Public Safety
Monday, February 24, 2020 by Chad Swiatecki
Police
Seeking increased safety, Downtown Commission asks city to fully staff APD
The Downtown Commission has asked City Council to increase staffing levels for the Austin Police Department in the next budget year, while adding more public video cameras and lighting to busy pedestrian areas.The unanimously approved resolution came at last week’s…
Friday, February 14, 2020 by Ashley Lopez
Health & Human Services
Austinites are not at higher risk of getting coronavirus after first confirmed case in Texas
Austin health officials say the threat of coronavirus has not gotten any worse now that the first case has been confirmed in Texas.Dr. Mark Escott, the interim medical director of Austin Public Health, said there is “virtually a zero-percent chance”…
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 by Jessi Devenyns
Fire
Austin firefighters look to California to combat wildfire risk
Outside of California, the Austin metro area is one of the regions in the country most vulnerable to wildfire. According to CoreLogic’s 2019 Wildfire Risk Report, the metropolitan area has the fifth-highest risk in the nation for a major wildfire…
Monday, February 10, 2020 by Jessi Devenyns
EMS
Austin EMS union outlines effects of high call volume and sick leave policies
In recent months, Austin Emergency Medical Services has implemented new policies to improve the lives of its medics. The department has adjusted its start times to be on a more natural wake-up schedule and has instated a new code for…
Friday, February 7, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Police
Cronk promises new body cam video policy soon
What started out as a routine approval of an amendment for a large contract for police body cameras and Tasers turned into a discussion about the city’s new policy on releasing body cam footage at Thursday’s Council meeting.With the exception…
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 by Jessi Devenyns
Police
Community reacts to APD racial profiling study at Public Safety Commission
Last week, a report from the city’s Office of Police Oversight, Office of Innovation, and Equity Office showed that black and Hispanic drivers are more likely to be stopped in their vehicles by Austin police than white and Asian drivers.…
