Categories: Breaking News

A title for the news article could be: Austin’s Downtown Safety Team to Double in Size


Austin’s Downtown Safety Team to Double in Size

Austin’s Downtown Safety Team to Double in Size

Starting July 1, residents and visitors to downtown Austin, Texas can look forward to an increased feeling of safety, as the city’s downtown safety team is set to double its current size, from three to six members. This move comes as part of a broader initiative to curb crime and maintain cleanliness in the downtown area.

Doubling Efforts for Safer Streets

Austin’s Downtown Ambassadors, who are popularly known for roles like picking up trash and tending to the cleanliness of streets and sidewalks, now have a bigger task ahead. This ranges from 6th street to Republic Square Park. The Downtown Austin Alliance, the umbrella body responsible for ensuring a clean and welcoming downtown, has acknowledged a pressing need to buttress safety measures in the region.

Over recent years, Austin Police Department’s resources have been stretched thin, causing lower-level offenses like Class C misdemeanors to often go unaddressed. This need for greater enforcement and vigilance has led to the inception of an expanded downtown safety team.

A Focus on Non-Emergency Crimes

The safety team members operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m in the downtown area, focusing on tackling non-emergency, Class C misdemeanors. One team member is also assigned to patrol Republic Square Park each night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

This initiative is a direct response to the growing need to address non-emergency crimes associated with homelessness, like public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and overnight illegal camping, particularly prevalent in Republic Square Park. The enforcement of these specific ordinances has been credited by the Downtown Austin Alliance for the successful reduction of such incidents.

Positive Impact and Further Expansion

In May, safety team members had 601 interactions with individuals in the park and Downtown Austin, requesting people to voluntarily comply with the ordinances. It was reported that as many as 81% of those requests were met with voluntary compliance from the individuals involved.

The doubling of the downtown safety team’s size is just one facet of the plan to bolster safety and cleanliness. The final phase of this initiative, set to commence this fall, will amplify these efforts by bringing even more staffing to the downtown area.

By ramping up both the visibility and action of its safety team, the City of Austin takes a confident step towards creating a safer, cleaner and more welcoming downtown area for both locals and visitors. The evasion of non-emergency offenses and the consideration for marginalized groups are taken into account to tackle existing issues and prevent them from escalating.


HERE Austin

Share
Published by
HERE Austin

Recent Posts

Austin-Based Fitness App Ladder Secures $15 Million in Funding to Fuel Growth

Austin Startup Ladder Gets $15 Million Boost for Fitness App Growth In the bustling startup…

20 hours ago

Austin’s Housing Crisis: Essential Workers Face Long Commutes and Affordability Challenges

Austin's Housing Crisis: Essential Workers Feeling the Brunt Ah, Austin! Known for its vibrant music…

20 hours ago

Austin Schools Make a Splash with Top Rankings for 2025

Austin Schools Shine Bright with Top Rankings for 2025 In the heart of Texas, Austin…

20 hours ago

Austin Man Faces Charges After Allegedly Threatening Church of Scientology with Bomb Attack

Austin Man Arrested for Alleged Bomb Threats Against Church of Scientology In the bustling city…

20 hours ago

Big News for Buda: US Foods Announces Major Expansion with $120 Million Investment and New Jobs

Big News for Buda: US Foods Announces Major Expansion! Hey Buda residents! Exciting news is…

20 hours ago

Austin Celebrates Release of 2024 Creative Workforce Report, Showcasing Thriving Arts Community

Austin's Creative Pulse Thrives with New Report Unveiling Austin, Texas — The vibrant city of…

20 hours ago