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Public Safety
Advocates urge more assistance for sexual assault victims
A backlog of evidence going back to the 1990s is not the only major challenge the Austin Police Department has faced in prosecuting sex crimes and helping survivors of sexual assault heal. Advocates for survivors have also said the sex…
Police • By Jack Craver • Dec 19, 2017
By outsourcing, APD has made major progress on sex assault kit backlog
The Austin Police Department’s embarrassing backlog of sexual assault kits will hopefully soon be a thing of the past. APD told members of the Public Safety Commission Monday that there are 856 kits from the backlog left to be analyzed,…
Police • By Jack Craver • Dec 12, 2017
Public Safety Commission endorses police union contract
Rejecting the pleas of police accountability activists, the Public Safety Commission voted Monday night to recommend the approval of the proposed new union contract between the city of Austin and the Austin Police Association. Both Police Chief Brian Manley and…
Police • By Jack Craver • Dec 5, 2017
Commission fails to endorse police contract
Citing a lack of information, the Public Safety Commission on Monday declined to endorse the union contract recently hammered out between the Austin Police Association and city labor negotiators. In addition to concerns expressed by some commissioners about shortcomings of…
Police • By Jack Craver • Nov 7, 2017
City, EMS labor negotiations likely to continue
Even though its negotiating team declared an impasse with the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Employee Association last week, City Council appears prepared to direct staff to resume negotiations, but not immediately. Council members Ann Kitchen, Delia Garza, Leslie Pool…
EMS • By Jo Clifton • Nov 7, 2017
As talks end, EMS union, city at stalemate
Unlike the unions for police officers and firefighters, the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Employee Association could not reach an agreement with city of Austin management on Monday. Employees will continue to work under civil service rules, but there is…
EMS • By Jo Clifton • Nov 2, 2017
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Police contract with city heads to vote
If an agreement finalized between the city and the Austin Police Association on Tuesday is adopted, the Office of the Police Monitor will have more power to investigate allegations of police misconduct and Austin police will get a 9.5 percent…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Oct 25, 2017
New rules for Central Health don't satisfy critics
The Travis County Commissioners Court has concluded another chapter in the extended controversy over Central Health, but one of the hospital district’s lead critics says he is not ready to quit. On Tuesday, the court amended the district’s financial policy…
Public Health • By Caleb Pritchard • Oct 18, 2017
Travis County sheriff responds to community outcry after 'sanctuary' policy reversal
At a town hall meeting on Monday organized by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez faced a crowd of immigrant rights advocates, service providers and undocumented community members, many of whom expressed disbelief at her Sept.…
Public Safety • By Joseph Caterine • Oct 11, 2017
Police chief describes new community policing focus
The Austin Police Department is no longer recruiting new officers by promising them an action-packed thrill ride. In a presentation to City Council members on Tuesday, Interim Police Chief Brian Manley described the video that the department used as part…
Police • By Jack Craver • Oct 4, 2017
Firefighters union touts increased diversity
Austin is far from having a fire department that reflects the diversity of the city, but it’s made significant strides since the U.S. Department of Justice sued the Austin Fire Department over its hiring practices. Days after clashing with a…
Fire • By Jack Craver • Oct 3, 2017
Med school seeks more ideas in helping distressed residents' health
The Dell Medical School at the University of Texas is making another attempt to solicit ideas from Austin residents about how to address chronic and sometimes hidden health problems throughout the city. The school’s Center For Place-Based Initiatives announced its…
