REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Monday, January 6, 2025, 4:00 PM City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room #1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Public Safety Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Enrique Duran II David Holmes AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on December 2, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Police Department. Presentation regarding the inclement winter weather plans including communication and partnerships with area organizations. Presentation by Bill Wilson, Interim Director, Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Presentation regarding the work of the Office of Violence Prevention, including partnerships with public safety agencies and review of the Gun Violence Problem Analysis. Presentation by Michelle Myles, Senior Business Process Consultant, Austin Public Health. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion of City of Austin Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 Budget timeline and process and formation of a working group to draft budget recommendations. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department, at 512-974-2792 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at (512-974- 2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov).
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, December 2, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, December 2, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Enrique Duran II Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: David Holmes Pierre Nguyễn Michael Sierra-Arévalo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Stephanie Ryan – A thank you to APD and crime reduction strategies. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION ITEMS Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on November 4, 2024. The minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on November 4, 2024, were approved on Vice Chair Ruttan’s motion, Commissioner Duran’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Nguyễn was off the dais. Commissioners Hermesmeyer, Orr, and Smith were absent. Discussion of commissioner appointments in 2025, the holdover capacity, and quorum for the Public Safety Commission. Discussed. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. 1. 2. 3. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, December 2, 2024 The presentation was made by Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. Presentation regarding Public Safety Department mental health services and support for sworn staff. The presentation was made by Heather Arispe, Public Safety Wellness Administrator, Austin Fire Department; Kachina Clark, Police Division Manager – Victim Services/Employee Wellness, Austin Police Department; Jennifer Smith, Sergeant, Austin Police Department; Connie Geerhart, Employee Wellness Program Manager, Austin Police Department; James Mason, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department; Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department; Tom Vocke, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department. Presentation regarding Public Safety Department demographics and diversification efforts. The presentation was made by James Mason, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department; Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department; Tom Vocke, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a Public Safety Commissioner to serve on the Downtown Commission as a non- voting member per City Code 2-1-140-C. The motion to approve Chair Ramírez to serve on the Downtown Commission as a non- voting member was approved on Chair Ramírez’s motion, Vice Chair Ruttan’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Hermesmeyer, Orr, and Smith were absent. WORKING …
Public Safety Commission Winter Weather Preparedness Bill Wilson – Interim Director January 6, 2025 ReadyCentralTexas.org Winter Weather Preparedness: Agenda • Citywide Preparation Highlights Across the Enterprise • Cold Weather Shelters & Activation Triggers • Winter Shelter Plans • Warming Centers • Emergency Public Information Resources & EOC Operations • Council Communication: News Flashes & Liaison Officer Citywide Preparation Highlights Departments are preparing equipment, supplies, and staff for cold weather. Transportation and Public Works – conducted a field exercise to drive prescribed routes for road treatment, traffic signal exercise, ordered de-icing materials. Austin Energy – conducted an incident command exercise for winter weather preparation in October Austin Public Libraries – Pre-identified Warming Center locations for extended hours Fleet Services – Trained staff to properly apply chains