PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin Police Department Virtual Magistration Pilot Program January 8, 2024 Date: Subject: Motioned by: Rebecca Bernhardt Seconded by: Nelly Paulina Ramirez Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends Pilot program in early 2024. WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department is planning to roll out a Virtual Magistration WHEREAS, the process of prescreening arrests, where the Travis County County Attorney’s Office and District Attorney’s Office attorneys review arrest affidavits and decide which cases proceed to prosecution, saves the Travis County taxpayers resources by preventing people who are not going to be prosecuted from being jailed at taxpayer expense; WHEREAS, Travis County operates an experienced pretrial services office that provides detailed information, including risk assessments and criminal history, relied upon by City of Austin Magistrates in making their bond decisions; WHEREAS, the work of Travis County Pretrial Services has been studied and has the documented benefits to Travis County of decreasing incidents where dangerous arrestees are released on bond and commit new violence as well as ensuring low-risk arrestees are likely to be released; WHEREAS, it is unclear how the Austin Police Department plan to duplicate the expertise and services provided by Travis County Pretrial Services and it is unlikely they will be able to do so; WHEREAS, if the Austin Police Department operates the magistration pilot without effective pretrial services screening of arrestees, it is likely to decrease public safety and instability in the Austin community; WHEREAS, Travis County continues to work to incorporate counsel at first appearance into their processes and there is no plan to enable incorporation of counsel in the Virtual Magistration Pilot program: WHEREAS, the Virtual Magistration Pilot program does not appear to allow for the provision of counsel at magistration, either for appointed counsel or retained counsel, potentially violating the 6th Amendment of the US Constitution; WHEREAS, the Virtual Magistration Pilot program does not appear to allow for the ability of the public to view magistration proceedings, thereby potentially resulting in an “open courts” violation of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution; WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department plans to operate a holding facility at APD Headquarter; WHEREAS, APD Headquarters is considered functionally obsolete by the City of Austin and slated to be replaced in the next few years with a new, more appropriate facility; WHEREAS, Austin Police operated a “city jail facility” in APD Headquarters until 2000, when Austin and Travis County consolidated …
November 30, 2023 Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin Natasha Harper-Madison, Austin City Council, District 1 Vanessa Fuentes, Austin City Council, District 2 José Velásquez, Austin City Council, District 3 José “Chito” Vela, Austin City Council, District 4 Ryan Alter, Austin City Council, District 5 Mackenzie Kelly, Austin City Council, District 6 Leslie Pool, Austin City Council, District 7 Paige Ellis, Mayor Pro Tem, Austin City Council, District 8 Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, Austin City Council, District 9 Alison Alter, Austin City Council, District 10 Jesús Garza, Austin City Manager Bruce Mills, Austin Assistant City Manager over Public Safety Judge Sherry Statman, Presiding Municipal Judge, City of Austin Robin Henderson, Chief of Austin Police Department Re: Proposal to Conduct Magistration Away from Central Booking Dear City of Austin Leaders, We are writing to you regarding the City’s proposal to conduct a pilot program where magistrations are conducted outside of the Travis County Sheriff’s Central Booking facility. We recognize the desire to magistrate arrestees as efficiently as possible and to be fiscally responsible with the City’s resources and agree that these are worthwhile objectives. These aims, however, should not come at the expense of the integrity of our community’s magistration process. As the judges of the courts where these cases will ultimately be heard, we have important concerns about the proposed process, including: • The proposal works against the progress made toward providing counsel at magistration. Providing arrestees with counsel at first appearance (CAFA) is a goal that the Travis County criminal judiciary strongly supports and has been working to implement along with the Travis County Commissioners Court, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Travis County prosecutors, and the defense bar. We know that moving toward CAFA is also important to the City of Austin, as acknowledged in DocuSign Envelope ID: C500BA73-5807-4675-A9CE-2179A04170C0 Resolution Number 20200409-030, adopted April 9, 2020. Providing counsel at magistration is of great concern to the community and major steps have been taken toward the implementation of this process. Notably, the County Commissioner’s Court has already devoted $1.5 million to retrofit the jail for the sole purpose of assisting with counsel representing people at their first appearance before a magistrate. Instituting a system that not only takes arrestees away from Central Booking but also utilizes a virtual magistration system where they do not see the judge in person is a countermeasure to this aim and works against the goals of our …
