oakhillgazette.com
June 25, 2015 Volume 20, No. 13 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
APD District Representatives program put on simulated chopping block by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - An item Austin police say is “the keystone of our community policing program” was put on the city’s Service Reduction Plan when city departments were asked to show ways to reduce each budget by 2.5 percent. The District Representative program is currently listed under “Potential Service Reductions” for the Austin Police Department (APD). Eliminating that program, as well as its Office of Community Liaison and the positions in Highway Enforce-
ment, would result in a net savings of nearly $8.7 million. Created in 1998, the District Representative (DR) program creates liaisons between Austin neighborhoods and APD regional commands. District Representatives attend neighborhood association meetings to answer questions and assist in solving non-emergency problems. The DR program gives communities a go-to person on the police force to resolve concerns and, when needed, enhance patrol efforts.
Assistant Chief Brian Manley, chief of staff to Police Chief Art Acevedo, told the Gazette, “This was a budget reduction exercise.” Difficult decisions had to be made when more than 90 percent of the APD budget goes to salary, he explained. “Our focus was on front-line patrols, so we had to look at officers in non-patrol assignments,” Chief Manley explained. “Eliminating the District Representative program is not something we want to do, but one of the first programs we would have to eliminate.”
Inside: Our 20th annual Meet Your Merchants special section
He stressed that the current reduction list is just an exercise and does not diminish the value APD places on this successful program. “It is the keystone of our community policing efforts,” he said. Austin Councilmember Ellen Troxclair represents Oak Hill in District 8. She assured the Gazette that the DR program is safe. She said, “I do not believe anyone is considering eliminating APD’s District Representatives. In fact, I think the Council and City Management would strongly oppose that idea.” See APD on p. 12
Gazette: Joanne Foote
Officer Jeffrey Binder is an Oak Hill area District Representative, along with Officer Joshua Visi.
Water line move delays CFI at Wm. Cannon by Ann Fowler
Can you guess which local business the above employees work at? Meet the people who make Oak Hill area businesses the successes that they are—this year’s Meet Your Merchants starts on p. 13.
OAK HILL - Commuters awaiting the start of the continuous flow intersection (CFI) at William Cannon and U.S. 290 West will have to wait a little longer. A water line under the roadway has to be moved, according to authorities. CFIs are designed to allow those turning left to do so before the actual intersection, with the goal to save time by eliminating the left-turn cycle. The revised intersection at the ‘Y’ was rolled out last month. People on the local neighborhood social media website NextDoor were quick to express opinions. Patrick Nolan of the Villages of Western Oaks said, “Just went north from Convict Hill to 290 West. Line of sight is confusing, but trust the lights, painted
road lanes and just don’t enter oncoming traffic. Will be more interesting at night.” Jennifer Brinlee wrote, “It looks pretty confusing, so hopefully anyone who doesn’t drive it often will know what to do.” She added, “The one fatal flaw in this plan is that it assumes people won’t stop in the intersections/lanes. So hopefully, people won’t.” Maple Run resident Albert Gonzales wrote, “I am putting a cattle guard in front of my SUV when those lanes open.” The William Cannon CFI is not yet open due to some unexpected work needed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Kelli Reyna, public information officer for the TxDOT Austin District, told the Gazette, See WATER on p. 12