73391
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.
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.
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.
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 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⟶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
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
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.
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
September 2024 Safety Forum Recap
On September 19, the Downtown Austin Alliance hosted its monthly, virtual Safety Forum, where officials provided updates on safety, crime data and upcoming initiatives impacting downtown Austin. Austin Police Department update Austin Police Department Commander Craig Smith shared the latest...
Learn More⟶August 2024 Safety Forum Recap
On August 15, the Downtown Austin Alliance hosted its virtual Safety Forum, a monthly meeting in collaboration with public officials to provide the downtown community information on downtown safety, crime trends data, safety initiatives and more. Austin Police Department Updates...
Learn More⟶July Safety Forum Recap
On July 18, the Downtown Austin Alliance hosted its virtual Safety Forum, a monthly meeting in collaboration with various officials to provide downtown safety updates and crime data and discuss upcoming safety initiatives and more. Downtown Austin Crime Updates...
Learn More⟶