Agenda_Item_2_Downtown_Public_Safety_Presentation — original pdf
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Downtown Commission Meeting Austin Police Department – Update Wednesday, September 21, 2022 Eric Fitzgerald, Commander - Downtown Area Command eric.fitzgerald@austintexas.gov Topics • Overall Safety in the Downtown Area Command • Homelessness in the Downtown Area and APD’s role • Alternative Transportation (Scooter) Incidents • 911 vs. 311 Overall Safety Actual Safety – Protecting people’s physical welfare. Perceived Safety – The community might be safe, but a history of unsafe incidents and personal experiences might make them feel otherwise. *Maintaining both is critical in maintaining trust and credibility with the community. Violent Crime Data DTAC Part 1 Violent Crime 1/1/2021- 9/19/2022 Homicide Sexual Assualt Robbery Agg. Assault Part 1 Violent Crime Total 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 (YTD) Total 12 100 131 259 502 0% -15% -2% -36% -23% 20% 12% 35% -7% 7% 6 46 65 101 218 6 54 66 158 284 5 41 48 109 203 6 46 65 101 218 Property Crime Data DTAC Part 1 Property Crime 1/1/2021- 9/19/2022 Burglary of Residence/Non-Residence Auto Theft Burgalry of Vehicle Theft Simple Assault Part 1 Property Crime Total 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 Total 229 324 706 1660 1434 4353 135 6% 177 21% 440 -12% 952 3% 833 -2% 0% 2537 -30% -17% -40% -26% -28% -28% 94 147 266 708 601 1816 94 147 266 708 601 1816 89 121 303 687 615 1815 Highlights • Aggravated Assaults are down -7% YTD from 2021 • Burglary of Vehicles are down -12% YTD from 2021 • Robbery is up 35% YTD from 2021 • Auto Theft is up 21% YTD from 2021 • Sexual Assault is up 12% YTD from 2021 Shots Fired Data DTAC Shots Fired Calls for Service Shots Fired Calls 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 Total 87 55 -42% 32 32 42 -24% *Shots fired calls, officer-involved shootings, shooting urgent calls, etc. In 2021-2022, 24%(21/87) of DTAC Shots Fired Calls occurred in the area of 5th to 8th St. between Red River St and Brazos St. 2021 & 2022 Shots Fired Map Gun Arrest Data DTAC Gun Arrests by Possession Offense 1/1/2021- 9/19/2022 Possession of Firearm by Felon Unlawful Carrying Weapon 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 Total 54 30 195 106 31% 136 -20% -16% 33% 31% 24 89 24 89 18 68 -17% 113 113 249 86 Total Downtown Austin Alliance Unsheltered Homeless Count • Count of all unsheltered persons, tents or makeshift structures, and inhabited vehicles within the Public Improvement District (PID), • Conducted between 3AM and 6AM on September 14th, 2022. • 10 teams to survey predetermined sub districts within the larger boundary. • The count is limited to observation only and as a result a multiplier*, used nationally and locally verified, is used to produce an estimated total number of individuals experiencing homelessness. Downtown Austin Alliance Unsheltered Homeless Count September 14th, 2022 Downtown Austin Alliance Unsheltered Homeless Count APD DTAC – GEORGE SECTOR APD’s Role Related to Homelessness APD is strategically working in coordination with all of our community partners to ensure that each enforcement operation is prioritized and has meaningful impact. Why are some camps allowed to continue and others abated? With limited resources available , APD alongside its community partners have created a prioritization matrix that takes into consideration many factors such as: • Size and scope of encampment • Human trafficking • Criminal activity • Pregnant women or children • Fire hazard/risk APD’s Role Related to Homelessness When will an officer arrest for camping? • It is important to note that camping in a public space is a class C misdemeanor. • Voluntary compliance is always preferable to a custody arrest. • When an officer is compelled to take an individual into custody it is with an emphasis on service connection utilizing the mechanism of jail diversion (community court). Also important to note that while any officer can cite for camping: state law has a couple provisions: • The individual is notified of a place where camping is permitted or a resource. • The individual Is given a reasonable opportunity for voluntary compliance. APD’s Role Related to Homelessness What is meant by progressive enforcement? 1. Education and outreach - HOST 2. Warning (verbal, written) 3. Citation 4. Custody arrest (emphasis on service connection) APD’s Role Related to Homelessness What resources are available for community? • District Representatives are the primary response team to enforce camping. • 311 report will be routed to the District Representatives. Alternative Transportation ATCEMS Data – January 1, 2019 – September 19, 2022 890 incidents downtown out of a total of 2,185 scooter incidents citywide. 40.7% *Data is pulled from CAD where the word “scooter” is used in the comments DTAC Scooter Incidents 1/1/2021- 9/19/2022 Collision Recovered Vehicle Auto Theft Total 2021 2022 (YTD) 2021-2022 Total 5 1 2 7 14 4 2 5 11 2 3 PD Response: • Fatality/Serious Injury • Reported/Recovered Stolen • Disturbance Involved 911 vs. 311 When should someone call 911? • When there is an imminent threat to life or property. • When there is an injury that requires immediate medical attention or there is an injury stemming from an assault, regardless of the timeframe. • When a suspect involved in a crime is on scene of the incident or within sight *Important: If you are unsure whether to call 911 or 311, you should call 911 and let a trained operator route the call appropriately. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/police Questions? Commander Eric Fitzgerald #4667 Phone: 512-974-4529 Email: Eric.fitzgerald@austintexas.gov