AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Calling it a trend that "will continue" into the end of the year, Austin Police interim chief Joseph Chacon spoke with the media Monday afternoon to address the city reaching an all-time high in the number of homicides in a single calendar year.
Two homicides early Sunday morning pushed the total for the year to 60, eclipsing the previous record of 59 homicides back in 1984. That's the highest since the Austin Police Department began tracking the data roughly 60 years ago.
"Of those 60," said Chacon, "49 have been solved. We're working on the remaining 11. Several of those we have very solid leads on."
The number of homicides this year is a significant increase from recent years, with 48 reported in 2020, 38 in 2019, and 35 in 2018. Over the past decade, from 2010 to 2019, Austin averaged 34 homicides per year.
Chacon said the department has increased the number of detectives in the homicide unit, adding two last month for a total of 14.
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"Over the last couple of years, we have seen a marked increase in the amount of gun crime that is occurring within the city," said Chacon. "I think that there are a number of reasons that are driving that... but what I can just tell you from the cold hard facts is that our weapons violations have seen a 28 percent increase this year over last year, and the number of weapons violations that we have has increased significantly."
Chacon said murders are up 74 percent year over year through August. "Interpersonal arguments are becoming deadly when introduced" into an environment where "guns are more readily available on the streets."
Another factor, Chacon said, is an increase in offenders being released on personal recognizance bonds and then recommitting violent offenses. "We have been very vocal when we see this is happening," said Chacon, "to make sure that we as a criminal justice system and a community are holding those accountable who have committed acts of violence, and that we don't give them an opportunity to re-offend."
Police staffing has also had an impact. "Research shows that the number one deterrent for crime is officer presence," said Chacon. "With the fewer number of officers that I have right now on patrol, that are many times running from call to call and do not have an opportunity for proactive police work, has decreased that officer presence and has provided opportunities for people to commit these acts of violence."
That staffing issue will take center stage for voters on Nov. 2, with a ballot proposition aimed at forcing the city to increase police staffing. The ordinance spearheaded by Save Austin Now would look to force the city to staff a minimum of two officers for every 1,000 residents. Critics of the proposal say it would have a negative impact on other city services, and not contribute to making the city any safer.
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Chacon said one of the best ways the community can help is through awareness of what's going on in your neighborhood. "When you see something, say something - that will help with it," said Chacon.
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