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Public Safety
Travis County Diversion Center moves forward
The Travis County jail system is the single largest mental health care provider in the county area, and arrests across all categories have been rising since 2021. Since 2023, the Travis County Commissioners Court – in an effort spearheaded by…
Public Safety • By Nick Erichson • Apr 17, 2024
AFD narrows its wildfire preparedness focus on Eastern Crescent
Ahead of national Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 4, the Public Safety Commission this week heard an update on how Austin is faring with its own community readiness efforts. The good news is that Austin leads the state in…
Fire • By Amy Smith • Apr 4, 2024
Report finds mixed progress in APD’s work to implement police academy reforms
In assessing the latest analysis of the Austin Police Department’s Training Academy, members of City Council stressed the importance of a comprehensive audit system to ensure that years and money spent to improve the academy aren’t wasted. Concerns over the…
Police • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 27, 2024
Austin still looking for more 911 call takers
Austin’s 911 call takers are regularly asked to take on a high call volume, but the Austin Police Department does not have a regular process for expediting call taking when the volume reaches higher-than-normal levels, according to a special report…
Public Safety • By Jo Clifton • Mar 19, 2024
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City, police union resume bargaining over long-term police labor contract
After more than a yearlong hiatus, the city and the Austin Police Association (APA) resumed long-term police labor contract negotiations on Wednesday. But it remains to be seen whether the two bargaining teams will be able to reach an agreement…
Police • By Emma Freer • Mar 15, 2024
APD settles another use-of-force case from 2020
The city of Austin has settled another case involving use of force against a citizen during the August 2020 protests against police violence. According to a news release from the Kaplan law firm, city officials agreed to and have paid…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Mar 15, 2024
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Central Health to spend millions on opioid abatement
Central Health, Travis County’s hospital district serving low-income residents, is due to receive over $3 million from the state’s opioid abatement trust fund this spring. An allocation of nearly $10 million more – largely “front-loaded” – will be disbursed over…
Public Health • By Nick Erichson • Mar 14, 2024
Considering a community-first approach to public safety and crime prevention
Criminal justice leaders at the state and federal levels see benefits in changing the idea of public safety in the U.S. to promote community intervention and public health approaches to problems like gun violence as well as most nonviolent crimes.…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 13, 2024
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Plumbing problems could cost the county $4 million
On Tuesday, a coalition of Travis County staff appeared before the Commissioners Court requesting funding for a derelict section of plumbing in the Travis County Jail. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office and Travis County Planning and Budget Office requested $150,000…
Public Safety • By Nick Erichson • Mar 12, 2024
Travis County declares local disaster ahead of April 8 total solar eclipse
Lee esta historia en español Travis County declared a local disaster on Friday ahead of the April 8 total solar eclipse. The eclipse is expected to bring an influx of people to the area, putting a major strain on roads, emergency…
Public Safety • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Mar 11, 2024
Questions abound over pilot program for mental health diversion
As City Council is set to consider authorizing negotiations on a contract that would include allocating $2 million for a mental health diversion pilot program, a lot of questions remain unanswered. On Tuesday, Mayor Kirk Watson started the work session…
Public Health • By Jo Clifton • Feb 14, 2024
Partners unite in fight against opioid epidemic
On Thursday, the city of Austin, Central Health and community partners delivered presentations to the Travis County Commissioners Court addressing ongoing opioid crisis abatement measures in the greater Austin area. At present, major interventions include the distribution of naloxone (a…
Public Health • By Nick Erichson • Feb 13, 2024
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