88TH STATE LEGISLATURE Intergovernmental Relations Office – Brie L. Franco, Officer WHERE WE STARTED: 2022 PRE-FILED LEGISLATION • Multiple Austin-specific and General City bills were pre-filed in 2022, indicating a tough session ahead for Austin and Cities in general. • Austin Specific • District of Austin – HB 714 by Patterson • DPS Takeover of Austin Police Department – HB 880 by Slawson • Guaranteed Income Preemption – HB 553 by Troxclair • Paid Sick Leave Preemption – SB 130 by Campbell; HB 121 by Vasut • City Specific • Intra-state Commerce Preemption • Municipal Permitting • Community Advocacy (i.e. taxpayer funded lobbying) • By the time the Session began, additional bills concerning significant issues impacting Cities had been filed, such as ETJ regulation, permitting, anddisannexation. 1 88TH REGULAR SESSION STATISTICS • A total 8,153 bills and joint resolutions were filed in the 88th Regular Session, with 1,020 bills and joint resolutions filed on the final day of filing alone. • For context, a total of 7,148 bills and joint resolutions were filed in the 87th Regular Session in 2021. • IGRO tracked 1,678 bills • IGRO identified 81 priority bills that would have had a highly negative impact on City. By the end of the 88th Session, 75 of the priority negative bills failed to pass and 6 finally passed. • Governor Abbott vetoed 76 bills, many of which he said could be taken up again in a special session. 2 88TH SPECIAL SESSIONS: STATISTICS 1st Called Session 2nd Called Session 3rd Called Session • May 29 – June • June 27 – July 27 Filed. 13 Filed • Oct. 9 – Nov. 7 JRs Filed • 66 Bills and JRs • 94 Bills and JRs • 287 Bills and • No bills passed • 3 bills passed • 2 bills passed 4th Called Session* • Nov. 7 – Dec. 5 • 161 Bills and JRs Filed • 2 bills passed * First time a Texas governor has called a fourth special session the same year as the regular session 3 88TH SPECIAL SESSION(S) • The Governor called a total of four Special Sessions on a range of topics, including: • Cutting property-tax rates • Increasing or enhancing the penalties for criminal conduct involving the human smuggling or the operation of a stash house • Border security infrastructure and border wall funding • Creating a criminal offense for illegal …
Austin Public Safety Commission Austin Police Department Booking and Magistration Process January 8, 2024 Background: Post-Arrest Processes 1. Immediate post-arrest actions occur at Travis Central Booking Facility (“Central Booking”) 2. Central Booking – owned by Travis Co., operated by Travis County Sheriff’s Office (“TCSO”) 3. APD arrests = 60-65% of all arrests processed at Central Booking 4. City and Travis County have interlocal agreement (since 1983) to share duties, responsibilities, and costs at Central Booking 1 Background - Virtual Magistration Project Summer 2023: City of Austin & Travis County began renegotiating Central Booking Interlocal Agreement Costs: Previous annual cost: $6.9M County’s recommendation to move forward: $14.5M New negotiated annual cost: $9.9M Post-Arrest Process Reevaluation • City Issues: 1. Cost – while City’s cost will increase from $6.9M to $9.9M (FY23 to FY24), the percentage of APD arrests at Central Booking is decreasing (FY22 = 64.66%; FY23 = 61.2%) 2. Efficiency – in light of staffing shortages APD needs to minimize arresting officer time spent at Central Booking • Conclusion: evaluate feasibility of alternative post-arrest processes 5 What We Found APD can complete all of the same forms and processes required for the magistration process off-site from Central Booking Comparison of Processes Examples of forms and processes completed: Current TCSO Magistration Process APD Virtual Magistration Process PC Affidavit PC Affidavit Mental health pre-screening Mental health pre-screening Financial questionnaire Financial questionnaire PSRS Checklist PSRS Checklist Computerized Criminal History (CCH) Computerized Criminal History (CCH) TCSO Odyssey Review TCSO Odyssey Review No CAFA, but will in the future No CAFA, but will in the future Next Steps 1. Continued work on design of an alternative post-arrest process 2. Mock trial testing of alternative process (Q1 2024) 3. Ongoing legal review to ensure both state law compliance and protection of arrestee rights 4. Continuing dialogue with Travis Co. re current interlocal contract and potential future alternatives 7 Questions?
