oakhillgazette.com
July 25, 2013 Volume 18, No. 14 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
APD Commander:
Citizens key to keeping crime rate low by Joanne Foote
AUSTIN - “Citizen involvement is key to what we do,” said Commander Todd Gage. “Anything we can do to help you live in safe communities is what we want to do, we are all partners.” It looks like the word is spreading. Every chair was full at the South Austin Quarterly Police Commander’s Forum, which was
held on Tuesday, July 23, at the Clinton Hunter police sub-station. “I’ve been stationed here since January. I started in this area 20 years ago and am glad to be back,” said Commander Todd Gage, who began the meeting with Citizen Recognition and Appreciation. Several citizens were acknowledged for things ranging from calling and
reporting an active house burglary, to helping track down the driver responsible for a hit and run accident. “The accident on June 18 involved off-duty Firefighter Colin Camp, who was riding his bicycle in the bike lane on Manchaca Road, just south of Slaughter Lane, and was run over by someone driving a truck in the bike lane. The driver fled, but
Police thank family for stopping hit and run driver
these five people followed him and stayed with the driver until officers arrived and could apprehend the driver. They didn’t blow off the situation,” said Gage. “Reginald Williams and other family members who witnessed the hit and run accident pursued the driver responsible and maintained contact with him until police arrived.” An area fire chief was on hand and added, “This was a tragic accident all the way around and unfortunately our firefighter is still in grave con-
dition, but the fact that the individual responsible for the accident was apprehended because of your actions. It is certainly appreciated by the family as well as the Austin Fire Department.” “There are a few things I want to discuss before we break into smaller groups. Right now the Austin City Council is going through the Budget Process for 2013-2014,” said Gage. “APD has submitted a budget proposal asking for an additional 92 See CITIZENS on page 11
City traffic project to help Brodie bottleneck by Bobbie Jean Sawyer AUSTIN - The city of Austin has authorized a contract for traffic improvements in Southwest Austin. The project, which includes the construction of a nearly mile-long, fourlane roadway, is designed to alleviate bottleneck traffic along Brodie Lane, Davis Lane and Deer Lane. The 0.8 mile roadway will include a raised center median, bike lanes and sidewalks on the eastbound and westbound sides. The divided
Reginald Williams, (right) , was one of several family members who witnessed the hit and run accident on June 18, which involved an off-duty firefighter. The family pursued the driver responsible and maintained contact with him until police arrived. Their efforts resulted in an arrest of the driver who hit the cyclist. They all received special acknowledgment from both police and firefighters. - Photo by Joanne Foote
arterial will replace the two-lane section of Deer Lane with a fourlane section, which will align with Davis Lane east of Brodie and match the existing four-lane to the west. The roadway will also provide a connection from Brodie Lane to Corran Ferry. George Jackson, city of Austin project manager for the roadway, said the expansion of Deer Lane to four lanes would decrease the curSee CITY TRAFFIC on page 20