The Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council members will convene a special called meeting today amid growing concerns about the highly infectious Covid-19 Delta variant and a shortage of ICU beds. On Monday, Austin Public Health reported that Austin’s Trauma Service Area, which serves more than 2.3 million people, had just 10 staffed […]
Public Safety
Posted inPublic Health
Mayor, manager at odds over requiring vaccinations
On Wednesday, Mayor Steve Adler urged City Manager Spencer Cronk to require all city employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, with a few exceptions. His comments came in an emailed press release. A few hours later, a city spokesperson released the following statement by email: “The Governor’s Executive Order GA-35 prohibits the city from requiring […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public safety looms over city budget talks
The plea for more staff at Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services has reached City Council’s ears. The majority of Council members expressed a desire at Tuesday’s work session to increase that funding for next year, as requested by Selena Xie, EMS association president. However, that request, along with others, would probably fall by the wayside […]
Posted inPublic Health
County looks to expand jail-diversion programs
The Travis County Commissioners Court discussed the prospect Tuesday of expanding the scope of the Austin-Travis County Sobering Center to include aid (in the form of jail diversion) to those experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. Currently, the Sobering Center provides an alternative to jail for those charged with public intoxication. Since its launch in […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Downtown shootings bring plans to address violent crimes
Just over a month since a mass shooting incident on East Sixth Street killed one person and injured more than a dozen, the state of downtown safety is receiving special attention in a pair of public sessions offering differing views on causes and possible solutions to the problem. Last week the city’s Downtown Commission heard […]
Posted inPolice
Austin narrows down police chief candidates to seven finalists
The city of Austin has narrowed the pool of candidates for police chief down to seven. The finalists are: Joseph Chacon, interim Austin police chief since former Chief Brian Manley retired in March Anne Kirkpatrick, former police chief, Oakland, Calif. Avery Moore, assistant police chief, Dallas Celeste Murphy, deputy police chief, Atlanta Mirtha Ramos, police chief, […]
Posted inPolice
Austin announces new policy to release video footage of police shootings within 10 business days
The Austin Police Department says it will try to release video footage of incidents where police seriously injure or kill someone more quickly than in the past. Previously, the department’s policy was to release this footage within 60 days; the new policy announced Friday shortens that to 10 business days. “I truly believe that it’s […]
Posted inPolice
Council members seek better system to help troubled officers
In response to an audit that found Austin Police Department is using an outdated system to identify police officers in need of help, interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon told the City Council Audit & Finance Committee Wednesday that while his department is aware of the problems with its Guidance Advisory Program, or GAP, that does […]
Posted inPolice
Audit finds APD failing officers who need help
The Austin Police Department’s system for identifying officers in need of help and connecting them with support or wellness services is failing both the officers and the department, according to an audit released Tuesday. The audit, which was conducted by the Office of the City Auditor, found that the early intervention system used by APD […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin health officials recommend masking up indoors as Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations spike
Austin Public Health is recommending everyone – including those who are vaccinated – wear a face covering indoors as Covid-19 cases continue rising in Austin and Travis County. Local Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes told a joint session of Travis County commissioners and Austin City Council members on Tuesday that hospitalizations are up among all […]
Posted inEMS
EMS leader recounts medics’ harrowing week during freeze
First responders are still in recovery mode as they plan for the next severe weather event, such as the freeze that gripped Austin in mid-February, and any other unforeseen disaster that may occur. “Our medics’ stories should be heard,” Austin EMS Association President Selena Xie told the City Council’s Public Safety Committee on Monday, providing […]
Posted inEMS
Fire/EMS station construction on pace despite pandemic
In 2017, a service needs analysis of the Austin Fire Department led to the City Council-sanctioned creation of a six-year plan to construct and staff five fire/EMS stations in the areas of most need: Del Valle/Moore’s Crossing, Travis Country, Loop 360/Davenport, Goodnight Ranch and Canyon Creek/620. Last week, Richard Mendoza, the director of Public Works, […]