The City of Austin has seen a record number of homicides this year along with a mass exodus of police leaving the force thanks in part to the liberal leaders pushing to defund them.
Now the newly appointed Police Chief announced the new policy that took effect on Friday where officer would no longer respond to non-emergency calls.
Those non-life threatening calls they will no longer with police include the following:
- Animal services
- Auto theft
- Burglary of residence, business or vehicle
- Car wrecks not requiring a tow; when there are no injuries; when both drivers have proof of insurance and a driver’s license, and when neither driver is impaired
- COVID-19 violations
- Verbal disturbances
- Prostitution
- Suspicious person or vehicle
- Vandalism
- Theft
Chief Chacon tells residents they should dial 311 to report non-life threatening emergency calls.
He adds that the new policy also aligns with the department's COVID-19 protocols aimed at reducing patrol officer contact with the public.
The Czar said on the show this morning, “if you don’t have the money to pay for officers to respond when somebody smashes into another person, wouldn’t you cut the library department and take that money. Doesn’t that make sense to you.”
Amy Mok, an Asian American activist blasts the move telling the Austin American Statesman, “this just wasn't very thoughtful. And it adds an extra level of anxiety, confusion and mistrust that was already there…How are people supposed to assess each emergency, each situation, which is already stressful enough. They need to come up with a comprehensive introduction about this policy. Are 311 responders going to be able to help non-English speakers? Are they properly trained? Who are they?"
One business owner fears that the rerouting of non-life threatening emergency calls will increase crimes.
The Austin American Statesman reports:
"Jill Ramirez, owns Coronado Print Studio in Southeast Austin. In the past year, her business has been broken into at least four times, she said. Ramirez opted to board up her building's windows, and she once paid for security to watch her property at night.
She said police patrols are not as visible as they were in previous years in the neighborhood near Vargas Road and Felix Avenue. She worries the burglaries in the area won't stop.
"I'm sad. Not having police officers come out is probably going to make it worse. People are going to know that officers won't be coming out, and it'll make it worse," Ramirez said. "This just makes me feel more unsafe. There's more uncertainty. I already don't go out to my studio when it gets dark, but I should be able to. I should be able to feel safe in my neighborhood, in any neighborhood.""