Austin city council has voted to defund the Austin Police Department and move funds to “social programs.” Does that make you feel safe? Does this make you want to move to Austin with your family? Check out the details in this article to come to your own conclusion. But, we are confident that you won’t be optimistic about the leadership in Austin by the end…
Gov. Greg Abbott and top Texas leaders announced Tuesday that they will push for legislation next year that would freeze property tax revenues for cities that cut police budgets, just days after the Austin City Council approved a budget that will cut police funding by up to one-third by moving areas like forensics outside of the management of the police department to become separate municipal offices and by reinvesting money in social services.
BY JUAN PABLO GARNHAM AND JOLIE MCCULLOUGH
These are some of the police department units that were cut or reduced during the budget approval:
- 911 Call Center – $17.7 million
- Forensic Sciences – $12.7 million
- Support Services – $14.1 million
- Community Partnerships – $2.5 million
- Victims Services – $3.1 million
- Internal Affairs – $4.5 million
- Special Investigations – $1.8 million
- Special Events – $4.4 million
- Mounted Patrol – $2.1 million
- Traffic Enforcement – $18.4 million
- Austin Regional Intelligence Center – $2 million
- Park Police – $5.8 million
- Lake Patrol – $1.4 million
- Organized Crime/K-9 – $1.2 million
- Nuisance Abatement – $312,000
- Canceling 3 Cadet Classes – $2.2 million this year
- Officer Overtime – $2.8 million
- License Plate Readers – $133,000
Would you consider this to be “transformative?” No. Let’s explore some scenarios where these defundings directly impact you.
Scenario 1: You are in a wreck on I-35. Which will impact you? #’s 1, 3, 10, 16 and 17.
Scenario 2: You are driving with your families or friends and a drunk driver speeds through a stop sign. Which will impact you? #’s 1, 3, 10, 15, 16, 18 and 17.
Scenario 3: An intruder is trying to, or has, entered your home. Which will impact you? #’s 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
Is this okay? Is this the standard we hold for the great city of Austin?…
“Any city in the state of Texas that defunds law enforcement will have their property tax revenue frozen as of that time,” Abbott said in Fort Worth, where the press conference was held. “This will be an effective tool that effectively will prevent cities from being able to reduce funding support for law enforcement agencies. Some cities are more focused on political agendas than public safety,” said Gov. Abbott. “Austin’s decision puts the brave men and women of the Austin Police Department and their families at greater risk, and paves the way for lawlessness. Public safety is job one, and Austin has abandoned that duty. The legislature will take this issue up next session, but in the meantime, the Texas Department of Public Safety will stand in the gap to protect our capital city.”
Gov. Greg Abbott
The choice is yours. Make your voices heard and contact Austin City Council and Gov. Greg Abbott’s office bellow.
City of Austin
Name of Intended Department
ATT: Name of Intended Recipient
2006 East 4th Street
Austin, Texas 78702
Austin City Hall
Address: 301 W. Second St., Austin, Texas 78701
| Mayor Stephen Adler | 512-978-2100 |
| District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison | 512-978-2101 |
| District 2 Council Member Delia Garza | 512-978-2102 |
| District 3 Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria | 512-978-2103 |
| District 4 Council Member Gregorio “Greg” Casar | 512-978-2104 |
| District 5 Council Member Ann Kitchen | 512-978-2105 |
| District 6 Council Member Jimmy Flannigan | 512-978-2106 |
| District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool | 512-978-2107 |
| District 8 Council Member Paige Ellis | 512-978-2108 |
| District 9 Council Member Kathie Tovo | 512-978-2109 |
| District 10 Council Member Alison Alter | 512-978-2110 |
Mailing Address:
Texans for Greg Abbott
PO Box 308
Austin, TX 78767
Office of the Governor
State Insurance Building
1100 San Jacinto
Austin, Texas 78701
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Email Address: Info@GregAbbott.com
Scheduling Requests: Scheduling@GregAbbott.com
Press Inquiries: Press@GregAbbott.com
Telephone
(800) 843-5789 – Information and Referral Hotline (for Texas callers)
(512) 463-1782 – Information and Referral and Opinion Hotline
(for Austin, Texas and out-of-state callers)
(512) 463-2000 – Office of the Governor Main Switchboard
(office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST)
Call 711 for Relay Texas – Citizen’s Assistance Telecommunications Device, if you are using a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD)
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