Public Safety
Thursday, July 29, 2021 by Jo Clifton
Health & Human Services
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…
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 by Jo Clifton
Public 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,…
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 by Seth Smalley
Health & Human Services
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…
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 by Chad Swiatecki
Public 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…
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 by Alejandro Martínez-Cabrera, KUT
Police
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…
Monday, July 26, 2021 by Audrey McGlinchy, KUT
Police
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…
