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U.S. Attorney cites defunding as reason for Austin's rising murder rate—and impetus for new program

U.S. Attorney Gregg Sofer, along with dozens of local, state and federal law enforcement officials, announced Operation Undaunted, a new program designed to address violent crime in Austin, at a press conference on Friday.
Sofer cited Austin's murder rate, which has increased 55% year-over-year, and Austin City Council's decision earlier this year to cut funding for the Austin Police Department as reasons for this new program.
"When you defund the police, relax enforcement of existing criminal law, and release repeat offenders and violent criminals into our streets, increased violence is exactly what you can expect," he said in a statement. "Despite the challenges of the coronavirus and the unfair vilification of the entire law enforcement community, we remain undaunted in our commitment to protect the residents of central and west Texas."
Although the city's murder and aggravated assault rates have increased in 2020, violent crime decreased slightly overall, by 1%, according to a recent update from the Austin Police Department.
Operation Undaunted will take a four-pronged approach in an attempt to reduce violent crime locally:
- Using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network to identify those who commit violent gun crimes
- Incarcerating repeat offenders, including domestic abusers
- Increasing federal prosecution of violent crimes, including armed robberies and those committed by gang and cartel members
- And working with military authorities to investigate and prosecute violent crimes that occur on military bases
Austin City Council voted unanimously in August to cut approximately $20 million—or about 5%—of APD's budget. The main impact of this decision was the elimination of funding for three upcoming police cadet classes.
The police academy has come under fire in recent years—prior to the defund-the-police effort that gained momentum in May—for its "fear-based" and "paramilitary" approach to training, discriminatory recruiting practices and attrition rates.
Council members also put an additional $130 million into two transition funds that allowed several of APD's traditional duties to continue while officials work out which to move out from under police oversight.
The decision was applauded by criminal justice reform advocates—and decried by police unions, including the Austin Police Association and the Texas Municipal Police Association, the latter of which launched a billboard campaign warning drivers to "enter (Austin) at your own risk."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said he is considering a legislative proposal that, if filed and passed by state lawmakers in the upcoming session, would put APD under state control.
APD officials, however, have questioned the link between violent crimes rates and council's recent policy decisions.
"We saw a rise in violent crime in the very early months of 2020, before the reimagine and defunding conversations came up," APD Lt. Jeff Greenwalt said last month. "I don't think that we can say that the numbers in 2020 are reflective of that issue."
He did, however, welcome support from outside agencies: "If it reduces violent crime, if it makes Austin a safer place, then it's a good idea."
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(Austonia)
A Union Pacific cargo train hit a man in his 40s, killing him Thursday morning, Austin police said.
The train's driver called the police after the train hit the man at around 12:45 a.m. in the 300 block of Orchard Street, nearby Fifth Street and Lamar Boulevard.
Police have not released the identity of the man.
Over a year after its first loss, Austin FC was all smiles as it beat LAFC to take home the top MLS West spot Wednesday. (Austin FC/Twitter)
Over a year after they took the stage for the first time in Los Angeles, Austin FC returned to Banc of America Stadium to snatch the No. 1 spot from LAFC in a 2-1 statement win late Wednesday night.
Austin FC, which has flirted with the top spot in the MLS West this season, has now solidly reached the summit just a year after its second-to-last first season finish. The new top dogs are now 7-2-3 overall.
Here's a look at three highlights from the match:
Flashback in LA
For many Austin FC fans and naysayers alike, the match was more than a fight for the MLS West throne: it also served as a symbol of how far the team has come.
The two clubs first met on the Banc of America pitch as Austin FC saw its first game and first loss all at once in a 2-0 battle last April. It was an exciting but shaky start to the club's first season, and the loss seemed to set the tone for the rest of its inaugural year as the club dipped to second to last in the conference.
If Austin's first season was hallmarked by its first match, then its second-year success was foretold by its back-to-back five-goal victories to kick off the season.
Since then, the club has battled its own first-year shadow, claims of "bonus games" and a few unexpected obstacles—both on and off the pitch—but it has almost always come out on top.
That fight to the top was fully realized Wednesday, even as the club played its toughest opponent yet. Even with a man down in the middle due to Daniel Pereira's red card last game, the club kept its cool through even the trickiest moments of the match. Jhojan Valencia, who patched the Pereira hole in midfield, got his first MLS start and first MLS assist as Ruben Gabrielsen scored the first goal of the game.
Gabrielsen's goal
Nice turn and finish.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 19, 2022
Ruben Gabrielsen opens the scoring in LA for @AustinFC. pic.twitter.com/OMdTYgqS1x
Gabrielsen came to Austin FC as a potential hero for the team's center back position, but the club's resident Viking has already nabbed two goals in his first season with the team.
"That's center forward material," Austin FC announcer Adrian Healey said as Gabrielsen took control of Valencia's pass, paused to fake out the defense, and calmly tucked the ball into the left corner to complete the first goal of the match.
Feel-good Fagundez
🗣️ @AustinFC is off and running!@DiegolFagundez finds the short corner to make it a 2-0 lead in LA. pic.twitter.com/jgUr2IJQNe
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 19, 2022
Even as LAFC dominated possession for much of the match, Austin FC saw another wide-open goal opportunity crumble as midfielder Diego Fagundez's shot hit the corner goalpost in the 23rd minute.
But Fagundez wasn't finished. The midfielder was short on his Verde hair dye but full of surprises as he nimbly sunk a shot over LAFC defense to make it 2-0 with 10 minutes to go.
Fagundez, who has spent more time setting up goals for his teammates (becoming the No. 1 assister in the MLS in the process), finally took the center stage with his second goal this season.
Owen Wolff, head coach Josh Wolff's own son, had a scoring opportunity of his own foiled by the goalpost as he started his first MLS match as one of the youngest starters in the league this season.
But Austin FC wouldn't score again; instead, LAFC powerhouse Carlos Vela made the win a bit trickier in the 86th minute as he got past Austin keeper Brad Stuver to cut the lead in half. The other Wolff quickly subbed in a five-prong defense as the club kept steady for the final 10 painstaking minutes to win the match.
BONUS: Stuver's career-making match
Six saves on the night in LA for Brad Stuver! 🚫 pic.twitter.com/02V6hcUd3Y
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 19, 2022
After two weeks on the bench due to a knee gash, Austin's star keeper Brad Stuver had the Stuver-iest match of all time (yes, we're making it a word) as he pulled off six saves to help his team to No. 1.
Stuver looked like a pinball machine as he pulled off save after save with his feet, hands and body to keep it nearly 100% clean on the back end.
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