Austin Police Department Public Safety Commission – FY2024 Q1 Presentation • • • Section 1: Crimes Against Persons Section 4: Community Engagement Section 2: Crimes Against Property/Society Section 5: Budget Section 3: Response Times & Call Volumes Section 6: Staffing & Vacancies • • • APD Public Safety Commission – FY2024 Q1 Data compiled by APD Research & Planning unit Slide 1 Crimes Against Persons by Offense Type FY2024 Q1 vs. FY2023 Q1 | FY2024 Q1 vs. 5-Year Mean (Q1) Crimes Against Persons Offense Type FY2023 Q1 FY2024 Q1 1-Year Change 5-Year Mean (FY2019-2023 Q1) Difference from 5-Year Mean Assault Offenses (13A, 13B, 13C) 4604 4367 4130 Homicide Offenses (09A, 09B) Kidnapping/Abduction (100) Sex Offenses (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 36A, 36B) Other Crimes Against Persons (64A, 64B) 13 51 245 3 20 56 217 0 25 56 155 0 Total Crimes Against Persons 4916 4660 4366 -5% 25% 0% -29% 0% -6% -10% 95% 10% -37% -100% -11% Slide 2 APD Public Safety Commission – FY2024 Q1 Data compiled by APD Research & Planning unit Crimes Against Persons by APD Sector FY2024 Q1 vs. FY2023 Q1 Crimes Against Persons APD Sector FY2023 Q1 FY2024 Q1 Percent Change Adam Baker Charlie David Edward Frank George Henry Ida Total 481 468 504 462 818 558 329 580 409 52 427 323 508 435 827 576 296 521 417 36 -11% -31% 1% -6% 1% 3% -10% -10% 2% -31% -6% Other (including airport) 4661 4366 APD Public Safety Commission – FY2024 Q1 Data compiled by APD Research & Planning unit Change from FY2023 to FY2024 (Q1) Slide 3 Crimes Against Persons by City Council District FY2024 Q1 vs. FY2023 Q1 Crimes Against Persons City Council District FY2023 Q1 FY2024 Q1 Percent Change 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total 562 490 753 817 271 237 387 141 782 180 565 484 754 843 272 158 386 127 576 179 4620 4344 1% -1% 0% 3% 0% -33% 0% -10% -26% -1% -6% APD Public Safety Commission – FY2024 Q1 Data compiled by APD Research & Planning unit Change from FY2023 to FY2024 (Q1) Slide 4 Crimes Against Persons Density (“Hotspots”) FY2024 Q1 vs. FY2023 Q1 Crimes Against Persons FY2023 Q1 FY2024 Q1 Change APD Public Safety Commission – FY2024 Q1 Data compiled by APD Research & Planning unit Slide 5 Crimes Against Property/Society by Offense Type FY2024 Q1 …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY December 4, 2023 The PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR CALLED MEETING on Monday, December 4, 2023 at City Hall Building, Boards and Commissions Rm, 301 W. 2nd Street, AUSTIN, TEXAS Chair Ramirez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:05pm. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Ramirez, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt, Vice Chair Pierre Nguyen Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: David Holmes and Cory Hall-Martin Absent: Commissioners John Kiracofe (resigned), Jasmine Smith, and Kristy Orr Tim Ruttan Lauren Pena PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: - Carlos Leon – Capital Metro regarding customer service APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Chair Ramirez called for the approval of the minutes for November 6, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of November 6, 2023 were approved on Commissioner Nguyen’s motion, Commissioner Pena’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Orr, and Smith were absent. 2. Staff Briefings – post to the website 1 3. Public Safety Quarterly Report for EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Speaker – Chief of Staff, Teresa Gardner Chief Gardner presented the usual quarterly stats for EMS. The categories presented on were: current staffing, employee separations, current vacancy rate, turnover rate, Opiate overdose numbers and Narcan Rescue kits used this quarter. In addition to these categories there was new information on Pop Ups Resource Clinics. The Pop Up clinics is where different agencies come together in communities of homeless population mostly and communities that are lacking in various resources. The Pop Up clinics help to shelter, health assistance and various resources needed for the less advantage population. There is a new service offered “Tele judge Implementation “set up in October 2023. There were questions from Commissioner Nguyen on heat maps being used in future presenting of quarterly stats, and an update on how the community education programs are affecting the community they are serving. Commissioner Ruttan asked if there was any special help/assistance from Public Safety Commission needed to support the Narcan Kits education. In closing Commissioner Ramirez was curious on the number of times the Tele- judge had been used. 4. Discussion of Office of Police Oversight’s under new leadership, implementation of APOA and Resolution 99 with Equity Action and community leaders Chair Ramirez welcomed new Gail McCant, Director of Office of Police Oversight and opened the floor for her to introduce herself and present her overview of the Office of Police Oversight, the staff makeup …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY January 8, 2024 The PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR CALLED MEETING on Monday, January 8, 2024 at City Hall Building, Boards and Commissions Rm, 301 W. 2nd Street, AUSTIN, TEXAS Chair Ramirez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 3:35pm. