Property crimes have become a reoccurring problem for some Southwest Austin residents due to a number of reasons, including homelessness and complacency.
Officer Joshua Visi, district representative for the Austin Police Department sector which covers a portion of Southwest Austin, addressed a few public safety concerns during a community meeting Wednesday evening at the All Saints Presbyterian Church. Visi said the problems aren’t exclusive to any one neighborhood and are being experienced throughout the area.
Here are six takeaways from Wednesday's meeting:
- Undeveloped property is a vehicle for transients or homeless people seeking a place to "camp" out: There is a lot of undeveloped land in Southwest Austin, Visi said. Law enforcement can enforce the public camping statute but cannot issue citations on private properties without consent from the landowner, Visi said. A lot of the time the landowner doesn't live in the city or sometimes the country, delaying the process.
- Complacency is an easy target for criminals: Don't make yourself an easy target. Locking all doors, removing perceived valuables from vehicles and closing garage doors are a few simple ways to address the issue.
- Underreporting of crime: Don't wait to report a crime. Report a potential crime even if it seems minuscule. Without a report, there is no data to support the need for the resources to address the issue.
- There are multiple ways to report a crime: If a crime is in progress, dial 911. Crimes that are considered "cold" or not in progress can be reported via the 311 hotline. Crimes can also be filed online or through the 311 App.
- Create a neighborhood watch program: Implement a program for the neighborhood that helps prevent crime and keeps everyone safe. APD offers neighborhood watch training programs.
- Install layers of protection: Installing security systems makes the home or business less of a target.
"[The best way to help is to] look out of each other, report crime and reduce your chance of becoming a victim," Visi said.
