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Public Safety
Austin police pension fund facing trouble
The Austin Police Department’s retirement system is in considerable trouble, with actuaries predicting that the fund will run out of money within 50 years unless the city and the officers who are members of the system reach an agreement to…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Aug 28, 2019
Travis County agrees to take Hays County prisoners
Hays County has a prisoner problem, and it’s looking to its neighbor to the north, Travis County, for help. Hays is in the process of expanding its jail to house more inmates. In the meantime, it’s asked to send some…
Public Safety • By Jack Craver • Aug 28, 2019
The Provability Gap: Why sexual assault cases are so hard to prosecute in Austin
Austin had the highest number of rapes reported in large Texas cities in 2017. The rate of reported rapes that year was also nearly 40 percent higher than U.S. cities of similar size. The Travis County district attorney says law…
Public Safety • By Nadia Hamdan • Aug 26, 2019
Austin could fund 'logistical support' for low-income women seeking abortions
Four Austin City Council members want the city to help low-income women obtain abortions – without the city actually paying for the procedure. At the urging of local reproductive rights groups, Austin city leaders are working to set aside up…
Public Health • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Aug 20, 2019
Zoning and Platting Commission weighs in on proposed fire code
As Austin weathers the dog days of summer, wildfire risk is once again a hot topic in the city. A new report this week by the Office of the City Auditor said that the city could be doing a better…
Fire • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 20, 2019
Council members say audit on Austin's 'enormous' wildfire risk doesn't go far enough
Austin City Council members say they need a better look at where the city could be falling short in terms of its wildfire preparedness. A report out today from the Office of the City Auditor said the city is doing…
Public Safety • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 15, 2019
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Despite sparse data, county court moves forward on mental health jail diversion program
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to enter into an agreement with Integral Care, the local mental health authority, aimed at getting criminal defendants with serious mental health problems out of jail and into treatment. The agreement will expand…
Public Health • By Jack Craver • Aug 14, 2019
City continues to work toward Vision Zero goals
As of this past weekend, there have been 48 traffic fatalities in Austin since the beginning of the year. The city, according to an ambitious plan passed three years ago, would like to bring the number of annual traffic deaths…
Public Safety • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 13, 2019
AFD under fire for handling of sexual harassment claim despite policy updates
After Austin Fire Department Lieutenant James Baker pleaded guilty to hiding a camera and filming firefighter Kelly Gall in the fire station restroom, AFD revised its harassment policies and implemented the Electronic and Anonymous Reporting System. EARS is intended to…
Fire • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 9, 2019
Public Safety Commission recommends increased funding for mental health first responder program
The Austin Police Department is working to revamp its tactics when handling calls related to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Fulfilling that goal starts with training officers so they are equipped to help in these tense situations. Public Safety…
Police • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 8, 2019
A majority of Austin EMS personnel say assaults on the job are common and 'unavoidable'
A majority of Austin EMS personnel say they’ve been assaulted on the job in the last two years, according to an internal survey. Most first responders also say they don’t feel properly trained to address aggressive behavior. Austin-Travis County Emergency…
EMS • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 7, 2019
Two firefighters fired over 'theft' of exam
Fire Chief Joel Baker has fired two firefighters, Nicholas Schroeder and Anthony Stewart, who were attending classes on handling hazardous materials, after Schroeder allegedly stole a copy of the final exam and Stewart took photos of it. The class was…