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Ramirez, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt, Vice Chair Pierre Nguyen Kristy Orr Lauren Pena Paul Hermesmeyer Timothy Ruttan Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Yasmine Smith Absent: Commissioners Cory Hall-Martin and David Holmes PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: - None – speakers were later called with Item 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Chair Ramirez called for the approval of the minutes for December 4, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of December 4, 2023 were approved on Commissioner Nguyen’s motion, with Commissioner Pena second on a vote with Commissioner Smith abstaining and 6 voting for approval. Commissioners Holmes and Hall-Martin were absent. 2. Staff Briefings – none. 3. Public Safety Quarterly Report for Austin Police Department Speaker – Chief of Staff Jeff Greenwalt Chief Greenwalt acknowledged that at a previous meeting department representatives were asked to keep quarterly reports high-level, so the format of the presentation has changed to reflect this request. Chief Greenwalt reported the following stats in the presentation: -Crimes against persons by offense type -Crimes against persons by APD sector -Crimes against persons by City Council district -Crimes against persons density (“hotspots”) -Crimes against property/society by offense type -Crimes against property/society by APD sector -Crimes against property/society by City Council district -Crimes against property/society by density (“hotspots”) -Citywide response times and call volume -Response times and incident volume by City Council district -Emergency and urgent call volume by month -Community engagement -Overtime budget vs. hours worked -Personnel budget vs. total expenditures -Cadet classes -Staffing levels -Patrol officer staffing and vacancies by area command Chair Ramirez opened the floor for questions. - Clarified that Q1 report is covering October-December (Chair Ramirez) - Request to color coordinate slides that have sector and districts for geographic clarity moving forward (Commissioner Smith) 4. Discussion of 88th Special Texas Legislative Session and Impacts on Public Safety Speaker – Brie Franco, City Intergovernmental Relations Officer Four special sessions were covered in this presentation. A summary of information included is below: -2022 pre-filed legislation (HB 714, HB 880, HB 553, SB 130) -88TH regular session statistics -88th special sessions statistics -88th special sessions …
1. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION December 5, 2022, 4 PM 301 West 2nd Street – Boards and Commissions Room AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 Janet Jackson, (512) 974-5747, or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair John Kiracofe Kathleen Hausenfluck Michael Sierra-Arévalo AGENDA Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Rebecca Webber Cory Hall-Martin Rebecca Gonzales CALL TO ORDER 4:00–4:03 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 4:03–4:07 (from speakers signed up to speak) The first three 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 4:07 pm–4:10pm Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING on November 7, 2022. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action on an update on the reforms of the Austin Police Department cadet training academy. 4:10pm-4:40pm Sponsors: Commissioners Ramirez and Bernhardt - May Kroll Report Presentation - Dr. Ann Kringen, Austin Police Department - Noelle Davis, Phil Hopkins and Serita Fontanesi, community representatives of the Academy Review Panel Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, 4:40pm-5:00pm Sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales - Teresa Gardner, Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Discussion and possible action on update on Vision Zero traffic safety strategy implementation, 5:00pm-5:25pm Sponsors: Commissioner Bernhardt and Gonzales - Lewis Leff, Vision Zero, City of Austin Discussion and possible action How Austin’s New Program to Provide Counsel at First Court Appearance Will Reduce Racial Inequities and APD’s $7 Million Annual Jail Budget – 5:25pm – 5:55pm Sponsors: Commissioners Webber and Bernhardt - Rachel Gunner, Advocates for Social Justice Reform - Amelia Casa, and Nathan Fennell, Texas Fair Defense Project - Adeola Ogunkeyede, Travis County Public Defenders Office - Bradley Hargis, Capital Area Private Defender Service 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 5:55pm—5:58pm ADJOURNMENT 5:58pm—6:00pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. …
