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Public Safety
Community Police Review Commission convenes
Austin’s new Community Police Review Commission kicked off its inaugural meeting the first week of October, setting guidelines for its activities and discussing how it can help city officials develop more transparent and effective public safety processes. The commission, which will…
Police • By Tara Phipps • Nov 2, 2020
Anticipating election protests, Council members ask Austin police how they plan to avoid injuries
Four City Council members sent a letter Thursday to the chief of police asking him to explain how he plans to keep protesters safe during anticipated demonstrations following the results of the presidential election next week. “As we’re sure you…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Oct 30, 2020
Austin's top doctor warns November Covid surge could be worse and last longer than the first
There is a 100 percent probability that the coronavirus epidemic is growing in the Austin metro area, according to modeling from the University of Texas Modeling Consortium. As other areas across Texas – most notably El Paso – experience new…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Oct 28, 2020
City prepares to implement new Wildland-Urban Interface fire code
Austin Fire Department officials gave the Environmental Commission an update on the new Wildland-Urban Interface Code Wednesday. City Council voted in April to adopt the new code, which regulates residential and commercial building requirements to protect structures against wildfires. With the…
Fire • By Daniel Salazar • Oct 27, 2020
Austin Public Health launches coalition to prepare for future Covid-19 vaccine distribution
Austin Public Health is gearing up for when a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available. The health authority announced Friday the launch of the Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Coalition, a group of health care and community partners that will help APH develop strategies…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Oct 26, 2020
Austin Public Health official says there's a 96% chance the Covid-19 epidemic is growing in the area
Austin’s top doctor said Wednesday there’s a 96 percent chance the Covid-19 epidemic is growing in the area, up from about 90 percent the day before. “This is not an Election Day gimmick. This is real,” Dr. Mark Escott, interim…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Oct 22, 2020
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Austin protester sues officer for shooting him in the face with 'less-lethal' round
An Austinite who was shot by a police officer with a so-called less-lethal shotgun round during a protest this summer is suing the officer and the Austin Police Department in federal court. A federal civil rights lawsuit filed Tuesday on…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 21, 2020
Mike Ramos' mother asks Austin police chief whether he'll fire officer who killed her son
The mother of Mike Ramos, a Black and Latino man who was shot and killed by an Austin police officer in April, is calling on the department to act on investigations into the officer. At a press conference Wednesday, Brenda…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 16, 2020
Austin's DNA lab has had issues for years. A new report outlines how it could be run in the future.
Poor supervision and untrained staff have long plagued the Austin Police Department’s DNA crime lab, forcing it to close briefly in 2016 and then be overseen by the state. So, what will a future lab look like? Consultants hired by…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Oct 8, 2020
Group begins collecting signatures to put state law limiting police oversight to a vote
A new political action committee is trying to put a state law governing police oversight on the ballot next May. “I think it’s really unique and kind of amazing that (this petition could) allow the voters in Austin to decide…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Oct 7, 2020
Assistant chief talks APD headquarters
The movement for racial justice combined with the Covid-19 pandemic may be reshaping the future of the Austin Police Department and the use of the department’s headquarters at 715 E. Eighth St. While the conversation about reimagining the headquarters grew…
Police • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 6, 2020
Public Safety Committee examines the use of police time, asks for more data
As the city of Austin looks into redefining the duties of its police department, staffers are reaching out to community members to hear feedback about what the next iteration of the Austin Police Department could look like. Simultaneously, city staff are…
