The October Downtown Safety Forum brought together downtown stakeholders for important updates from the Austin Fire Department (AFD) and Austin Police Department (APD), with a focus on elevator emergencies, public safety reporting, parking enforcement and preparations for major downtown events. The forum also covered Halloween safety operations, Formula 1 weekend and upcoming events expected to bring increased activity downtown.
View the full safety forum presentation here.
Austin Fire Department: Elevator Rescue and Emergency Response
Austin Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Krcmarik provided an overview of how firefighters respond to elevator emergencies and what building occupants and property managers can do to assist.
With thousands of elevators throughout Austin, AFD responds to elevator emergencies regularly. Most calls involve occupants trapped in stalled elevators, and approximately 90% of elevator emergencies are resolved through relatively straightforward rescue methods.
When responding to an elevator emergency, firefighters coordinate with building management, maintenance personnel and elevator technicians to assess the situation and safely remove occupants. More complicated rescues may require specialized equipment and additional technical rescue personnel.
AFD also shared several recommendations for anyone trapped in an elevator:
- Remain calm. A stalled elevator is inconvenient but rarely presents an immediate danger.
- Use the elevator’s emergency phone or call 911 to request assistance.
- Follow instructions from emergency responders.
- Avoid attempting to force open the doors or exit the elevator without assistance.
Building representatives can help expedite response efforts by providing information about the elevator’s location, mechanical issues and whether an elevator technician has been contacted.
Austin Police Department: When to Call 911 vs. 311
Lieutenant Eric Cleveland of APD’s Downtown Area Command provided guidance on reporting public safety concerns and determining when to contact 911 versus 311.
Call 911 when:
- A crime is in progress or there is an immediate threat to people or property.
- A suspect is still on the scene.
- A suspect has left the scene but remains in the immediate area.
Call 311 when:
- A suspect is no longer present.
- A significant amount of time has passed since the incident.
- There is no immediate danger or ongoing emergency.
Residents and businesses can also file reports online for eligible nonemergency offenses. Online reporting is available to individuals age 17 and older who have a valid email address and whose incident meets APD’s reporting criteria.
For more information, visit APD’s online reporting portal.
Parking Enforcement and Towing Updates
APD shared updates on parking restrictions in the Sixth Street entertainment district, particularly along Neches Street.
The 500 block of Neches Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets is subject to weekend towing restrictions, with additional changes planned for the portion between Fifth Street and the south alley. The restrictions apply from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Illegal parking in designated no-parking and tow-away zones along Sixth Street remains an ongoing concern. To address the issue, Austin Transportation and Public Works plans to install additional white delineators to create physical barriers and discourage vehicles from entering restricted parking areas.
These measures are intended to improve traffic management, pedestrian safety and emergency access in the entertainment district.
Street Closures and Pedestrian Safety
APD also explained how the department determines when temporary street closures are necessary in high-traffic entertainment areas.
Rather than closing streets solely because sidewalks are crowded, APD evaluates whether pedestrian volumes have exceeded the sidewalk’s ability to safely accommodate people.
When crowds become so dense that pedestrians must enter vehicle travel lanes to move safely, street closures may be implemented.
APD also discussed the use of Meridian barriers to prevent vehicles from entering pedestrian areas during safety closures. These barriers are paired with traffic barricades and include designated openings for pedestrians and accessible access.
Cyclists and scooter riders are encouraged to use caution when approaching these barriers, as not all access points are designed for bicycle or scooter traffic.
Halloween 2026 Public Safety Operations
With Halloween expected to draw large crowds to the Sixth Street entertainment district, APD outlined its coordinated public safety plan for Saturday, October 31.
Traffic closures were scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., covering portions of the entertainment district between the I-35 southbound frontage road and Brazos Street, and Fifth through Seventh Streets.
Fifth, Seventh and Eighth Streets, along with Red River Street, Brazos Street and the I-35 frontage road, were designated to remain open to vehicle traffic.
The Halloween safety plan included a coordinated response involving APD, Austin-Travis County EMS, AFD, fire marshals and PACE teams.
Public safety resources included:
- Foot, bicycle, ATV and vehicle patrols throughout the district.
- Rapid-response police and EMS units.
- Motorcycle and specialized EMS vehicles.
- A medical treatment and triage trailer within the public safety zone.
- Joint-agency rapid-response teams for serious emergencies.
The coordinated operations were designed to support pedestrian safety, emergency access and efficient response times during one of downtown’s busiest nights.
Formula 1 Weekend and Upcoming Downtown Events
The forum also highlighted preparations for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, held October 22–25 at Circuit of The Americas, and the additional entertainment activity scheduled throughout downtown.
Several Formula 1-related events were planned, including nightly F1 parties at Mayfair Nightclub and a live podcast event at ACL Live.
Other major events and conferences scheduled for late October and November included the Austin Film Festival, Viva la Vida Fest, the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center’s 2026 Americas Fall Summit, and several professional association conferences.
These events contribute to downtown’s visitor activity and reinforce the importance of coordinated public safety operations during the busy fall season.
Downtown Holiday Campaign
The Downtown Austin Alliance also shared details about its upcoming ATX Holidays campaign, running November 23 through January 4.
Downtown businesses were invited to participate by submitting holiday promotions, events and activations to be featured through the campaign, helping connect visitors and residents with seasonal experiences throughout downtown. Email communication@downtownaustin.com to participate.
Join the Next Downtown Safety Forum
The next Downtown Safety Forum is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
The Downtown Safety Forum provides an opportunity for downtown stakeholders to hear directly from public safety officials and community partners, learn about ongoing initiatives and ask questions about issues affecting Downtown Austin.