Resources
Clean & Safe
Clean
Since its inception, two of the DAA's top priorities have been keeping Downtown Austin cleaner and safer. The DAA recognizes a direct correlation between those two priorities, and remains committed to these key program areas today.
Litter Removal, Graffiti Removal and Sidewalk Washing
Through a community partnership with Travis County's Reentry Roundtable Project, the Travis County Justice and Public Safety Department and several other agencies, the DAA strives to employ people with barriers to employment to implement its street and sidewalk maintenance programs.
Litter Removal
Seven days a week, DAA crews provide litter removal services throughout the Downtown Public Improvement District. DAA staff hit the streets long before the weekday morning rush, and early weekend mornings, to assure that Downtown looks its best for businesses, tourists, residents and Sunday worship.
Sidewalk Washing
DAA maintenance staff provide regularly scheduled sidewalk washing service to help keep Downtown sidewalks and streetscapes in top condition. By using a cold-water pressure washing system, the DAA erases evidence left behind by our ?feathered friends? and keeps Downtown sidewalks clean while protecting the environment from the harmful effects of cleaning chemicals or hot water systems.
Graffiti Removal
The DAA works in cooperation with professional graffiti removal contractors and the City of Austin's graffiti abatement program to assure that graffiti is removed quickly and efficiently from private property and public right-of-way. Recognizing that quick removal is an effective deterrent to graffiti, the DAA strives to remove graffiti from private property as quickly as possible, which is usually within 24 to 48 hours. To report graffiti on private property, contact the DAA by calling 469-1766. To report graffiti on public right-of-way, call the City of Austin graffiti hotline at 854-4591.
Safe
Downtown Rangers
In 1994, the Austin Downtown Rangers department was formed as a joint venture between the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Police Department.
The Rangers are Austin Police Department employees, but are not police officers and do not carry weapons or make arrests. Their purpose is to enhance public safety by being the "eyes and ears" of the Austin Police Department. Their visible presence in downtown acts as a deterrent against crime. The Rangers request voluntary compliance for minor infractions of the law.
The Rangers' continuous two-way radio communication with Police Dispatch facilitates ready access to the Austin Police Department, the Austin Fire Department and the Emergency Medical Service, resulting in quick response to any emergency. Rangers patrol an area over two hundred square blocks, on bike and on foot from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.
The Austin Police Department, the City of Austin, and the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau provide formal training in safety patrol techniques and code enforcement, security issues, CPR/first aid, and community ambassadorship.
The Rangers are dedicated to making Downtown Austin a safe place for all who visit, work, live or recreate in downtown Austin.
Downtown Area Command (DTAC)
In September 2000 the Austin Police Department, with the support of the Downtown Austin Alliance, went through an internal reorganization creating a seventh area command, the "Downtown Area Command" or DTAC. This command focuses on the areas bounded by Town Lake to the south, the west frontage of IH35 to the east, Lamar Blvd to the west and 29th Street to the north. There are 61 patrol officers, two district representatives, street response, three detectives, mounted patrol, and vehicles. This special command area improves response time, effectiveness and provides a level of community policing to the downtown area. The new command was created to deal with the disparity between the needs of the downtown business district and needs of more traditional neighborhoods needs of the area. It has proven effective at balancing the very different day time and evening needs of the downtown area.
Downtown Community Court
The Downtown Austin Community Court was established in 1999 and is a new model of the current-day Municipal Court. Its goal is to improve the quality of life and public order through quick, effective and creative sentencing of individuals who commit misdemeanor offenses.
Community Court provides the means and the encouragement to help discontinue criminal behavior, either through community restitution, through treatment, or, when necessary, through incarceration. Community Court is able to expedite the processing of misdemeanor cases, by taking these cases out of the congested Municipal Court system, and helps return the community to its pre-offense condition. By focusing on the need for treatment, which is often the root of the problem, the number of repeat offenses are reduced.
The Downtown Community Court works closely with the Municipal Court system, the Austin Police Department, the Austin Downtown Rangers and the Travis County District Attorney's office to effectively manage Class C misdemeanor cases and monitor public order violators.
Panhandling: What to do When Someone Asks for Money
When someone on the street asks for "spare change," it is difficult to know if the money you give will really help the individual or hurt them. Money given to panhandlers is often used to buy alcohol or drugs, not food, clothing or shelter.
It is important to know that through Austin's social service network a person can get three meals every day, nighttime shelter, clothing, treatment and other services.
While panhandling is not an illegal activity, aggressive solicitation is against the law*. Aggressive solicitation, defined by Austin City Ordinance 10-1-15, is paraphrased as follows:
- Intentionally or recklessly making any physical contact with or touching another person in the course of the solicitation without the person's consent;
- Following a person being solicited.
- Repetitive solicitation, despite refusals.
- Using abusive or profane language to cause fear or intimidation.
- Intentionally blocking pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Approaching a person in a manner that is likely to cause fear.
* If you are panhandled in an aggressive manner, call 911 to report the incident to the Austin Police Department.
Here are a few suggestions that may help if you are asked for spare change:
• Acknowledge the person, then politely say ?No thank you?.
• If the person is selling an Austin Advocate, consider buying one. This is a legitimate publication written by individuals who are homeless.
GIVE RESPONSIBLY! Make a contribution, or volunteer your time, to one of the organizations listed below that help create ?Real Change? for the homeless.
Capitol Area Homeless Alliance
MHMR ACCESS Program – No Wrong Door, (512) 478-5644
For more information on the Clean and Safe Program contact Bill Brice