Media Statement “The Central Texas Public Safety Commission is encouraged by the proposed fiscal year 2020 budget that includes 30 more police officers as part of a four-year staffing plan, 32 firefighters for a new Del Valle station and 12 paramedics. We commend City Manager Spencer Cronk for his commitment to the community’s priorities and… Read more »
Warning signs show Austin is falling further behind when it comes to public safety resources. Despite increases in auto theft and homicides, lagging emergency response times, population growth, and the recommendations of taxpayer-funded staffing studies, the Austin Police Department is hundreds of officers short. Click HERE to join the Neighborhood Network and urge city leaders… Read more »
By Dewitt Peart, Pete Winstead and Brian Cassidy – Special to the American-Statesman Updated: 5:07 p.m. Tuesday, June 04, 2019 Austin is normally a civically engaged city. Lengthy, meaningful and inclusive opportunities for community input routinely occur before votes of the City Council. So, what we face this month is definitely not normal. The City Council… Read more »
Police staffing plan recommends 56 new officers in 2019, but an early budget proposal includes funding for only 15 cops AUSTIN, Texas – The Central Texas Public Safety Commission expressed alarm today that an early city budget proposal adds only 15 police officers, despite a five-year staffing plan that recommends 56 more positions in 2019. City Manager… Read more »
Business, community and faith leaders praise interim chief’s experience and leadership AUSTIN, TEXAS — April 30, 2018 — The Central Texas Public Safety Commission announced its support today for City Manager Spencer Cronk’s decision to name Brian Manley as the finalist for chief of the Austin Police Department. Manley has served as interim chief of… Read more »
By Elizabeth Christian and David L. Roche – Special to the American-Statesman Updated: 5:18 p.m. Wednesday, September 06, 2017 The Austin City Council thinks we’re safe enough. Otherwise, how do you explain a reduction in public safety spending as a percentage of the city’s budget next year? Despite population growth, increases in violent crime, emergency… Read more »
Since 2012, three Austin Police Department staffing studies have recommended adding patrol positions. Copies of the reports (2012 PERF, 2015 GACC, and 2016 Matrix) and a transcript of the 2016 Matrix Group presentation to the Austin City Council are available below. A complete copy of the 2016 Matrix analysis and recommendations (12MB) is available here. 2012 PERF… Read more »
Respondents want improved response times, decreased criminal activity and more community policing AUSTIN, TEXAS — May 16, 2017 — A majority of likely Austin voters believe that increasing the number of police officers on Austin streets would improve overall public safety. A survey sponsored by the Central Texas Public Safety Commission found 75 percent of respondents… Read more »
AUSTIN, TEXAS — July 29, 2016 — As work begins on next year’s municipal budget, the Central Texas Public Safety Commission issued a challenge to the Austin City Council to fund public safety first and called for the release of the latest taxpayer-funded community policing study. “We urge the mayor and council not to disregard… Read more »
By David L. Roche – Special to the American-Statesman Posted: 11:51 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 The Dallas shootings are a stark reminder of the risks police officers face every day to keep us safe. Our dedicated public safety professionals deserve the support of a thankful community and the resources to do their jobs. As… Read more »