Austin Downtown Rangers
In 1994, the Austin Downtown Rangers program was formed as a joint venture between the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Police Department.
The Rangers are citizen staff of the Austin Police Department. They do not carry weapons nor do they have the authority to make arrests. The purpose of the Rangers program is to enhance public safety by providing additional "eyes and ears" to the Austin Police Department. Their visible presence in the Public Improvement District acts as a crime deterrent. The Rangers have the authority to request voluntary compliance for minor infractions of the law, such as public order violations.
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 the Public Improvement District — an area of more than two hundred square blocks — on bike, on foot and in a patrol truck from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sundays.
The Downtown Austin Alliance and the City of Austin contribute the funding necessary to support the Austin Downtown Rangers. 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 Austin's downtown Public Improvement District.