1. ***REVISED*** REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION December 5, 2022, 4 PM 301 West 2nd Street – Boards and Commissions Room AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 Janet Jackson, (512) 974-5747, or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair John Kiracofe Kathleen Hausenfluck Michael Sierra-Arévalo AGENDA Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Rebecca Webber Cory Hall-Martin Rebecca Gonzales CALL TO ORDER 4:00–4:03 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 4:03–4:07 (from speakers signed up to speak) The first three 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 4:07 pm–4:10pm Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING on November 7, 2022. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and possible action on an update on the reforms recommended by Kroll, for the Austin Police Department cadet training academy. 4:10pm-4:40pm Sponsors: Commissioners Ramirez and Bernhardt - Dr. Anne Kringen, Austin Police Department - Commander Wade Lyons, Austin Police Department - Noelle Davis, Phil Hopkins and Serita Fontanesi, community representatives of the Academy Review Panel 3. 4. 5. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, 4:40pm-5:00pm Sponsors: Commissioner Hausenfluck and Gonzales - Teresa Gardner, Assistant Chief, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Discussion and possible action on update on Vision Zero traffic safety strategy implementation, 5:00pm-5:25pm Sponsors: Commissioner Bernhardt and Gonzales - Lewis Leff, Vision Zero, City of Austin Discussion and possible action How Austin’s New Program to Provide Counsel at First Court Appearance Will Reduce Racial Inequities and APD’s $7 Million Annual Jail Budget – 5:25pm – 5:55pm Sponsors: Commissioners Webber and Bernhardt - Rachel Gunner, Advocates for Social Justice Reform - Amelia Casa, and Nathan Fennell, Texas Fair Defense Project - Adeola Ogunkeyede, Travis County Public Defenders Office - Bradley Hargis, Capital Area Private Defender Service 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 5:55pm—5:58pm ADJOURNMENT 5:58pm—6:00pm The City of Austin …
Vision Zero Austin: Public Safety Commission Update December 5, 2022 1 Years of Life Lost 3,321* (Through 11/15/2022) * There were 4 fatalities of unknown age 2 Vision Zero / Safe Systems Approach ● An ethical approach to safety and mobility - fatalities and serious injuries should not be acceptable ● Human body is vulnerable ● Humans make mistakes ● Separate users in space and time ● Cannot predict where next severe crash happens; we can predict based on conditions where it is more likely to occur 3 Vision Zero / Safe Systems Approach Austin Energy APD (Enforcement, Crash investigations) Public Works ATD Housing and Planning Vision Zero, Safe System Austin Public Health Local and State Policy Makers ATCEMS / Fire Law / Municipal Ct. / Travis County Attorney, District Attorney CapMetro, ATP TxDOT/State 4 Vision Zero / Safe Systems Approach Source: Vision Zero Network 5 Austin Data and Trends By Mode Fatal Crashes* Serious Injury Crashes* Mode 2022 % 2021 % Mode 2022 % 2021 % Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorcyclist Motorist 39 1 17 35 92 42.4% 1.1% 18.5% 38.0% 32 3 14 44 93 34.4% 3.2% 15.1% 47.3% * Data through November 15th Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorcyclist 17.3% 6.5% 17.3% 16.7% 6.3% 14.4% Motorist 58.9% 248 62.6% 72 27 72 245 416 66 25 57 396 Data disclaimer: Data accessed on 11/29/2022. There may be additional reports filed or changes which may impact these numbers before they are final. 6 Austin Data and Trends By Mode Fatalities* Serious Injuries* Mode 2022 % 2021 % Mode 2022 % 2021 % Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorcyclist Motorist 39 1 17 39 96 40.6% 1.0% 17.7% 40.6% 32 3 14 52 101 31.7% 3.0% 13.9% 51.5% * Data through November 15th Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorcyclist 18.7% 6.0% 15.2% 14.9% 5.5% 12.7% Motorist 60.1% 305 66.9% 91 29 74 292 486 68 25 58 456 Data disclaimer: Data accessed on 11/29/2022. There may be additional reports filed or changes which may impact these numbers before they are final. 7 Austin Data and Trends National data (2010-2020) Austin data (2013-2022) 8 Austin Data and Trends Additional Fatal Crash Analysis Year over Year (through November 15th) Year Off-System Fatal Crash % On-System Fatal Crash % 2018 32.81% 67.19% 2019 36.99% 63.01% 2020 30.67% 69.33% 2021 33.33% 66.67% 2022* 23.91% 76.09% 31.54% 68.46% Data disclaimer: Data accessed on 11/29/2022. There may be additional reports filed or changes which may impact …
