Austin’s Police chief said violent crime is on the rise, following a half dozen shootings and assaults in less than a week’s time.
Combined with the departments staffing shortage, APD Chief Brian Manley said these incidents have come at a difficult time, more so as the department could be forced to deal with a delayed cadet class later this year. That’s because Austin City Council approved a resolution late last year, giving them the option to delay the academy’s third class of 2020 as part of an investigation of racism within the department.
That shortage is why he’s thankful State Troopers have come in to reinforce the department in certain parts of the city. “And we will look to partner with them on initiatives throughout the city. So we can keep that police presence where it needs to be, and we can have a response posture that will allow us to respond as quickly as possible to future calls for service.” Governor Greg Abbott directed the state troopers to do more in downtown Austin and around UT Campus following a pair of violent and deadly stabbing’s involving the homeless earlier this month.
