Austin police to change policies after week of protests
The Austin chief of police says the department will change their policies following a week’s worth of protest. Chief Brian Manley and the City Council heard the tear filled plea of Edwin Ayala to stop using less-than-lethal bean bag rounds. His brother, 16-year-old Brad Levi Ayalas, was shot in the head with one and sent to the hospital. Chief Manley says their use is being limited.
“It should not be used in a crowd situation. It is still appropriate in many other circumstances, and so it is still approved for use,” says Manley.
City manager Spencer Cronk says the incident is actively under review right now. That didn’t cut it for council member Greg Casar who calls Cronk’s and Manley’s answers insufficient.
Retired police officers call on city leaders to attend the protests themselves
Some current former members of the Austin Police Department say the council has done nothing but vilify cops. Now they’re calling on city leaders to do more. Retired senior officer Dennis Farris’ son is an Austin cop. He says the council could be using these protests to open up direct conversations on a range of important issues.
“Instead, they chose to remain silent or condemn officers while my son had rocks, bottles, bricks and hateful words hurled at him less than 10 feet from where I stay,” says Farris.
Farris says the council should get off the dais and get into the crowds; not only to understand the perspective of protesters, but also that of police officers.
Protesters made a beeline yesterday for I-35 once again only to be cut off by DPS troopers. A group of protesters continued chanting as they tried to storm a hillside, but they were quickly diverted after they were met with troopers in full riot gear. A lot of critics of the protests say stopping traffic on I-35 is counterproductive because it makes people less inclined to approach their movement with an open mind.
The Supreme Court considers addressing qualified immunity for police
With police departments under the microscope, the Supreme Court is considering whether or not to revisit qualified immunity for police. Qualified immunity shields cops from civil lawsuits. Texas Congressman Will Hurd says he agrees that needs to be addressed.
“If you have evidence of a police officer committing crime, whether or not they’re wearing the uniform, they should be treated like anybody else. Nobody is above the law,” says Hurd.
It’s an issue that’s been debated in lower courts for years, and it is expected the U.S. Congress will take up the issue next week.
Austin City Council agrees to invest more aid into small businesses
The Austin City Council is pumping more money into small business assistance as part of the COVID-spending framework. The plan initially was to spend just $16.5 million on small business support but Council Member Kathie Tovo thought that too little.
“We’ve heard from A.I.B.A. (Austin Independent Business Association) and others about the real tremendous need to keep people employed. Most of the people in Austin are employed by small businesses,” Tovo says.
The plan was $23.5 million for small business aid. Earlier this week, there was a slash when council member Greg Casar pushed for more financial support in direct aid for individuals, boosting that from $15.5 million to $27.5 million in direct aid.
COVID-19 Update
Travis County sees a drop in hospitalizations over the past day due to COVID-19. Hospitalizations are now down to 91. 20 of those patients are on a ventilator. Since March, 95 people have died. Based on some new estimations from Austin Public Health, the number of recoveries is far higher than first believed. 2,917 of the 3,562 cases are considered recoveries.
There are five fewer active cases this morning in Williamson County then there were just 24 hours ago. 195 people are still dealing with the effects of coronavirus, including eight who are in the hospital. The number of recoveries there also continues to soar. Recoveries there are up to 438. There have been 660 total cases since March.
Governor Abbott advises small business owners on phase three of reopening
Governor Abbott is offering up some advice to small business owners as phase three of the economic reopening plan moves ahead. He says the gradual reopening is essential, and it is up to the business community to regrow and rebuild consumer confidence.
“That sense of confidence and safety when they come to your store or business that they know that they are interacting with a business that provides a safe setting,” says Abbott.
As part of phase three of the reopening, virtually all businesses are allowed 50% occupancy, including bars. Restaurants can climb to 75% next week.
Hotel industry continues to struggle financially
The Renaissance Hotel in the Arboretum is furloughing a number of workers. According to a filing with a Texas Workforce Commission, 243 employees will be let go temporarily. The furloughs could last for at least six months, possibly longer. The Sheraton downtown Austin is laying off 99 workers, saying the impact of coronavirus has been crippling.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-6-5-20
