On May 15, the Downtown Austin Alliance hosted its monthly virtual Safety Forum, where officials provided updates on safety, crime data and upcoming initiatives impacting downtown Austin. You may review the slide deck from the presentation here.
Austin Police Department Update: Automated License Plate Readers
Assistant Chief Scott Askew opened the safety forum by highlighting the need for more efficient technology to address public safety challenges in downtown Austin. In response, the Austin Police Department launched a pilot program using automated license plate readers, a camera-based technology that captures and analyzes license plate numbers on passing vehicles. These systems compare scanned plates against law enforcement databases to identify vehicles associated with active investigations such as outstanding warrants or stolen vehicles.
During the pilot phase, APD conducted internal audits and completed a one-year program review with the City Auditor’s Office. Results from the first year show that ALPR’s helped APD recover over 176 stolen vehicles and contributed to 165 arrests. With the backing of the report, APD will seek City Council approval on June 5 to make ALPRs a permanent public safety tool.
Assistant Chief Askew emphasized that the ALPR program is just one part of the department’s broader strategy to enhance safety and crime prevention throughout the city.
HEART Austin Program
Bill Brice, senior vice president of investor relations, shared an update on the HEART Austin program, which transitioned into a permanent status on May 1. The initiative connects individuals experiencing homelessness with housing resources and social services while helping to prevent crises before they escalate.
Brice outlined the program’s expanded scope, which now offers coverage six days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Within the Public Improvement District, the Downtown Austin Alliance is providing additional support through a dedicated team operating Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., enhancing the program’s reach during daytime hours.
Downtown Unsheltered Homeless Count
Brandon Fahy, director of public space experience at the Downtown Austin Alliance, shared results from the recent unsheltered homeless count on April 23. The count identified an estimated 469 individuals living unsheltered downtown, an 8% increase from February.
Fahy noted that the highest concentrations were located along East Sixth Street, Congress Avenue and near Republic Square. Despite the increase, the number of tents and vehicles used for shelter remains significantly lower than pre-ordinance levels.
Downtown Dashboard
Fahy also shared the latest Downtown Dashboard metrics, highlighting ongoing efforts to maintain a clean, welcoming and responsive environment.
April 2025 data:
Join Us for More
The next Downtown Austin Safety Forum is scheduled for Thursday, June 19 at 8:30 a.m. Register for the event here.