Austin police in Texas are asking residents to call 311 if they are robbed near an ATM as the department struggles amid rising city crime and understaffing.
The Austin Police Department posted a graphic on X, formerly known as Twitter, to urge residents to call 311 or make a report online if they’ve been robbed — 311 is the number typically used for non-emergency requests, as opposed to 911.
“Even if you are careful & follow all safety advice, you may still be the unfortunate victim of a robbery,” wrote the Austin Police Department at X. “Do you know what your next step should be?”
“File a police report & provide as much information as possible so we can recover your property quickly and safely,” the post added.
The graphic includes advice to mention the bank in a 311 report and include the date and time of cash withdrawal.
The new protocol comes as the Texas capital struggles with rising crime.
Compared to 2020, Austin has experienced a 77% increase in vehicle thefts, an 18% increase in aggravated assaults and a 30% increase in homicides.
Police in Austin, Texas are asking residents to call 311 if they are robbed near an ATM as the department struggles amid staff shortages. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Compared to 2020, Austin experienced a 77% increase in vehicle thefts, an 18% increase in aggravated assaults and a 30% increase in homicides. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Austin Police Association President Thomas Villarreal told “Fox & Friends” in August that the department is sorely lacking the resources it needs to deal with crime.
“We’re a growing city, a city that should have about 2,000 employees and growing right now,” Villarreal said. “I have about 1,475 officers in our police department and, you know, we’re moving in the wrong direction. There are fewer and fewer resources to go out and do that work.”
“I have detectives pulled from their caseloads to help answer 911 calls because we don’t have the resources to adequately police the city,” the union president added.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
