Austin’s police department at 8th and I-35 could come down under a proposal from a city councilman.
Calling it his proposal to Reconstruct and Deconstruct, Jimmy Flannigan out of District 6 wants the old Police Headquarters building demolished and replaced by a new vision addressing systemic racism, and propping up minority communities.
He wants all APD staff ousted from the building and moved to another city-run building elsewhere. That;s the “deconstruct aspect.” His “reconstruct” plan includes forming various independent departments with civilian leaders, eliminating police executive leadership teams.
That, he says, could shift $90-million to areas he believes need the money more than police.
The suggestion was met with praise by activists during city council’s public comment period today.
