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Austin, Texas, is urging police to call 311 instead of 911 to avoid reporting emergencies, authorities said.
Starting Friday, individuals across the city will be urged to use 311 when reporting crimes that are either no longer ongoing, the suspect is no longer on the scene, or when there is no imminent threat to life or property, according to Austin police Department.
“Please understand, if someone is in danger, we will still send a marked unit and a uniformed officer to take care of it,” said interim police chief Joseph Chacon on Wednesday, according to KXAN-TV. “But for crimes that may have already happened and are now being reported, we are looking at alternative measures and we are working on that now.”
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Chacon said the changes stem from recent human resource challenges to reconsider the Public Safety Task Force’s recommendations and review the patrol Covid-19 containment protocols that began in May 2020.
Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon speaks about the changes during a press conference Wednesday. (Austin Police Department)
The department said it is trying to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure for the public and sworn police officers who will stop responding to those non-emergency calls, FOX 7 Austin reported.
“I feel that we are under staff shortages in a lot of areas, not just obviously our sworn officers on the street, but also our forensic experts and our Austin 311 call center, so I think” I do will ask you to be patient. Often people have to wait when they call 311 to make this report, “said the interim chief.
“Unless an officer is absolutely necessary, an offense that has obviously already been committed, and we can hire an expert officer to take photos, collect evidence and deliver a case.” Number and a way to investigate a crime victim, this may be the most appropriate way to deal with it so that I can release my officers to continue answering the 911 calls when we have a violent crime and people who are actively involved in criminals Activities are involved, “he added.
Crimes that could be considered non-emergency include theft, suspicious people or vehicles, verbal disputes, prostitution, animal services and breaking into a home, shop or vehicle, police said.
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“If any on this list are still in progress and there is an imminent threat to public safety, a call to 911 is in order and we will dispatch an officer,” noted Chacon.
Last month, a North Carolina man said his daughter was in Austin at a bachelorette party with friends when the house they were renting was broken into, KXAN-TV reported.
“They called the police and were referred to 311 who instructed them to file an online report.
After hearing nothing for weeks, he said they received a call Wednesday afternoon saying that an officer should contact them within 48 hours, according to the station.
Reports collected by 311 or online at ireportaustin.com will continue to be shared with investigators – and detectives will follow up if they are able, Chacon said.
He added that the non-emergency response could be reassessed if the division is able to fill vacant officer positions.
“We will be soliciting input in this area from our community stakeholders, the city council, community members in general in the coming months, to see how they intend to deliver this police service, and then we will be able to determine like “many officers we really need,” said Chacon.
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If someone is unsure whether a particular call is an emergency, they should still call 911, the boss noted.
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