to vehicle tires Parks and Recreation Department – coordinating mass care sites with HSEM + staging Mission Ready Packages HSEM Offered Six (6) Winter Weather Preparedness Trainings in November & December • Winter Weather Plan Review • Winter Weather Tabletop Exercise • • • • Liaison Officer training for CMO Advisors Public Information EOC Training for all City communication positions Public Information Lead PIO Training Public Information EOC Tabletop Exercise for Winter Weather Roster Cold Weather Shelters & Activation Triggers Cold Weather Shelters are for life safety & are primarily used by people experiencing homelessness. No one will be turned away. • Updated and simplified CWS Threshold for Activation: 35°F or lower using NWS Camp Mabry location Intake centralized at One Texas Center Shelter guests are bussed to shelter via CapMetro • Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) contracted with vendor to provide shelter to the first 300 people HSEM to coordinate surge operations over 300 people • Meals for shelters Coordinating with Building Services and APD for shelter security Coordinating with Animal Services for sheltering service animals • Distributing supplies to shelter locations (mats and blankets) • • • • Winter Shelter Plans NEW Mass Care & Shelter Division Winter 2024-2025 Shelter Management Strategy • Use City-owned facilities • Utilize City-owned Mission Ready Packages (MRP) which are pre-deployed at 9 locations with 72 hours of supplies • Utilize reassigned city staff as shelter managers and support staff • Offer training for shelter managers + emotional intelligence de-escalation training with HSO and NGO partners Warming Centers Warming Centers are available at City Facilities, including Libraries and Parks & Recreation Centers • Open during normal hours of operation …
Austin Police Department Public Safety Commission Data and Backup Materials 2025 January Presentation January 6, 2025 APD January 2025 Presentation- PSC Section 1: Crimes Against Persons Section 4: Response Times & Call Volumes Section 2: Crimes Against Section 5: Budget • • • • • Property/Society Section 3: Clearance Rates 2 2 Crimes Against Persons by Offense Type 2024* vs. 2023* | 2024* vs. 5-Year Mean* Offense Type 5-Year Mean June to Nov 2023 2024 Jun to Nov Jun to Nov 1-Year Change Difference from 5-Year Mean Assault Offenses (13A, 13B, 13C) ~ Aggravated Assault (13A) ~ Simple Assault, Intimidation (13B, 13C) Homicide Offenses (09A, 09B) Kidnapping/Abduction (100) Sex Offenses (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 36A, 36B) Other Crimes Against Persons (64A, 64B) Total Crimes Against Persons 9,672 1,682 7,990 36 116 493 5 10,325 8,996 1,690 7,306 39 133 447 4 9,623 8,857 1,487 7,370 41 144 435 4 9,481 -2% -12% 1% 5% 8% -3% 0% -1% -8% -12% -8% 14% 24% -12% -20% -8% * Period reported June 1 to Nov 30 Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 3 3 Crimes Against Persons by APD Sector 2024* vs. 2023* APD Sector Adam Baker Charlie David Edward Frank George Henry Ida Other Total 2023 4,148 3,552 3,571 4,379 4,682 3,919 2,228 3,221 2,864 151 32,715 2024 3,879 3,476 3,346 4,412 4,055 3,639 2,178 3,239 2,611 172 31,007 Percent Change -6% -2% -6% 1% -13% -7% -2% 1% -9% 14% -5% * Period reported June 1 to Nov 30 Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 4 4 Crimes Against Persons by City Council District 2024* vs. 2023* City Council District 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total 2023 1,228 990 1,609 1,802 631 429 815 284 1,362 404 9,554 2024 1,267 1,046 1,617 1,533 605 425 773 315 1,444 367 9,392 Percent Change 3% 6% 0% -15% -4% -1% -5% 11% 6% -9% -2% * Period reported June 1 to Nov 30 Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 5 5 Crimes Against Property/Society by Offense Type 2024* vs. 2023 * | 2024* vs. 5-Year Mean * Offense Type 2024 1-Year Change Robbery (120) Arson (200) Burglary/Breaking & Entering (220) Larceny/Theft Offenses (23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23F, 23G, 23H) Motor Vehicle Theft (240) Counterfeiting/Forgery (250) Fraud Offenses (26A, 26B, 26C) Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property (290) Drug/Narcotic Offenses (35A, 35B) Pornography/Obscene Material (370) Prostitution Offenses (40A, 40B, 40C) …
