Government
BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ, HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON
Austin sex crime reforms ongoing after in-depth case review An inaugural review of Austin sex crimes cases is leading to several improvements to police investigations. What happened The analysis conducted by nonpro t End Violence Against Women International followed extensive scrutiny of APD’s mishandling of sex crimes and a nearly $900,000 legal settlement with survivors. Austin Police Department leaders said the review of dozens of cases handled from 2021-22 is a rst in the city, and nationwide, meant to improve police work including interactions with victims. Similar processes and public reporting will now take place annually. “We hope our proactive approach and ongoing e orts to improve the experience and outcome for sexual assault survivors will serve as an example to other units and agencies throughout the nation,” Police Chief Lisa Davis wrote in March. The approach A recent audit of APD’s sexual assault responses called for the case analyses, alongside dozens of other updates. City o cials boosted funding for APD responses and victim services in 2023 including $100,000 for the rst case review. EVAWI credited aspects of APD’s investigations based on “unprecedented” access to case les, and proposed revisions to training, documentation, data collection and communications. Hanna Senko—a plainti the city settled with
Public defenders seeking higher pay Members of the Travis County Public Defender’s O ce told county commission- ers that their initial Counsel at First Appear- ance, or CAFA, investment isn’t enough as sta pay is lower than similar positions in Central Texas and statewide. What happened CAFA—representation post-arrest and during bail-setting regardless of ability to pay—has moved through stops and starts in recent years. County o cials earmarked $15.5 million to expand the program this scal year, funding dozens of new positions. Legal sta packed a late March commis- sioners court meeting to voice concerns over aspects of CAFA’s recent implementation, with public defense advocates said pay dynamics devalue their work. Geo rey Burkhart, county executive for Community Legal Services, said his o ce could use funding from un lled positions to raise salaries and address pay disparities.
Road to reform The Austin Police Department’s work with sex crimes cases has been under city and third-party scrutiny for years.
2019
Jan. 2019: Audit nds Austin police improperly closed rape cases, City Council calls for third-party police review
2020
Jan. 2024: City o cials publicly apologize for mishandling cases Sept. 2023: Council funds case review, Sex Crimes Unit audit Early 2023: Collective Sex Crimes Response Model project launches to oversee reforms Nov. 2022: Third-party evaluation recommends more than 100 changes for sex crime investigations Jan. 2022: Council approves $875,000 settlement with sexual assault survivors with improvement plan
2022
2023
2024
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT
who’s now helping to oversee local reforms—noted the signi cant of the changes for victims. “For any sexual assault survivor, going through the process of reporting can be di cult regardless of how much implementation that we put in place for improvement,” she said. “It’s things like this case review that’s going to ensure that that can occur for every survivor that comes forward, and continue to improve year over year.”
“The future of indigent defense in Travis County is kneecapped when we cannot retain and develop great attorneys.” AMALIA BECKNER, TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Hays County ends Austin Pets Alive! Partnership for pet resource center Hays County will no longer partner with Austin Pets Alive to manage its Pet Resource, Education and Research Center, or PRC. The details APA served as PRC project coordinator since the county agreement, which APA o cials refuted. Judge Ruben Becerra said the county failed APA in providing the organization adequate support for the PRC initiative. The big picture shelter will only operate locally. What’s next
Commissioner Morgan Hammer said she’d still like to work with APA in some capacity, but the contract had to be terminated rst. APA o cials said they do not know if a future contract is guaranteed. The APA and Hays County contract will expire April 26. Becerra said the county will now focus on “prioritizing shelter construction.”
2023. The center’s local eld o ce was set to open in March, but that update is now uncertain after the APA contract was terminated March 25. Commissioner Walt Smith said he was con- cerned about APA meeting deliverables outlined in
APA began partnering with Hays County after a feasibility study found a centrally located resource center would alleviate overcrowding at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter. However, a new agreement between the city and county means the
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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