AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- As Austin continues to attempt to "reimagine" public safety, a new local group is throwing their support behind local law enforcement and calling attention to the effects of cutting police spending.
The Austin Coalition to Protect Public Safety, a new group that launched Tuesday, aims to highlight the effects of the budget cuts on the Austin Police Department, which the group says is now at the same staffing level as it was back in 2010.
One of the members of the new coalition is District 6 council member Mackenzie Kelly. "We're at a critical time in our city where if something is not done and action is not taken," Kelly said, "then we're going to continue to move backwards, the city will be less safe, and our families and our city will be at risk for increased crime. And that's not OK."
Joining Kelly in the effort and speaking at a Tuesday press conference were First Assistant Attorney General of Texas Brent Webster, Travis County GOP Chairman Matt Mackowiak, members of the Austin Police Association and the Austin Retired Police Officers' Association, and former City Council member Ora Houston. In addition, Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason and former Council member Ellen Troxclair are also members of the coalition.
Without an active academy program, the number of vacancies at the department has continued to grow - with no hope of filling them. "Our officers need assistance now from the council," APA's Donald Baker said. "They need to provide the necessary staffing and resources to allow them to do the job our community has grown to expect from us."
The Austin City Council recently took steps to begin a new cadet class, possibly by early June - if the academy curriculum meets the council's desire for community involvement and an increased focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.
However, even if the cadet class does start on time, it will be nearly a year before those new officers are on the streets - while the staffing problems continue to mount within the department.