Austin Police Department Public Safety Commission 2025 January Presentation January 6, 2025 APD January Presentation- PSC • • • • Section 1: Crime Report Section 5: Staffing & Vacancies Section 2: Response Times & Call Volumes Section 6: Commander Promotion Process Section 3: Chief Davis 100 Day Plan Section 7: Training Academy • • • Section 4: Community Engagement 2 2 Auto Thefts – 29% decrease from 2023 to 2024* – Multitude of efforts and approaches Crime Report – Hyundai Anti-Theft Events The unit coordinated and organized two different Hyundai anti-theft events, of which one lasted three days. At the 3-day event, nearly 1,000 steering wheel locks were handed out and a total of 934 Hyundai vehicles received the free anti-theft software upgrade. – Policies and Procedures The unit updated the department’s policies and procedures when handling auto theft recoveries. This was to ease the recovery process for the victims to improve community relations. The unit has also updated online links on the ATIP website to owners of Kia and Hyundai vehicles for access to their anti-theft initiatives. – Community Engagement The unit has attended varies types of community events such as Community Connects, HOA meetings, insurance hosted events etc. to provide information on current auto theft statistics, preventative measures, and how to file a report. The unit’s community liaison has reached out to numerous apartments and HOA communities to provide citizens with auto theft prevention tips. – Bait Operations The unit has conducted numerous bait operations in sectors with significant auto theft incidents through optimized hot spot analysis. * Data covers June 1 to Nov 30 for 2023 & 2024 Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES; APD Auto Theft Unit 3 3 Crime Report Kidnapping/Abduction – 8% increase from 2023 to 2024* – 24% increase over 5-year mean – Adult Victims of Unlawful Restraint= 77% – Adult Victims with Family Violence Component= 50% – Juvenile Victims with Family Violence Component= 0.6% * Data covers June 1 to Nov 30 for 2023 & 2024 Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 4 4 Crime Report Shoplifting Blitz Operation – North Metro Tac conducted 5 operations (Nov-Dec) focused on shoplifting – Responded to 22 calls – Conducted 32 arrests/summons – Recovered $12,900.84 in stolen merchandise and 3 stolen vehicles – Formed numerous community connections with retail providers – Enhanced relationships with retail providers Source: North Metro Tac Shoplifting Blitz …
Office of Violence Prevention BUILDING AN ECOSYSTEM FOR PEACE MICHELLE MYLES, MS, MANAGER The Office of Violence Prevention Vision: A peaceful, and safe Austin for everyone Mission: Fostering peace in Austin by working with communities to shape policy, coordinate violence reduction strategies, and initiatives informed by data and committed to equity Akins High School Mural, Mexic-Arte Museum OVP Project Office of Violence Prevention Community Based Public Safety Public Safety OVP Public Health Actualizing Peace Model Equitably Safe City Thriving Community Healing + Connection Centered Awareness Key Actions Address Social Determinants of Health Protect, Promote, Prevent Increase protective Factors Decrease Risk Factors Increase resiliency Key Reductions Community and Firearm Violence Domestic Violence Aggravated Assaults Key Strategies Hot spots Those most at risk Cross functional strategic planning Public Health Approach Co-creating Investments & Interventions Define the Problem Identify Risk and Protective Factors Develop and Test Strategies Scale to Level of Need Assure Adoption of Strategies and Tell the story OVP Value Proposition ACTIONS IMPACTS Invest in evidenced based programs Build conditions for safety and peace Community informed data analysis Improve trust by addressing local needs Collaborate with aligned stakeholders Shared Vision, mission and accountability Build local capacity to prevent violence Effective grassroots initiatives for peace Engage public in co-creating safety Build momentum for actualizing peace The Office of Violence Prevention Investments Youth Programs • Community Art and Screen It! • PeaceRox • GenYW Firearm Violence Reduction • ATX Peace Community Violence Intervention • Safe Gun Storage Saves Lives • Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP) Healing and Restoration • Harvest Trauma Recovery Center • Address Your Stress • Prevent Violence by Intervention and Education Getting a Better Understanding DRIVERS AND SOLUTIONS TO ENDING VIOLENCE Gun Violence Problem Analysis (2021-2022 ) Gun Violence Problem Analysis (GVPA) • Identifies local drivers of violence and strategies to reduce gun violence. • Identifies networks and people who are highest risk for violence • GVPA is primarily a practice document with implications for local policy. Limitations for Austin • Unable to examine nonfatal injury shootings (not tracked) • Only Homicide Division Sergeants participated in case reviews due to staffing • Unable to review entire victim/suspect criminal histories. Austin Homicide Rates (per capita.): 2008-2022 8.3 7.1 6.8 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 4.8 4.1 4.8 3.1 2.9 3.5 3.7 3.5 3.0 2.5 3.3 3.3 2.6 Austin Texas United States Hotspots January 2021 – December …
