Some Austinites are worried that there will be less police patrolling the streets than there are today, if the currently proposed 2020-20 budget is approved as is.
On a conference call with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, City Manger Spencer Cronk was questioned about sworn officer staffing levels at APD.
Given under the proposed budget they would lose 100 currently unstaffed sworn officer positions, have lost one full cadet class, and are still losing officers do to a variety of reasons, they worry this can only mean the number of cops on patrol will dwindle. Cronk said that could happen, and admits the city cannot keep up with the department’s natural attrition rate.
However the City’s Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo, explained they did factor the attrition rate into the how they crafted the budget and reminds folks, APD only lost out on one Cadet class. He believes the Police Academy will resume operations in 2021 to refill the ranks.
In the meantime, CM Cronk said this allows residents and city leaders time to come together and ask whether or not they are okay with how APD is being transformed, how you want officers interacting with the community, and where do you want the city putting various resources.
