Tag Archives: Austin Police Department

APD publishes first annual sexual assault case review

The Austin Police Department has released its first annual review of cases investigated by the Sex Crimes Unit. The annual case review is one of several commitments APD has made as part of an ongoing, survivor-led effort to reform Austin’s…

Police • By Mina Shekarchi • Mar 21, 2025

Early data suggest opening Sixth Street to traffic has improved public safety

Early data from the Austin Police Department suggests that a new public safety initiative aimed at reducing crime and violence on East Sixth Street is yielding positive results. The changes, which took effect in December, reintroduced vehicular traffic on weekend…

Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 6, 2025

Public Safety Commission 'concerned and excited' about progress from Office of Police Oversight

On Monday, the Public Safety Commission heard an update on the Office of Police Oversight’s implementation of the Police Oversight Act, as well as its vacancies and hiring processes. The OPO operates separately from the Austin Police Department, and its…

Police • By Mina Shekarchi • Mar 5, 2025

Austin opened up police misconduct files. Now, state lawmakers want to lock them back up.

A bill that’s making its way through the Texas Legislature could target Austin’s management of its police department. Now, Senate Bill 781, authored by Republican state Sen. Phil King, could undo years of litigation, a citywide referendum and countless hours of public…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Feb 27, 2025

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SXSW, public safety leaders detail road closures and prep for festival season

The city plans to completely close or restrict more than 30 streets during the South by Southwest festival next month as part of safety planning for the event, a major economic driver for the area. The heads of all of…

Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 21, 2025

Public Safety Commission discusses and recommends improvements to data transparency on sex crimes

During the Public Safety Commission meeting on Monday, members took several small but hard-fought steps to improve Austin’s response to sexual assault. The commission discussed data related to sexual assault with presentations from the Austin Police Department, the SAFE Alliance…

Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 6, 2025

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Austin is increasing security at city parks and greenbelts following string of car break-ins

After recent vehicle break-ins at parks and greenbelts, the city of Austin is looking to improve security. Each year, thousands of car breaks-in are reported in Austin. In 2024 alone, more than 8,200 cars were broken into, according to crime…

Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Feb 3, 2025

Council to consider a resolution to examine response to mental health-related 911 and 311 calls

One item on the hefty agenda for the first regular City Council meeting of 2025 will explore how the city responds to mental health-related incidents. This resolution, authored by Council Member Chito Vela, directs the city manager to prepare a…

Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Jan 30, 2025

Advocates urge immigrants in Austin to plan – but not panic – over new Trump orders

Advocates say President Donald Trump’s immediate actions on immigration have created a climate of fear among immigrant communities in Austin. On his first day in office, Trump signed more than 200 executive orders, many related to immigration, and issued a policy allowing…

Public Safety • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jan 27, 2025

Downtown Commissioners weigh in on Sixth Street plan

Hours after the announcement that Austin will be opening Sixth Street to vehicular traffic on weekend nights, the Downtown Commission had a chance to weigh in. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis and APD Lieutenant Christopher Juusola, who is the downtown…

Public Safety • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 17, 2025

Dirty no more? City opts to keep Sixth Street open to traffic at all times

Beginning this weekend, the city will keep Sixth Street open to vehicular traffic on weekends, a substantial departure from decades of street closures designed to accommodate nightlife culture that saw thousands of pedestrians gather in the roadway while moving among…

Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 16, 2025

Office of Violence Prevention applies public health tenets to help reduce violent crime

Two years ago, following a spate of violent incidents at Givens District Park, the city’s Office of Violence Prevention took action to better understand what was driving crime at the historically significant East Austin park. The OVP partnered with the…

Public Safety • By Amy Smith • Jan 10, 2025