The rise of Austin’s homeless population has also seen a rise in crime around the ARCH in downtown. Cody Cowan with the Red River Merchants Association said the typical bad actors spread in a radius of about four-block radius.
Austin police continue to face unique challenges in dealing with crime involving the homeless population. Cody Cowan with the Red River Merchants Association says the last time APD increased patrols around the ARCH, criminals simply moved out of arm’s length
Last year, the Downtown Austin Alliance said homelessness was driving away tourism. $30-million is budgeted this year for homelessness, but advocates say only permanent housing will solve this problem.
(Photo: Eric Leikam)
