[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534033,"mediaKeyId","3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511","parentId",3640460,"title","City auditor flags ALPR audit gaps and vendor contract risks; commission approves recommendation with amendment","audioSeconds",267,"startMs",2438000,"endMs",2705000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511&start=2438&end=2705","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511/thumbnail_2438000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534033/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-auditor-flags-ALPR-audit-gaps-and-vendor-contract-risks-commission-approves-recommendation-with-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534033-6d248515af49a96dd6c32b8987912fed/orig.mp4?Expires=1775649909&Signature=dTEIyPKdVfcu-obLMbKB1QT3~E466L4uRJdrAe~lfNqhwJ6iHekSMPpzjlhRucrc0HPJPHmyF1XsCF6yLLX2FXE5peIS8IqNGMkzPrCAUUulaWSLycmm7QVv6KqWYdAjduZAg~Kh5sPebsy7Pn4rvdpUTTJzRYzb4AFk2U~RutaM5VeJzdIxl0iUeV~WR6wUiTEe-Sc-GRPWZaKNm6cgRr1IXt2wiCY~mtXMRcnI3pKsntucNoKcIkCrWA~1BN9ypB-zNept1jkTQEYokffxOgIOfWcN-6juRDU4QL-Oqseas4O3vPT2Dq~SoldNsxu~t~QZFG2bxf7yHpVbKs7LTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-06-02T00:00:00Z","article","The City Auditor’s office presented an audit of Austin Police Department automated license plate reader (ALPR) operations and found that APD risk management’s quarterly audits generally complied with policy but needed stronger formalization, scheduling and role definition. The auditor also flagged potential contract language that could allow a vendor to retain or share anonymized metadata indefinitely unless the contract is tightened.

Jake Perry, the auditor in charge of the ALPR project, told the commission that the audit covered the ALPR trial period beginning March 2024 through December 2024 and that APD provided a fourth quarterly risk‑management audit on May 21, 2025. Perry said APD’s metadata had gaps that prevented precise verification of some totals and that the audit verified approximately 17,000,000 scanned plate events in the trial period but noted the metadata caveats. The audit found about 133 prosecutions tied to ALPR outcomes during the covered period, six instances of data sharing, and three “unjustified” stops identified in quarter four (stops that did not match resolution‑sanctioned reasons); zero unjustified stops appeared in the first three quarters.

Perry recommended APD automate data pulls and anonymization where possible, adopt a written and consistent audit schedule, clearly define staff roles for auditing and formalize user‑compliance reviews so that officers’ documented reasons for ALPR use meet policy and resolution requirements. He also recommended that APD regularly report audit results to relevant stakeholders on a set schedule.

The audit included a contract observation: the city’s agreement with vendor Flock Safety, as written, used broad language allowing the vendor to retain and use “aggregated data” and did not define anonymization or personally identifiable information in a way the auditors considered sufficiently specific. The auditors said they observed no evidence that vendor data had been shared improperly, but they cautioned the contract language could allow broader retention or sharing unless tightened.

Commissioners pressed APD staff on who reviews camera locations, the chain of custody for metadata and whether regional partners or federal actors can access city data through vendor systems. APD staff and risk managers said the department has not identified improper external access and that formal requests for data provided during the trial period followed the resolution’s limited purposes (for example, investigations into homicide, human‑trafficking or stolen vehicles). APD said it will continue discussions with vendors and legal staff to tighten contract language.

The commission then considered a recommendation based on the audit and debate. Commissioners amended the draft recommendation to change a factual line about the number of scans; the amendment replaced a draft figure (75,000,000 scans) with 117,000,000 scans in the recommendation language. A vote to adopt the recommendation as amended passed on a show of hands: six in favor, zero opposed, one abstention. The recommendation language and the audit report will be provided to council for the work session on the item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Public Safety Commission - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city auditor’s ALPR audit found generally compliant quarterly audits but recommended formalizing schedules and roles; it also raised a contract concern about vendor metadata retention. The Public Safety Commission voted to approve a recommendation (6 yes, 1 abstain) and amended the scan‑count number in the recommendation language.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534037,"City auditor finds APD recruiting strategy lacks measurable pipeline; department outlines youth and data steps",514,1822000,2336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511&start=1822&end=2336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511/thumbnail_1822000.jpg","/articles/6534037/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-auditor-finds-APD-recruiting-strategy-lacks-measurable-pipeline-department-outlines-youth-and-data-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534037-00785feaad445ffef355ca35756cacdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775649909&Signature=SSus44~6m-byYYZHEt23fKAgLTwc4Co5e7baYrTEVgETA2Ion9vmWw6fhAUHwYuPxuvNKr6J51sbPd47SemmKPZ-SK9k2ii7OLLUb55QM-aP9X9sVQFlHzNIRNFBK-~CrfTLCxQfwmC67Yp7L5IC0WIJkMoWEn4~nRq81F13uZro2JXE5qGaZWklu2ywrZHXP3eKjyvjebKGLRfPjf7x9O2e0s0yLFp~ydhDZrIvC3HcW3EmN9fQL0b9qJi4ldrUznoPETaLpKX8-7ByMk~8Dw-TB8GMRP6wKfLOCSMgRqVadUOtP4ktuiIzu9PB3CM9SUC-E25JSijCctNsaMfwAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Auditor Corey Stokes and audit manager Kathy Harrison presented an audit of Austin Police Department recruiting and hiring to the Public Safety Commission, concluding the department’s recruitment strategy lacked measurable objectives and sustained pipelines to produce sworn applicants.

