Austin case study: Success of SJ's no-camping zones rides on strong police dept

MaryAnn Martinez at the New York Post writes that despite the Texas capital's ban on public park encampments, Austin is overrun with illegal homeless set-ups from individuals who pose safety risks to others. Why? The city's “Woke” police force is understaffed and, like San Jose's, stretched thin on non-violent crime responses.

Top family destinations in Austin, Texas, have become magnets for the homeless — and the city’s woke policies are preventing cops from doing anything about the illegal scourge, critics say.

People living out of vehicles stuffed with luggage, chairs and other items have been increasingly lining the streets near popular spots such as Zilker Metropolitan Park and Barton Springs Pool, thanks at least in part to the area’s skyrocketing housing prices.

But while local laws do not allow people to live out of parked cars around public green spaces, there aren’t enough police officers to combat the quality-of-life issue — because the liberal city policies have caused cops to flee the department, critics say.

Sick and tired cops are continuing to retire in droves, adding to 264 existing vacancies, according to the Austin Police Association.

The police department is so short-staffed that it disbanded its park patrol months ago — and even 911 calls are now being redirected to the city’s 311 non-emergency number because there aren’t enough officers to respond.

“If you come home and find your home burglarized, calls like that are now going to 311,” police union President Thomas Villarreal told The Post on Tuesday. “You’re not getting a police response to many property crimes if it’s not a violent crime that is currently ongoing.”

That’s left park-goers to fend for themselves.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post. Read the whole thing here.

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