In the wake of a recent incident on Sixth Street, officials from the Austin Police Department (APD) have reaffirmed their commitment to the safety of Austin's nightlife. A statement released by the APD, as reported by Austin Police, indicated that the unfortunate event on December 16th was beyond prevention, but the police response was swift and efficient, with the first officer arriving on the scene within a minute of being notified at 11:52 p.m.
Despite the occurrence not being preventable, APD is taking a proactive stance on safety measures in the popular entertainment district. These include implementing the Safer Sixth Street Initiative, an undertaking crafted by the Council in 2021 that aims to enhance nightlife safety through a spectrum of efforts, including the collaboration of multiple city departments and ongoing conversations with bar operators to tighten safety measures and establish operating standards.
Further strategies APD is pursuing to ensure a secure environment on Sixth Street are detailed in the statement provided. They are in the midst of gathering more light trailers to brighten up high-risk areas and are working on an environmental redesign of Brazos Street with stakeholders. The current DTAC Initiative Shift is also contributing by dedicating more officers to target crime trends and public concerns. Moreover, efforts to acquire additional vehicle safety barriers to protect pedestrians are actively being sought.
APD also issued several safety tips for the public, which include staying vigilant and reporting suspicious behavior, sticking together in groups, being cautious with one's drinks, and knowing the exits of venues. In the event of becoming a victim of crime, they emphasized the importance of reaching a safe place and contacting 911 immediately. For the ongoing investigation related to an officer-involved shooting that happened on the same date as the reported incident, APD assured that related video evidence would be released within the mandated ten-day period following the event.
