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Hospitality Contacts
Safe & Welcoming Downtown
Request Ambassador ServicesKeeping Downtown Austin Public Spaces Clean, Safe & Welcoming For All
We want people to want to shop, play, eat and do business downtown. That’s why more than 60% of our annual budget goes towards services that help keep downtown a clean, safe and welcoming place to be, 365 days a year.
Who Should I Contact?
Call 512.937.7422:
• General downtown information
• Safety escorts
• Flat tire assistance
• Battery jump
Submit a Service Request:
• Litter removal
• Waste removal
• Graffiti removal
• General cleaning inquiries
• Red Carpet Service
Call 911:
• In the event of an emergency
• To report suspicious behavior
• To report a violation of an ordinance or law in progress
• If a person is in distress
Call 311:
• To report crimes after the fact
• To report infrastructure repairs
Downtown Ambassadors
The Downtown Ambassadors are the cornerstone of our direct services program. Every day our team of approximately 90 ambassadors works from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. cleaning and beautifying downtown. Immediately recognizable in their red shirts, our ambassadors are stewards for downtown and a resource for locals and visitors.
Our Ambassador Priorities
Clean
• Litter and graffiti removal
• Cleaning streets and sidewalks
Safe
• Safety Escorts
• Reporting public disturbances
• Connecting people with social services
Beautiful
• Weed removal
• Painting planters, poles, trash cans and benches
• Beautification of planters and landscaped beds
Welcoming
• Greeting visitors
• Providing information and directions
• Connecting with business owners and residents
Our Impact By The Numbers: 2023-2024
303
Safety Escorts
272834
Pounds of Trash Removed
Downtown Safety Team
We expanded our ambassador services to add a Downtown Safety Team to address non-emergency quality-of-life issues. Downtown Safety Team members conduct early morning patrols around all downtown hotels, request voluntary compliance from those violating city ordinances and provide connections to resources as needed. The program includes bike patrols and overnight security in Republic Square. Downtown Safety Team members can be seen downtown in their fluorescent yellow and black uniform. The bike patrol works 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the mobile patrol in the downtown entertainment districts works from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursdays through Sundays.
Downtown Safety Network
Our Downtown Safety Network keeps downtown property owners and residents updated on important public safety matters and enable them to report issues. Register for text alerts, email alerts and join our monthly safety forums by signing up for the Downtown Safety Network.
Join the Downtown Safety Network⟶Red Carpet Service
Are you showing your property to prospective tenants, owners or investors? Let the Downtown Ambassadors roll out the red carpet! We’ll help ensure the space around your property looks its best with enhanced cleaning, a welcoming presence and attention to every detail. Submit your inquiry via our service request form and select “Red Carpet Program”. Please submit your request at least three business days in advance.
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Ongoing Downtown Safety Initiatives
APD Overtime Patrol & Safety Cameras
We fund an overtime patrol that dedicates two Austin Police Department officers downtown from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. We also provide funds to enhance APD’s public safety camera system, which helps deter and solve crimes.
Learn More About APD Recruiting⟶Republic Square Security
To address increasing property vandalism at Republic Square, we fund an overnight security patrol at the park. Safety Team members monitor the park from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to enforce the city’s parks curfew and deter illegal activity.
Downtown Safety Forums
We host virtual monthly safety forums to invite community members to hear updates on crime trends, safety initiatives, road closures and more. These forums offer an opportunity to interact with leaders from APD and other organizations.
Future Events⟶Bird Patrol
Urban Bird Services patrols downtown nightly to dissuade birds from roosting, using methods that aren't harmful to the birds. This enhances opportunities for sidewalk dining and enjoying public space.
Safety Forum Recaps
Spring Festival Forum 2026
The 2026 Spring Festival Season Forum featured presentations from SXSW, the Austin Police Department, Austin Center for Events, Austin-Travis County EMS, Austin Fire Department, and CapMetro. The presentation includes details about event-related road closures, event dates, and event locations throughout...
Learn More⟶January 2026 Safety Forum Recap
The Downtown Austin Alliance hosted its Downtown Safety Forum on January 15, 2026, bringing together downtown stakeholders, public safety officials and community partners to discuss crime trends, homelessness outreach efforts and key downtown activity expected in early 2026. The forum...
Learn More⟶November 2025 Safety Forum Recap
The Downtown Austin Alliance hosted its Downtown Safety Forum on November 20, 2025, bringing together downtown stakeholders, public safety officials and community partners to share updates on public safety initiatives, construction impacts downtown and upcoming seasonal events. The forum featured...
Learn More⟶