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Violent crime, and office retirements surge in Austin after defund the police vote
Austin has seen a spike in violent crime and officer retirements after the city council voted over the summer to immediately slash $20 million from the police department budget, becoming the first major Texas city to do so.
In August, Austin City Council members voted unanimously to cut about $150 million, or roughly one-third, from its police department and allocate those funds to areas like violence prevention, housing and mental health services.
About $21.5 million was immediately removed from the department's funding in part by canceling three upcoming cadet classes and slashing overtime expenses.
"It is demoralizing for the officers. It is angering for the citizens because they're having to wait longer for officers to get the calls. And it's unsafe for citizens and officers," Austin Police Association President Bill Cassidy told Fox News.
Austin has seen a spike in violent crime and officer retirements after the city council voted over the summer to immediately slash $20 million from the police department budget, becoming the first major Texas city to do so.
In August, Austin City Council members voted unanimously to cut about $150 million, or roughly one-third, from its police department and allocate those funds to areas like violence prevention, housing and mental health services.
About $21.5 million was immediately removed from the department's funding in part by canceling three upcoming cadet classes and slashing overtime expenses.
"It is demoralizing for the officers. It is angering for the citizens because they're having to wait longer for officers to get the calls. And it's unsafe for citizens and officers," Austin Police Association President Bill Cassidy told Fox News.
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