| Dear Neighbors,
This week our community and District 10 was shaken by another tragic, senseless act of gun violence that took the lives of Amanda Broderick, Alyssa Broderick, and Willie Simmons III. I am heartbroken for the victims and their families.
One only has to look at the headlines to see Austin is not alone in its struggle with gun violence. On average, over 3,350 gun-related deaths occur in Texas each year, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that gun violence claims over 30,000 lives annually. Yet, we don’t have to live this way. Common sense gun violence prevention is both possible and necessary. We all know that prayers are not enough. Gun violence is a public health crisis and we need our state and federal leaders to treat it as such.
As a council member, a mother, and a neighbor, I have long prioritized reducing and preventing gun violence in our community. Below, I highlight some of our recent efforts on this front.
Emergency Action on Gun Violence
In direct response to Sunday’s shooting and in recognition of the three lives lost, I am sponsoring a resolution on tomorrow’s Council agenda calling on state and federal leaders to take immediate emergency action to curb the gun violence epidemic in our country. I invite you to read the resolution, which provides critical context for the magnitude of this challenge. The resolution implores the Texas Legislature to advance proposals included in Governor Abbott's own 2018 School and Firearm Safety Action Plan and to protect and preserve our existing statewide licensing requirements to carry a handgun. As our legislature debates permitless carry, we urge the Texas Senate to heed the warnings of our law enforcement, faith-based, and other community leaders who have encouraged them to instead to strengthen and bolster our firearm licensing system. I want to thank my co-sponsors Council Members Ellis, Casar, and Tovo and Mayor Adler as well as my other Council colleagues for joining me in taking this step against gun violence.
Creation of the Task Force on Gun Violence and Ending City-Sponsored Arms Sales to the Public
In 2018, when I learned that our police department was allowing their used weapons to be sold on the private market which were then potentially used to commit crimes, I authored a resolution to end that practice in our city. In the aftermath of the mass shooting in El Paso in 2019, I created a City Task Force on Gun Violence and asked our police department to release quarterly data on gun violence in Austin.
Creation of the Office of Violence Prevention
The Task Force on Gun Violence produced a report released in 2020 which, among other things, recommended the creation of an Office of Violence Prevention. Shortly thereafter, I amended our annual budget to create and fund an Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) designed to interrupt and prevent violence in our community. The OVP is administered through Austin Public Health in recognition that gun violence is a public health crisis and will utilize best practices from cities such as New York, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia. In the coming months the Office of Violence Prevention will hire their permanent staff and will create innovative strategies developed and tailored using local data and community input.
APD Violence Intervention Program Targeting Gun Crime
Last week, Interim Chief Joseph Chacon announced a Violence Intervention Program aimed at preventing gun crime through a collaboration of APD’s Organized and Violent Crimes Divisions, Travis County District Attorney’s Office and state and federal partner organizations. APD is working with prosecutorial liaisons at the District and County Attorney’s Offices to increase the visibility, thoroughness, and prosecution of violent offenses. The goal of the program is to improve the safety of the Austin community through a series of proactive measures.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
I also want to take a moment to highlight another incredibly important public safety and public health priority. The month of April is Sexual Assault and Awareness and Prevention Month. We know that sexual assault and domestic violence situations often intersect with gun violence, as was the case with the Great Hills Trail shooter this past weekend.
Many local and national organizations offer low-cost or free resources, information, and assistance to people throughout this month as well as year round. I encourage you to explore, share and support local organizations like the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, the SAFE Alliance, Survivor Justice Project, and APD’s Victim Services Division.
As you may recall from previous newsletters, I launched a comprehensive, third-party evaluation of Austin’s sexual assault response system. My office has been meeting with advocates, the consultant team, and city staff, and we anticipate an initial report out in May which will include interim recommendations that I hope we can implement in our upcoming budget and under Interim Chief Chacon’s leadership.
Engage with the Reimagining Public Safety Process
The work to prevent and end violence in all forms is multifaceted, challenging and complex, but it is necessary. I invite you to engage with us in our efforts to Reimagine Public Safety in Austin to help move our community towards a future where all individuals are safe and respected. Visit austintexas.gov/publicsafety to learn more about these efforts and share input.
Next week, I’ll share information and updates on other public safety efforts, including our work to mitigate Austin’s threat of wildfire. Please share this newsletter with your neighbors and make sure they subscribe at bit.ly/d10newsletters.
Regards,
Alison Alter Council Member, District 10 |
