Sexual assault investigation
The son of former cyclist Lance Armstrong is now at the center of a sexual assault investigation, according to an arrest affidavit. Luke Armstrong is accused of sexually assaulting a girl three years ago who was said to be 16 at the time. He’s now charged with sexual assault of a child.
Changing local policing
Austin’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force has announced some recommendations for changing local policing.One of the examples, according to David Johnson with the task force, is to completely get rid of standard police patrols.
“First, divest from the entire racist classist model of patrol police. Phase out the entire neighborhood based policing lineup. No more cadet classes. Phase out all use of deadly weapons. Traffic enforcement should be decoupled,” Johnson says.
The savings from cutting those programs would then be invested into economic and housing solutions.
The Austin City Council meets today, and one of the items expected to win approval is one that would give $120,000 to the Capital Area Private Defender service to review convictions of violent offenders. The money would be used to review the DNA testing and other facts of the cases.
Staffing has been a challenge for the Austin Police Department for years, but the challenge has only grown even more over the past year because of budget cuts and reallocations by the council. Police Association President Ken Casaday tells CBS Austin 62 sworn employees have left since January 1.
“Contrary to what certain council members say, people are leaving because they don’t feel supported by the City Council and certain segments of the city of Austin,” says Casaday.
He says the number is expected to be well over 100 by the end of the year and with a new cadet class beginning this summer. Casaday says that’s good but he says they really won’t be ready to be on their own until summer of next year.
Buford Tower fire
Austin police have named the man accused of starting the fire that damaged the old Buford Tower in downtown last week. David Rosenblum, who is said to be homeless, is now facing an arson charge. An affidavit says Rosenblum set fire at the base of the tower and later told police he was “not the least bit upset” about the damage.
House Bill 1803
Williamson County leaders have gone to bat at the Capitol this week for House Bill 1803, which would require cities and counties to communicate over things like the purchase of property for homeless housing. County Judge Bill Gravell says the city of Austin brought this legislation on itself when it bought the Candlewood Suites in Northwest Austin, which is also in Williamson County.
“If you want to have a conversation, give us a call and we’ll have that conversation, but do not be the neighborhood bully,” says Gravell.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler says it’s in the city’s purview so the purchase was in there right. Adler also calls HB 1803 a major setback for ending homelessness.
Austin’s five COVID protective lodges are currently housing 205 people. The city’s Vela Carmen says most of the people the lodges serve are homeless. And since the largest creation during the pandemic, she says, 405 people have left the shelter with nearly half leaving after getting linked up with more permanent housing.
“And then of the current guests, 111 households are connected to a housing program, so they’re enrolled in either a rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing program. But working with their case manager to locate that housing,” says Carmen.
She says there are also around 80 households still awaiting a housing program referral.
Migrant Youth shelters
Governor Greg Abbott is calling for Joe Biden to shut down the Migrant Youth shelter in San Antonio after allegations of abuse and neglect surface. Abbott’s also demanding a full investigation. From outside the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio where 1,300 kids are being housed, Governor Abbott said Wednesday morning two state agencies received the following complaints.
“Children at this facility are being sexually assaulted. Second, there are not enough staff to safely supervise the children. Third, some children are not eating throughout the day and forth, children with COVID are not being physically separated. The Biden administration must immediately shut down this facility.” ” says Abbott.
Abbott directed DPS and the Texas Rangers to head the investigation.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-4-8-21
