AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- City of Austin officials announced Thursday that a partnership between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety will resume next month.
DPS troopers will make their return beginning July 2, roughly six weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott re-deployed troopers to Texas border cities in the wake of the expiration of Title 42 at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“The partnership with DPS has already proven valuable to reducing crime and shortening response times,” said police chief Joseph Chacon. “This new iteration will ensure we continue that while taking Council direction into account and pivoting the deployment strategy.”
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The partnership will see some changes as it resumes, in an effort to respond to concerns that communities of color were disproportionately targeted previously. Instead of solely focusing on areas of highest call volume and traffic, DPS officers will be deployed at APD’s direction and based on need in three priority areas:
*Traffic: DPS will monitor roadways with high rates of injury/fatal crashes.
*Violent crime: At APD’s direction, DPS will focus on areas with the highest report of violent crime.
*Staffing levels: DPS officers will be distributed across multiple APD patrol sectors to support shifts with fewer APD officers.
DPS criminal investigators and crime analysts will also support the department in violent crime investigations and efforts to reduce gun crime.
"Public Safety is our primary responsibility as public servants and it is critical that we get this right,” said interim city manager Jesus Garza. “While supporting our APD officers in upholding our promise and mission to the people of Austin is of utmost importance, it is also important that we do so in a way that is consistent with our values and ensures everyone feels safe and at home in their community. I believe we are striking that balance.”
The partnership was originally forged through conversations with Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov Dan Patrick to support Austin Police as the department is facing historical staffing challenges. DPS officers have statewide jurisdiction and have provided additional support in other Texas cities to reduce crime rates.
Chacon said APD leadership will attend shift briefings each week with the DPS troopers being deployed in the city, in an effort to ensure that the city's policing values are addressed and reinforced.