AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) increased presence in Austin lasted roughly nine months.
The program – called the Austin Violent Crimes Task Force (AVCTF) – launched at the end of March 2023 as an effort to uphold public safety in the city as the police department hit what officials called a “critical” staffing shortage.
In December, DPS announced the end of the AVCTF, citing the need to deploy more resources to the border.
KXAN asked Austin Police Department Interim Chief Robin Henderson this week if she had hoped the initiative would have lasted longer.
“We’re always in the space of being shorthanded, and any time our law enforcement partners are willing to come into the hold to help Austin stay safe and improve safety, I’m very much for that,” she said.
Since staffing issues began, APD has pulled resources from certain specialized units to help backfill patrol shifts. Henderson said it was helpful having DPS as an increased presence in Austin to offset that, but the backfill process was still necessary.