City hires program manager for the Office of Violence Prevention

Michelle Myles will be Austin’s Office of Violence Prevention program manager. In the brand-new position, Myles will take the lead on policy and community safety strategies in the city. “I’m very excited to continue my work with Austin Public Health leading the Office of Violence Prevention,” Myles said in a statement to the press. “Throughout my career, I have been passionate about working to heal and prevent trauma, violence and abuse. The prevalence of violence, like other societal ills, exists in part due to a historical lack of investment in certain segments of our population; as a result, addressing violence through an equity and public health lens is integral to developing meaningful solutions that improve the lives of individuals and our community.” Myles has previously worked for Austin Public Health, Downtown Austin Community Court and Foundation Communities. The city’s Task Force on Gun Violence paved the way with its recommendation to create the new office, which will be part of Austin Public Health and is part the ongoing effort to “reimagine public safety” by distributing issues once solely under the purview of the Police Department across city departments. “We look forward to incorporating Austin Public Health into our overall plan to address gun violence within our community,” interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said. “The health and safety of our residents and officers are our priority.”