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Public Safety
APD still years away from clearing DNA backlog
Austin’s Public Safety Commission gave mixed reviews to the Austin Police Department’s attempts to recover from the shutdown of its DNA lab and its backlog of thousands of untested rape kits. At its meeting on Monday, the commission responded favorably…
Public Safety • By Cate Malek • Feb 7, 2017
Medical school outlines spending, outreach for care in eastern 'Austin crescent'
With Travis County putting more scrutiny on one of the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas’ largest financial contributors – specifically Central Health and the $35 million in taxpayer dollars it provides the school annually – leaders of…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 31, 2017
Austin Monitor Radio: Austin/Travis County Central Health
Travis County Central Health president and CEO Patricia Young Brown joins Austin Monitor reporter Caleb Pritchard to chat about her organization, the University of Texas Dell Medical School and the organizations’ role in the community. Post is embedded below.
Public Health • By Caleb Pritchard • Dec 19, 2016
Travis County Commissioners consider spending up to $14 million on legal review of DNA cases
The Travis County Commissioners Court considered options for how to handle a review of criminal cases potentially compromised by the local DNA lab. Run by the Austin Police Department, the lab shuttered its doors in June following an audit from…
Public Safety • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Dec 14, 2016
Commissioners Court considers next steps in DNA lab catastrophe
The Travis County Commissioners Court is moving forward with its version of damage control in the wake of revelations about the Austin Police Department’s DNA testing lab. On Tuesday, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt explained to the court how her plans…
Public Safety • By Caleb Pritchard • Dec 7, 2016
APD updates commission on DNA backlog
The Austin Police Department hopes to have the backlog of sexual assault kits eliminated within the next year, Assistant Chief Troy Gay told the Public Safety Commission on Monday. APD will soon begin sending 100 batches of evidence every two…
Police • By Jack Craver • Dec 6, 2016
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Medical school seeks solutions to boost community health
The Dell Medical School is on the lookout for ideas big and small that may improve the health of Austin’s vulnerable communities concentrated in East Austin. The school’s Center for Place-Based Initiatives (CPBI) put out the call for ideas and…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 6, 2016
Austin Monitor Radio: Travis County Sheriff-elect Sally Hernandez
Incoming Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez joins Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to chat about her goals for the office, including those that cover its immigration policy. Show is embedded below.
Police • By Michael Kanin • Dec 5, 2016
Council approves Manley to head police department
City Council voted unanimously Thursday to hire Brian Manley, the chief of staff to outgoing Police Chief Art Acevedo, to be the Austin Police Department’s interim chief. Manley said he was “honored, proud and humbled” by both Council’s support and…
Police • By Jack Craver • Dec 2, 2016
Little known on when public safety contract negotiations will start
Two of the city’s three public safety unions are willing to consider a one-year extension of their contracts with the city – but it might not be as simple as giving the go-ahead. Although negotiations for new contracts are set…
Public Safety • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Nov 23, 2016
Sheriff's Office works to recruit more women
This month, voters elected the second woman in history to serve as Travis County sheriff. Now, the department is working to recruit more female deputies and corrections officers to its ranks. Tracy Westbrook never saw herself working as a police…
Public Safety • By Syeda Hasan • Nov 22, 2016
Austin Monitor Radio: Safeplace and troubles with APD's DNA lab
Safeplace Director of Community Advocacy Emily LeBlanc joins Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to chat about her work and issues surrounding Austin’s criminal DNA processing. Show is embedded below: This post has been updated to include Emily LeBlanc’s name.
