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 hash out conflicting aims: increased transparency and oversight for the city, pay raises and other […]
Public Safety
Posted inPublic Health
Austin City Council votes to decriminalize abortion
The Austin City Council has approved a resolution that will effectively decriminalize abortion in Austin. The resolution, called the Guarding the Right to Abortion Care for Everyone (GRACE) Act, was proposed by Council Member Chito Vela. It asks law enforcement agencies to make prosecuting abortion-seekers and providers their lowest priority. The resolution will also stop the […]
Posted inPublic Health
Commission for Women supports the GRACE Act, abortion access
Austin’s Commission for Women passed a recommendation this week in support of the GRACE Act, which would de-prioritize abortion investigations and prevent city funds from being used to report procedures, which will soon be completely illegal in the state. While City Council is currently in recess, the GRACE Act will be discussed when Council convenes on […]
Posted inPolice
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 enforcement. Seventeen percent believe the city is spending the right amount on policing, compared to […]
Posted inPublic Health
AFD on the front lines of effort to combat overdose crisis
The Austin Fire Department spoke about its use of naloxone to combat drug overdoses in its quarterly report at the Public Safety Commission’s July 5 meeting. The department’s report coincides with City Council’s declaration of opioid overdose deaths as a public health crisis. Council approved a resolution officially declaring a public health crisis at its […]
Posted inPublic Health
County moves ahead with plan to expand community access to naloxone
Travis County Health and Human Services has identified a vendor to implement its plan to increase access to the opioid overdose-reversing drug naloxone in the community. The plan, which will cost approximately $350,000, is part of HHS’ response to the Travis County Commissioners Court’s May 24 declaration of a public health crisis related to drug […]
Posted inPolice
Public Safety Commission dives into data transparency at APD
The Austin Police Department gave a presentation on its efforts to improve data transparency at the Public Safety Commission meeting on Tuesday. The presentation, given by APD Research and Planning Division Manager Jason Matson, focused on how the public can access police department data sets. “Unless it’s protected by certain very narrow focuses of the […]
Posted inPolice
City, police union prep for ‘more substantial’ meetings as labor contract nears expiration
With three months until the current labor agreement expires, the city of Austin and the Austin Police Association are making progress toward a new contract that balances the city’s goals of increased transparency and oversight with the union’s goals of pay raises and other benefits. “The next couple of meetings will be probably the more […]
Posted inPublic Health
A limited supply of monkeypox vaccines and tests is heading to Travis County after case confirmed
Austin Public Health is requesting testing supplies and vaccines from the federal government to help address the potential spread of monkeypox in the area. The rare disease is caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, aches, chills and a rash of pimples or blisters. It can spread when someone comes in contact with an […]
Posted inPublic Health
Harper-Madison looking for improved help during heat emergencies
Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison expressed concern on the City Council Message Board this week about “how the city is addressing the stability of our electrical grid, local outages,” and the impact that has on “marginalized communities at the greatest risk of heat-related illness or death.” She said her concerns arose from a situation with two […]
Posted inPublic Health
Here’s where to get a Covid-19 vaccine in Austin for the youngest age group eligible
The federal government this month approved Covid-19 vaccinations for the youngest recipients yet: children ages 6 months to 5 years. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, says vaccines for this age group are safe and effective. “We also know from the data that we’ve collected throughout this pandemic that Covid is among the leading […]
Posted inPublic Health
Abortion access resolution gathering steam
City Council Member Chito Vela, the lead sponsor of a resolution discouraging Austin police from investigating allegations concerning abortion, said Monday he expects City Council to consider the resolution at a special meeting held the week of July 18. In addition to Vela, sponsors of the resolution so far include Mayor Steve Adler and Council […]