Round Rock & Williamson County
QUOTE OF NOTE
Officials approve purchase of new SWAT robot
Round Rock City Council Meets July 12 at 7:30 a.m. and July 14 at 6 p.m. 216 E. Main St., Round Rock 512-218-5401 www.roundrocktexas.gov Williamson County Commissioners Court Meets July 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 9:30 a.m. at 710 S. Main St., Georgetown. 512-943-1550 www.wilco.org MEETINGS WE COVER COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS WILLIAMSON COUNTY The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a countywide burn ban June 21 to protect against severe drought conditions, above-average heat and high winds that create dangerous wildfire conditions. The ban extends for up to 90 days and prohibits the burning of household yard waste, such as leaves and other yard trimmings. It also prohibits burning to clear land of trees, stumps, shrubbery, other natural vegetation and other types of debris. source of the leak is likely overflow from a manhole upstream from the East Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant. City staff are still working to determine how long the overflow drained into the creek and total volume of the discharge. “SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE KILLING US WITH THE DELAYS.” RICK ATKINS, PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, ON REPAIRS BEING MADE TO THE CLAY MADSEN RECREATION CENTER FOLLOWING A MARCH 21 TORNADO NUMBER TO KNOW The number of people estimated to live within Round Rock city limits as of June, according to the Round Rock Planning and Development Services Department 124,756 CITY HIGHLIGHTS ROUND ROCK A news release from the city of Round Rock states a contractor error is believed to be the cause of an unauthorized discharge of raw sewage into Brushy Creek on June 17. The
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
ROUND ROCK Officials approved the purchase of a new special weap- ons and tactics robot during a June 9 City Council meeting. On June 7 at a City Council packet briefing, Police Chief Allen Banks said the city has relied on the SWAT robots of neighbors such as Cedar Park in emergencies where they are necessary. SWAT robots climb stairs, video the inside of a building and allow law enforcement to commu- nicate with suspects in emergency situations, particularly armed suspects. For several years, the Round Rock Police Department has been without a SWAT robot, as its own is inopera- ble, Banks said. “This council has been very supportive of us, as in the police department,” Banks said. “We currently have drones; we’re utilizing a lot of technology to help us in our jobs, keep our officers safe and also [protect] our citizens.” The $67,004.03 cost of the SWAT robot will be paid through the city’s law enforcement fund. Banks said Cedar Park assisted with the use of its SWAT robot as recently as May, when an active shooter near Old Settlers Boulevard prompted responses from several local and state law enforcement agencies. The incident was fatal to a Round Rock resident who is alleged to have opened fire on authorities, and the Round Rock Police Department’s investigation is ongoing, Banks said. SWAT BOT The SWAT robot approved for purchase by the council will have multiple uses in the department: • providing a visual of sequestered suspects for police; • allowing police to communicate with suspects from a distance; and • allowing law enforcement to inspect the inside of a structure without physically entering. SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • JULY 2022
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