Tag Archives: Austin Police Department

Council Audit and Finance Committee hears updates on APD recruiting and hiring practices

On Wednesday, City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee heard a briefing on the Austin Police Department’s recruiting and hiring efforts. City leaders have been raising concerns about APD response times and staffing of sworn and non-sworn public safety employees for…

Police • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 18, 2025

Austin’s redemption arc: The embarrassing recent failures and hard-fought reforms in our city’s response to sexual assault

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The city of Austin has garnered national attention for its prior failures to investigate cases and support survivors in their healing and, more recently, for its survivor-led reforms. The Austin Monitor took…

Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 7, 2025

Staffing isn't the only thing to blame for Austin's slow 911 response times

When someone calls 911 for help in Austin, about 93 percent of those calls are answered within 15 seconds. But once those calls are answered, police, fire or EMS must then respond. And those public safety agencies are not responding…

Public Safety • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Apr 4, 2025

APD gets temporary extension of license plate reader program

The Austin Police Department’s use of automated license plate readers as an investigative tool will continue through June, City Council decided last week. Later this year, Council will determine whether to make the pilot program a permanent feature, depending on…

Police • By Amy Smith • Mar 31, 2025

APD publishes first annual sexual assault case review

The Austin Police Department has released its first annual review of cases investigated by the Sex Crimes Unit. The annual case review is one of several commitments APD has made as part of an ongoing, survivor-led effort to reform Austin’s…

Police • By Mina Shekarchi • Mar 21, 2025

Early data suggest opening Sixth Street to traffic has improved public safety

Early data from the Austin Police Department suggests that a new public safety initiative aimed at reducing crime and violence on East Sixth Street is yielding positive results. The changes, which took effect in December, reintroduced vehicular traffic on weekend…

Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 6, 2025

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Public Safety Commission 'concerned and excited' about progress from Office of Police Oversight

On Monday, the Public Safety Commission heard an update on the Office of Police Oversight’s implementation of the Police Oversight Act, as well as its vacancies and hiring processes. The OPO operates separately from the Austin Police Department, and its…

Police • By Mina Shekarchi • Mar 5, 2025

Austin opened up police misconduct files. Now, state lawmakers want to lock them back up.

A bill that’s making its way through the Texas Legislature could target Austin’s management of its police department. Now, Senate Bill 781, authored by Republican state Sen. Phil King, could undo years of litigation, a citywide referendum and countless hours of public…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Feb 27, 2025

SXSW, public safety leaders detail road closures and prep for festival season

The city plans to completely close or restrict more than 30 streets during the South by Southwest festival next month as part of safety planning for the event, a major economic driver for the area. The heads of all of…

Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 21, 2025

Public Safety Commission discusses and recommends improvements to data transparency on sex crimes

During the Public Safety Commission meeting on Monday, members took several small but hard-fought steps to improve Austin’s response to sexual assault. The commission discussed data related to sexual assault with presentations from the Austin Police Department, the SAFE Alliance…

Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 6, 2025

Austin is increasing security at city parks and greenbelts following string of car break-ins

After recent vehicle break-ins at parks and greenbelts, the city of Austin is looking to improve security. Each year, thousands of car breaks-in are reported in Austin. In 2024 alone, more than 8,200 cars were broken into, according to crime…

Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Feb 3, 2025

Council to consider a resolution to examine response to mental health-related 911 and 311 calls

One item on the hefty agenda for the first regular City Council meeting of 2025 will explore how the city responds to mental health-related incidents. This resolution, authored by Council Member Chito Vela, directs the city manager to prepare a…

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