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Public Safety
Requests for abortion pills surged amid threats to reproductive rights, UT-based study shows
Advance requests for abortion medication surged when the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, a new study has found. The study in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at requests for the abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol from the telemedicine service…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Jan 8, 2024
Report: APD investigated 47 out of 689 complaints against its officers
Austinites voted overwhelmingly last year to expand the Office of Police Oversight’s authority. Implementing the Austin Police Oversight Act, however, has proven challenging. The office recently faced criticism from the Public Safety Commission over its lack of progress on this…
Police • By Emma Freer • Dec 22, 2023
Austin police officer indicted for fatally shooting tech entrepreneur Raj Moonesinghe in 2022
A Travis County grand jury indicted an Austin police officer for fatally shooting a South Austin man while on duty last year. Daniel Sanchez was indicted on a count of deadly conduct for killing 33-year-old Raj Moonesinghe in November 2022.…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 21, 2023
Three Council members call for Middle East cease-fire
Responding to calls from the community seeking a City Council resolution supporting a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, Council members Vanessa Fuentes, Zo Qadri and José Velásquez released a statement Thursday calling for peace. The statement reads: “Whether it be…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 15, 2023
Police union leadership says oversight lawsuit further stalls labor contract negotiations
After nearly a year without a police labor contract, city leadership has signaled its hope for – and taken steps toward – a new agreement in early 2024. But incoming Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock says recent developments, including…
Police • By Emma Freer • Dec 15, 2023
Renewed cooperation eliminates backlog of sexual assault evidence kits
After years of discord, the team created to improve Travis County’s response to sexual assault is back to collaborating, team members told the Commissioners Court Tuesday, and a backlog of untested evidence kits has been processed. Spurred by state law…
Police • By Ken Chambers • Dec 15, 2023
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Austin hasn't allowed more police oversight, despite voter approval. Now it's getting sued.
A lawsuit in a Travis County court aims to force Austin’s hand in rolling out a voter-backed plan to increase police oversight. Austin voters approved Proposition A in May by a four-to-one margin. The measure, known as the Austin Police Oversight Act, roundly…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 11, 2023
County emphasizes winter safety awareness
As Travis County officials detailed plans and preparations for the next big winter storm, some said that the public might not be taking the threat seriously enough. On Tuesday, leaders from the Office of Emergency Management, Transportation and Natural Resources,…
Public Safety • By Ken Chambers • Dec 8, 2023
Public Safety Commission pushes for full implementation of police oversight measures
The Public Safety Commission chided the Office of Police Oversight for its lack of communication and progress regarding the implementation of the Austin Police Oversight Act and a related ordinance enacting some of the act’s provisions. “It’s now December, and…
Police • By Emma Freer • Dec 6, 2023
Travis County dismisses charges against APD officers who used beanbag rounds in 2020 protests
The Travis County district attorney has dropped assault charges against 17 Austin police officers who used so-called “less lethal” beanbag rounds over a weekend of racial justice protests in 2020. District Attorney José Garza pursued charges against 21 officers after several Austinites…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 5, 2023
Data collection issues threaten initiative to prevent gun violence
A disconnect between the Austin Police Department and a criminal justice reform organization could delay a new violence reduction initiative, Travis County officials said Tuesday. The glitch came to light Tuesday during a progress report to the Travis County Commissioners…
Public Safety • By Ken Chambers • Dec 4, 2023
Council to consider public safety stations as community benefit eligible for density bonuses
City Council will consider adding public safety space – like fire, police and EMS stations – as a community benefit eligible for density bonus programs and planned unit developments (PUD) at its meeting on Thursday. District 6 Council Member Mackenzie…
