AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Officials say one Austin Police officer was injured and several law enforcement vehicles were damaged Saturday night and early Sunday morning in a series of "street racing" incidents across the city, which some witnesses on social media described as "chaos."
One of the largest scenes was at the intersection of South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road between 9 and 10 p.m. Saturday night. APD, in a release Sunday afternoon, said other incidents were reported at I-35 and U.S. 183, Berkman Drive and Barbara Jordan Boulevard, and Metric Boulevard and Braker Lane, with officers finally dispersing the last crowd from Metric & Braker just before 2 a.m. Sunday morning.
Travis County Sheriff's officials say two TCSO vehicles were also damaged in a separate incident along Howard Lane in Pflugerville.
A series of videos being shared on social media show a number of vehicles drifting in the center of the intersection at Barton Springs and Lamar as fireworks exploded nearby. A separate video showed an APD vehicle driving in reverse on Barton Springs, while a bystander placed a firework on the vehicle's hood - where it went off several seconds later.
In a tweet Sunday afternoon, APD officials reported the one officer injured and said "lawbreaking in this manner will result in enforcement and arrest."
According to APD, most of the incidents involved vehicles "driving recklessly, blocking intersections and driving in circles disregarding traffic laws." Crowds were also reportedly throwing bottles and rocks at officers, and pointing lasers.
APD said two people were arrested for evading arrest; as the investigation continues, additional charges may be filed.
The incidents, and the ability for APD to respond to them, has helped to reignite debate on the city's efforts to negotiate a new police contract. Saturday's incidents come days after the Austin City Council voted 9-2 on Wednesday to set aside a four-year tentative agreement with the Austin Police Association, instead voting to send city negotiators back to the table to try and hammer out a one-year short-term extension of the parties' current agreement. Thursday, APA leadership unanimously rejected that offer.
APA reacted to the Saturday incidents on Twitter, calling Austin policy makers "directly responsible."
District 6 Councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly, one of the two votes cast against the pivot to a one-year agreement with the police association, said she is growing "increasingly concerned" about APD's staffing situation.
"Imagine for a moment that the incidents last night happened with large scale events going on," said Kelly. "The possibility of a catastrophic cascading failure due to lack of support from our police department puts the city, it’s residents and visitors at risk of danger."
District 10 Councilwoman Alison Alter, speaking with the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday, said she unknowingly drove up on the incident and was able to navigate around it. She said she called 911 and was waiting on hold for 28 minutes to report the incident.
The incidents also caught the attention of several state lawmakers, including State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Austin).
State Rep. Jeff Leach called it "maddening lawlessness":
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Austin) also commented on the incidents on Twitter, saying the city is "heading down [a] dangerous road."
