Stories by Mina Shekarchi
Austin’s fight against gun violence: A public health-based strategy in uncertain times
Three years after the tragedy in Uvalde, Austin is doubling down on a different approach to gun violence: treating it like a public health crisis. With the third anniversary of the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24 and an…
Public Health • By Mina Shekarchi • May 30, 2025
External review finds data inconsistencies in APD reporting on use of force
During a special called meeting of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, Dr. Robin Engel, a Senior Research Scientist at The Ohio State University, presented findings from a recent re-examination of the Austin Police Department’s use of force. Engel said…
Police • By Mina Shekarchi • May 22, 2025
Zero Waste Advisory Commission discusses rate changes and projects
Austin’s Zero Waste Advisory Commission (ZWAC) met on May 14 where appointees heard a five-year financial forecast for Austin Resource Recovery and a report on the utility’s current projects. May is typically when city staff present their departmental financial forecasts…
Resources • By Mina Shekarchi • May 16, 2025
Public Safety Commission discusses firefighter cancer prevention, quarterly Fire Department update, and bylaws
On Monday, the Public Safety Commission (PSC) heard a quarterly report from the Austin Fire Department and discussed initiatives related to firefighter cancer prevention. The commission also conducted business related to their internal Austin Police Department (APD) Training Academy Working…
Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • May 8, 2025
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City and county officials kick off Wildfire Awareness Month
As Austin/Travis County heads into another scorching hot wildfire season, city and county leaders are sharing updates on community-wide preparedness efforts and emphasizing how individual Austinites can do their part. Local officials held a press conference on Tuesday to kick…
Fire • By Mina Shekarchi • May 1, 2025
City releases 'State of the Environment' report
The City of Austin released its annual State of the Environment Report on Earth Day, providing an update on Austin’s air and water quality, urban forest, parkland, and climate resilience in 2024. The city’s environmental officer is tasked with compiling…
Environment • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 25, 2025
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Council Audit and Finance Committee hears updates on APD recruiting and hiring practices
On Wednesday, City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee heard a briefing on the Austin Police Department’s recruiting and hiring efforts. City leaders have been raising concerns about APD response times and staffing of sworn and non-sworn public safety employees for…
Police • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 18, 2025
Public Safety Commission hears updates on APD staffing, wildfire readiness and EMS simulation lab
On Monday, the Public Safety Commission heard a quarterly report from the Austin Police Department, an update on wildfire readiness from the Austin Fire Department, a briefing on the Austin-Travis County EMS Simulation Lab, plus an update on the 2026…
Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 9, 2025
Austin’s redemption arc: The embarrassing recent failures and hard-fought reforms in our city’s response to sexual assault
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The city of Austin has garnered national attention for its prior failures to investigate cases and support survivors in their healing and, more recently, for its survivor-led reforms. The Austin Monitor took…
Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 7, 2025
City Council expected to implement requirements for residential air conditioning
The city is revising its technical building codes. As part of this process, City Council is slated to adopt changes to Austin’s version of the International Property Maintenance Code on April 10. Most notably, these changes will include a requirement…
City Council • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 4, 2025
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
City Council approves phase two of 'site plan lite'
City Council has passed phase two of “site plan lite” – an ordinance amending development regulations for residential re-subdivisions and multifamily residential site developments of five to 16 units. The final version of the ordinance was passed with five amendments…
