the middle level, of Austin Public Health’s Covid-19 risk-based guidelines. The numbers of new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations continue to fall as the worst of the omicron surge subsides in the area. The…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Mar 2, 2022
Austin moves to Stage 4 of its risk-based Covid guidelines ahead of SXSW, Austin Rodeo
Austin is no longer at its highest level of Covid risk-based guidelines. Austin Public Health announced Thursday that it’s lowering its guidance to Stage 4. That means fully vaccinated people in the five-county area should wear masks when shopping, dining…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Feb 25, 2022
County, city agree to establish joint public health commission
On Tuesday, with staff’s recommendation, a solid majority of the Travis County Commissioners Court voted in favor of joining the city of Austin to create a joint public health commission. The motion comes as many in the community criticize the…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Feb 24, 2022
Council adopts public safety initiative to address vacancy concerns
With staffing challenges at a critical juncture in each of Austin’s three public safety departments, City Council has directed the city manager to build a comprehensive plan to address the shortages. The ATX Public Safety Vacancy Staffing Plan lays out…
