Downtown Austin Expands Safety Team for Community Well-Being

News Summary

The Downtown Austin Alliance is enhancing safety measures in downtown Austin with an expanded safety team. The initiative aims to address community concerns amid declining resources in the Austin Police Department. The team will focus on non-emergency issues while maintaining a visible presence, engaging with the public, and contributing to a safer environment for all residents and visitors.

Downtown Austin Gets a Safety Team Boost

Hey there, Austin! Exciting news from your wonderful city! The Downtown Austin Alliance is kicking it up a notch when it comes to safety in our vibrant downtown area. Starting next week, they’re expanding their downtown safety team, and it’s all aimed at making sure everyone feels safe and welcome while exploring the heart of our beloved city.

Why the Need for More Safety?

While Austin is known for its lively atmosphere, the need for improved safety has been on many people’s minds lately. With resources declining in the Austin Police Department, it’s no wonder the DAA is stepping up to take action. The **downtown safety team** has already gained a track record of success, and now they’re ready to make an even bigger impact.

What Do the Downtown Ambassadors Do?

Currently, the **Downtown Ambassadors** have been a visible presence in our town, engaging in essential tasks like trash collection and street cleaning between 6th Street and Republic Square Park. They play a vital role in keeping our city looking good while also addressing safety concerns. Starting next week, they’ll be out in full force, with a focus on keeping the streets safe for everyone.

Round-the-Clock Patrols

So what does this expanded safety team look like? Two members will patrol downtown from the early hours of 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., making sure the area stays pleasant and secure. Plus, there will be one dedicated safety team member stationed at Republic Square Park every night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. This extended coverage means even more eyes on the streets!

Addressing Community Needs

Part of the safety team’s mission is to tackle non-emergency issues like Class C misdemeanors, while also lending a hand to individuals living on the streets. Concerns in Republic Square Park have included property crimes, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and illegal overnight camping. Luckily, the team has already seen positive results, with the enforcement of an ordinance closing the park during the late night leading to a noticeable drop in crime.

Positive Interactions

In May, the safety team recorded over 601 interactions with the public and successfully encouraged compliance with requests around 81% of the time. That’s a number to celebrate! The DAA is already planning to double the size of the safety team from three to six members starting on July 1, and by October, they aim to ramp it up to a total of 23 safety ambassadors.

What About the Austin Police Department?

With issues of significant understaffing in the APD, it hasn’t been easy for police to maintain an active presence downtown. The DAA safety team consists of non-police members, but they work closely with the APD and wear easily recognizable black and yellow uniforms. The main objective is to handle low-level violations in a non-confrontational way instead of relying solely on arrests.

A Helping Hand Before Calling 911

For residents and visitors in Austin, you can turn to the DAA for help in non-violent situations instead of automatically reaching for 911. Their system has been set up to provide assistance without overwhelming our already busy police department. Every month, a report is sent to APD detailing the safety team’s respond and interactions. This cooperative effort aims to keep our city clean, safe, and serene.

A Community-Focused Approach

The expansion of the DAA safety program comes in direct response to Austin community members expressing their needs for addressing low-level quality-of-life concerns during a time when police staffing has been a struggle. It’s all about maintaining that incredible spirit of Austin while making sure that our downtown area continues to be a place where everyone can enjoy everything our city has to offer.

So as things heat up this summer, it looks like Downtown Austin is set to blossom into a safer, cleaner, and even more welcoming environment for all. Cheers to that!