Public Safety Commission (CC) – 12/5/22 (4 PM) Soy Carlos León. First and foremost, Gracias a Dios for letting me expose and combat continuing CAP METRO gaslighting and reverse sexual harassment – a public safety threat to us all. [DOC ON SCREEN]. In front of you now is CAP METRO’s online Customer Comment Form [https://app.capmetro.org/ServiceOneWebCCR] to file complaints against harassing drivers. For weeks, CAP METRO has claimed that form is out of service. However, it still works, evidenced by the unique alphanumeric ID sent in its return Thank you. Because each ID starts with a sequential five-digit number, my data set shows CAP METRO’s false out of service message has chilled filed complaints by close to 90%, going from about 1000 per month to a bit more than 100 over the last 30 days, though service has WORSENED over that time. [CAMERA ON ME] Many drivers continue NOT stopping to NOT board or transport me, breaking the law, requiring understaffed APD to arrive on scene to enforce the law to ride the bus. Though complaints get filed against the guilty, criminal drivers, their behavior does NOT change and they don’t get fired, emboldening more drivers to amplify their disregard for CAP METRO’s rules, and the law, especially with regard to their reverse sexual harassment, trying to effeminate and emasculate me, a Straight Christian Man, Old, shameless loser female cougar drivers like Operators 300120 and 304810 smiling at me, commenting on my body, and/or staring at me with “FORK ME” eyes is bad, but the HOMOS are worse. Like guilty old White Male driver 301280 standing outside the bus at end of route, facing me to smoke a cigarette, try staring me down, and blow a kiss at me while I was exiting and gathering my gear. That DEMON does NOT belong here. The abusive, attacking drivers that are members of the Nation of Islam and/or NOT U.S. citizens are other groups that have to go. Like the young Middle Eastern Male driver who repeatedly refused to open the rear doors at my stop to DENY me my exit and UNLAWFULLY RESTRAIN ME, necessitating my lawfully verbal and physical response that scared female Passengers but got the rear doors open. This dystopic, upside-down, ass-backwards anti-reality results from illegitimate Joe Biden and his fraudulent administration. I am NOT an election denier; I am an ELECTION FRAUD REJECTOR. President Trump won the 2020 …
Austin Police Department Public Safety Commission Training Academy Report Update on Austin Police Department Academy 5 December 2022 Background 143rd Academy Graduation 42 NEW OFFICERS October 2020 APD Plan & Council Approval March – June 2021 144th Pilot Academy Graduation 66 NEW OFFICERS January 2022 Kroll Pilot Academy Evaluation Complete May 2022 145th & 146th Academies Graduation 63 NEW OFFICERS November 2022 Kroll Initial Evaluation Completed April 2021 144th Pilot Academy Begins June 2021 145th Academy Begins March 2022 146th Academy (TOP) Begins July 2022 Update on Austin Police Department Academy 5 December 2022 Key Academy Goals • Community Involvement • Disproportionately impacted groups • Community resources • Subject-matter experts • Adult Learning • De-escalation • Evidence-based training • Embedded throughout curriculum Update on Austin Police Department Academy 5 December 2022 Community Connect Community Connect is a new program at the academy that engages APD cadets with community members emphasizing groups that are disproportionately impacted by policing 43 hours • Holocaust Museum in Houston with ADL • Austin Public Library • IDD Field Day • Community Meet and Greet • Community Panel and Texas School for the Deaf Tour • Jail to Jobs: Wilco Animal Shelter • Mexican American Cultural Center Update on Austin Police Department Academy 5 December 2022 Community Engagement Community engagement activities for APD cadets occur throughout the academy, enhancing understanding and linking cadets with social service providers 18 hours • Multiculturalism • Transgender rights • Hate crimes Jails to jobs • MADD • Mental Health Services • • Settlement Home • Sobering Center • Language Access Services Update on Austin Police Department Academy 5 December 2022 Outside SMEs - Teaching Course Subject Matter Expert History of Race and Policing in America Taught by Dr. Kevin Foster Professional Policing Multiculturalism & Human Relations Mindfulness and Resiliency US and TX Constitution Spanish Co-taught by Dr. Sean Roche in cooperation with Dr. Shirin Khosropour, Dr. Autumn Caviness, Windy Hill, Lisa Reyes Taught by Noelle Davis, Dr. Rick Morley, Public Safety Wellness Team Co-taught by Andrea Marsh in cooperation with Sadot Azzua, Christian Mendoza Interacting with Deaf or Hard of Hearing With complementary time taught by Otis Sizemore Transgender Sexual Harassment Recognition With complementary time taught by Dr. Wayne Maines Taught by Zeenat Kwon, APDHR Hate Crimes and Law Enforcement Taught by the Anti-Defamation League Fitness, Wellness, Stress Management Airrosti Consular Notification TABC/Beverage Code in cooperation with the Mexican Consulate …
1. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION November 7, 2022, 4 PM 301 West 2nd Street – Boards and Commissions Room AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 Janet Jackson, (512) 974-5747, or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair John Kiracofe Kathleen Hausenfluck Michael Sierra-Arévalo AGENDA Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Vice Chair Rebecca Webber Cory Hall-Martin Rebecca Gonzales CALL TO ORDER 4:00pm–4:05pm PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 4:05pm–4:15pm (from speakers signed up to speak) The first three 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 4:15 pm–4:20pm Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING on October 3, 2022. 2. 3. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Fire Department, 4:20pm-4:40pm Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department - Discussion and possible action on the gun violence prevention efforts by Travis County and the City of Austin, 4:40pm-5:10pm - Travis County District Attorney Garza or a representative from the Travis County Commissioners Court - Jeff Greenwalt, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department 4. Discussion and possible action Opioid Use Disorder Support Program and/or the Buprenorphine Bridge Program, 5:10pm-5:35pm - Blake Hardy, Commander, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services 5. Discussion and possible action on a comparison of first responder salaries and benefits between Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, 5:35pm – 5:50pm - Jason Staniszewski, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department - Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department - Teresa Gardner, Chief of Staff, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services - Selena Xie, President, Austin Emergency Medical Services Association - Jordan Malone, Medic, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 5:50pm—5:55pm ADJOURNMENT 5:55pm—6:00pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2022 The PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR CALLED MEETING on 3rd OCTOBER, 2022 at 301 WEST 2nd STREET – Boards and Commissions Room in Austin, Texas Chair Bernhardt called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:32p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Bernhardt, Chair Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Nelly Ramirez, Vice Chair Kathleen Hausenfluck John Kiracofe Cory Hall-Martin Rebecca Gonzales Rebecca Webber Absent: Michael Sierra-Arevalo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on September 13, 2022. Commissioner Kirakofe motioned to approve and Commissioner Hausenfluck seconded. Chair Bernhardt called for a vote to approve the minutes from the meeting of September 13, 2022. 1 Minutes were approved with Voting: Yes: 6 Commissioners Bernhardt, Ramirez, Hall-Martin, Gonzales, Hausenfluck , Kiracofe Abstain: Commissioner Webber Absent: Commissioner Sierra-Arevalo No: Zero DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report – Austin Police Department Jason Matson- Research & Planning Division, APD Crime Rates in Austin: • Crimes against Persons-Overall 6% decrease in violent crimes • Crimes against Property- Overall 8% decrease - leading areas contributing to decline are theft from building and theft from coin-operated machine • Crimes against Society- Overall 16% increase- leading areas contributing to increase are drug violation crimes and weapons crimes Case Clearance in Austin: • Mr. Matson acknowledged that we are in the process of revamping the case clearance guidelines with the Public Safety Commission. He provided a general overview of case clearances for past quarter. • Crimes against Person- 833 cases cleared • Crimes against Property- 443 cases cleared • Crimes Against Society- 597 cases cleared • Prosecution declinations- 21out of142 weapons cases were not prosecuted Response times: Overtime: • Slight decrease (positive outcome) but still well above Citywide target of 8 minutes 24 seconds for response times • Averaged mid to high10 minute response time range this quarter • Approved OT budget was $5.8 million for fiscal year • Actual OT expenditure was $21.34 million (285% over budgeted amount) • Steady increase in OT expenditure over past several fiscal years (anomaly was FY20) o Likely to continue for some time as APD continues to address staffing shortage Personnel Costs: • Slightly less spent than authorized in budget due to vacancy rate • $335 million authorized budget • $318.1 million spent Sworn Staffing Levels: …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Public Safety Commission Recommendation Number: 20221107-005 Motioned by Commissioner Rebecca Webber Seconded by Commissioner Rebecca Gonzales Subject: Austin should provide sworn personnel at Austin-Travis County EMS with pay and benefits equal to sworn staff at the Austin Fire Department and the Austin Police Department. Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager’s Office to provide ATCEMS medics with pay equality compared to the other sworn public safety agencies. The City Council should also direct the City Manager’s Office to look for ways to compensate their pension so it comes closer to aligning with the other sworn public safety agencies. Finally, the City Council should direct the City Manager’s Office to provide pay for paramedic school since it is a promotion requirement. WHEREAS, EMS continues to be short staffed. EMS is 23% short staffed, APD is 10% short staffed, and AFD is 8% short staffed. WHEREAS, the difference in salary increases between medics and firefighters and police officers throughout the pay scale. Medics are paid an average of 30% less than police officers and 22% less than firefighters throughout their first ten years. ATCEMS AFD APD Salary Year 1 $51,480 $60,053 $62,895 Salary Year 5 $56,207 $71,125 $77,900 Salary Year 10 $64,373 $78,414 $83,351 WHEREAS, medics are required to work up to 44 years before retiring while firefighters and police officers can retire after 25 years of service. WHEREAS, the police department and fire department pay their sworn personnel for all requirements for promotion and only in the EMS department do medics have to volunteer their time to go to paramedic school which is required for promotion. WHEREAS, one of the justifications for compensating police and firefighters at a higher rate than EMS, that police and fire fighters face substantially higher risks of injury and death on the job, has never been accurate. Historically, EMS workers die at a rate of 12.7 fatalities per 100,000, police at a rate of 14.2 per 100,000, and firefighters at a rate of 16.5 per 100,000; WHEREAS Austin paramedics have increased their responsibilities in the last three years through opioid epidemic response; homelessness response; mental health response; advanced clinical practice including whole blood in the field, finger thoracotomies; in addition to COVID19 response. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOMMENDED BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN THAT: • The Public Safety Commission recommends that the …
Public Safety Commission November 7, 2022 Agenda item: “Comparison of Austin first responder salaries and benefits. How significant are the inequities?” Sponsors: Rebecca Webber and ________________ ATCEMS AFD APD $51,480 $56,207 $64,373 Salary year 1 Salary year 5 Salary year 10 Besides high school graduation (or equivalent), are there any other requirements for hiring? $ $ $ Valid Texas Class “C” Driver License. Texas Department of State Health Services certification as an Emergency Medical Technician‐Basic (EMT‐B) or higher. Austin‐Travis County OMD Credentialed at the Emergency Medical Technician‐ Basic (EMT‐B/PL2) level within nine (9) months from the date of hire. 30 years (Cadet Class 0722) Employees are not paid to participate in the Paramedic Certification Program. Contract language states in part, “Participation in the Certification Program is voluntary and shall not Average age of last cadet class In order to fulfill requirements for promotion, are getting these requirements paid time? EX. To promote to Clinical Specialist in EMS, are $ $ $ medics paid to go to paramedic school? In order to be a driver in AFD, are firefighters paid to be in the class? Years of service required to be eligible for pension Pension multiplier Hours in work week be counted as on‐duty regular hours. A participating Medic shall not be compensated for time spent outside of on‐ duty regular work hours in connection with the Certification Program.” Group A (hired before 1/1/2012) Age 62* Age 55 with 20 years of service credit 23 years of service credit regardless of age Group B (hired on or after 1/1/2012) Vested at 5 years Age 65 with 5 years of service credit Age 62 with 30 years of service credit Age 55 with 10 years of service credit (early retirement with reduced benefits) Group A – 3% Group B – 2.5% 42 * To retire at age 62 you must be: ▪ An active contributing member when you turn age 62; ▪ A terminated vested member with at least 5 years of COAERS service credit; or ▪ A proportionate member with 5 years of combined service credit Categories of available soft pay (please add as many lines as necessary) Austin Medics 1. Education Incentive Pay – $220/month for Bachelor’s; $300/month for Master’s 2. Special Operations Qualified Pay – $175/month 3. Communications Aeromedical Communications Specialist (ACS) Pay – $150/month 4. Bilingual Translation Pay …
