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Public Safety

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…

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…

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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…

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…

Need for county mental health diversion center grows

Travis County’s mental and behavioral health diversion center is more than five years from opening and needed more every day, the Commissioners Court learned Tuesday.  With an epidemic of mental illness and an overcrowded Travis County Jail, commissioners said the…

Council hears of progress on resilience hubs, planning for winter weather emergencies

With the National Weather Service advising local leaders of the high likelihood of a significant ice event this winter, City Council received an extensive update on weather preparation efforts on Tuesday. The update from the Homeland Security and Emergency Management…

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County funds ambulance alternatives as call volumes remain high

With 911 call volumes still near pandemic records and EMS staff shortages limiting ambulance availability, the Travis County Commissioners Court agreed to spend more for ambulance alternatives. Commissioners voted Tuesday to increase the county’s share in the 2024 interlocal agreement…

Public Safety Commission encourages language accessibility across public safety agencies

The Public Safety Commission encouraged the city’s public safety agencies to continue efforts to improve language accessibility at its meeting on Monday.  “It seems … hugely important that we grow our fluency across all the departments,” said Chair Nelly Ramírez.…

Better Builder Program provides oversight for construction sites in Travis County

County construction site monitors have uncovered a range of safety violations – including a child operating heavy machinery, the Travis County Commissioners Court learned Tuesday.  While most issues found by monitors in the Travis County Better Builder Program are not…

The biggest moments from Austin police officer Christopher Taylor's murder trial so far

The second week of the murder trial of Austin police officer Christopher Taylor, who fatally shot Mike Ramos in 2020, starts today. Ramos’ shooting, along with George Floyd’s murder, sparked weeks of protests for racial justice that year. Police responded…

Public, private measures seen as key to increasing resilience against extreme weather, natural disasters

Local developers and planning leaders learned recently about the impacts that increasingly severe weather and natural disasters will have on their projects, and how public and private efforts can work together to reduce the damage. Among the areas of focus…

APD Training Academy audit shows improvement – but not enough to curb attrition

An external audit of the Austin Police Department’s 148th cadet class, which graduated in September, shows progress in “reimagining public safety,” but attrition remains a constant challenge. Under internal audit protocols developed by Kroll Associates in March 2022, APD is…

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