austonia newsletter
Most viewed
Anti-police defunding billboard campaign warns Austin drivers to 'enter at your own risk!'
The Texas Municipal Police Association launched a billboard campaign Wednesday in response to what the union called Austin City Council's "disastrous decision" to cut some police funding.
Two billboards now appear on I-35, just north and south of the city, warning drivers to "enter at your own risk."
https://t.co/JCqTKdTNRO— TMPA (@TMPA)1599665704.0
After months of protests against police violence and calls from residents to remove the police chief, Austin City Council voted last month to immediately cut approximately $20 million—or about 5%—of the Austin Police Department budget. They also put an additional $130 million into two transitional funds that will allow several of APD's traditional duties to continue while officials work out which responsibilities to move out from under police oversight.
The TMPA—which represents more than 30,000 local, county and state law enforcement officers across the state—wrote in a Facebook post that the decision to cut funding was a "reckless act, a political stunt by the city council pandering to the radical left" and that it "will do nothing but endanger the people of Austin."
State GOP leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, tweeted in support of the billboard campaign on Wednesday.
Thank you to the Texas Municipal Police Association for these great new billboards that went up in Austin today.… https://t.co/ph8UQgdxkB— Dan Patrick (@Dan Patrick)1599679726.0
Last year, Austin spent more per resident on the police than any of the four largest cities in Texas, according to the Texas Tribune. Between 2008 and 2018, its violent crime rate fell 25%. This year, through July, there were 29 homicides, compared with 19 during the same period last year.
Abbott tweeted last week that he was considering a legislative proposal that, if passed, would put APD under state control.
This proposal for the state to takeover the Austin Police Department is one strategy I'm looking at. We can't let… https://t.co/N0ZEUeH384— Greg Abbott (@Greg Abbott)1599168839.0
- Voting on the funding of the Austin police department - austonia ›
- List of proposed changes to Austin Police Department after protests ... ›
- Texas governor considering state control of Austin police - austonia ›
- Austin Police Department overhaul draws public testimony - austonia ›
- Two days of protest: demonstrators shut down I-35, Austin police ... ›
- $8.5 million spent on housing for Army Futures Command leadership in West Austin - austonia ›
- Flashy digital billboards could light up Austin after court opinion - austonia ›
- Man shot and killed in APD officer-involved shooting - austonia ›
- Governor-backed plan could put Austin police under state control - austonia ›
Popular
Pearl Lantana Apartments is one of many apartment complexes around town without running water due to plumbing issues. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
The last night Stephanie Landgraf, 25, spent in her apartment, off of Rundberg Lane, was on Valentine's Day. First, her power went off, only to return shortly after the complex lost water. Since then, she's been staying with friends. "There's no end in sight," she told Austonia. "At this point, I'm just angry."
- As reservoirs begin to refill, two zones regain water supply - austonia ›
- Austin faces 'multi-day' water crisis after winter weather - austonia ›
- Water distribution plan continues as Austin Water works to restore ... ›
Cara Caulkin, Jane Ko, Chelsea Hughes and Kristy Owen helped raise funds and spread the word to feed the community during the winter storm last week. (Cara Caulkin/Instagram)
When city services shut down, four Austin influencers stepped up to bring thousands of free meals to the community.