Kathy Harrison summarized the audit objectives and scope, saying auditors examined recruiting and hiring from roughly 2020 through 2024 and evaluated whether APD recruited “effectively, efficiently and equitably.” The auditors’ primary findings were that APD’s recruitment strategy did not include measurable targets or a robust set of coordinated pipeline programs and that the department relied on a small set of recruiting activities rather than a formalized, sustained pipeline of internships, apprenticeships and repeated outreach. The auditors recommended four actions, including a data‑driven recruitment plan, improved data reliability, coordinated social‑media outreach and expanded applicant exploration programs (internships or apprenticeships).

APD Chief of Staff Robin Henderson delivered the department’s response. Henderson said APD is authorized 1,816 sworn positions and reported 332 vacancies as of May 28, 2025. She told commissioners that staffing and hiring were affected during the audit period by a pause in cadet classes, an earlier contract lapse and elevated attrition. Henderson said the department has resumed regular cadet classes, is updating standard operating procedures and plans to hire a professional data analyst to improve recruitment data and decision making. APD also said it is expanding recruiting outreach to women‑focused institutions and historically Black colleges and universities and plans a youth‑focused grant program that will engage about 60 Austin‑area youth aged 16 to 18 to co‑design recruiting and mentoring approaches.

Commissioners asked why the audit did not examine academy attrition; the auditor’s office said the audit scope focused on entry into the pipeline and suggested academy retention could be a topic for a future audit. Commissioners also asked about whether civilian HR professionals should play a larger role in recruiting; APD said city HR liaisons participate in executive and command meetings and that recruiting staff receive HR support.

No formal commission action was taken on the audit itself during the meeting. Commissioners asked the auditor’s office to consider follow‑up work on academy retention and to monitor APD’s implementation of the audit recommendations.","The City Auditor reported that the Austin Police Department’s recruitment strategy lacked measurable objectives and sustained pipelines; APD responded with expanded outreach, SOP updates and a youth grant program.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534042,"Austin‑Travis County EMS reports vacancies easing, expands Narcan distribution and plans ambulance automatic‑aid rollout",308,449000,757000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511&start=449&end=757","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511/thumbnail_449000.jpg","/articles/6534042/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/AustinTravis-County-EMS-reports-vacancies-easing-expands-Narcan-distribution-and-plans-ambulance-automaticaid-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534042-679a3ba800dd903d2e360237d0aac426/orig.mp4?Expires=1775649909&Signature=Ikosz-GQX0SilRDvKdMwTfjA-DBg9TLONwaK8sXfRuW9hhvmzUjh7fSoL4NtFW4j7jM6eAVkXoNids2w4V6B76pWQ8tyohcULDoOdfYWo4pgODnaqkfem-VuPAGHNmlFKuwfzplKrHK7cJxzZagWcUQQadK8s3y85-vvNkLNzNp2hU2mC5GYuvcdRKgt2YujMZfrU1TjwB--mPjTUXGLynPbqKRymYBHSYG0WE1M2ZskCQaehEjdhvBlp7h7nNiSBoiKYWE9el3l4Xmeq9Ajv0oVyE7yGgTXIuHiJDzmaajiKdOqnOi6PPz6XTFNwt562A0QiuqticpcyvNSUo5cpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wes Hopkins, chief of staff for Austin‑Travis County Emergency Medical Services, told the Austin Public Safety Commission that EMS staffing is improving but vacancies remain.

“Current EMS department staffing authorized strength is 714. Field sworn is 626,” Hopkins said during the commission’s quarterly update. He reported sworn vacancies have declined from prior quarters and described retirements concentrated among longer‑tenured employees as well as separations in the one‑to‑five‑year range.

Hopkins said the department distributed 3,227 Narcan rescue kits in fiscal‑year 2025 Q2, up from about 2,000 kits in Q1. The department is tracking opioid alerts and geolocation heat maps to target outreach and harm‑reduction distribution; Hopkins said March 2025 registered the lowest number of opioid alerts since September 2021 but the agency is preparing for a typical summer rise.

Hopkins described a planned ambulance automatic‑aid interlocal agreement to dispatch the closest 911 ambulance across jurisdictions, similar to existing fire automatic aid. The agreement would include Austin‑Travis County EMS, several Emergency Services Districts (ESDs), Pflugerville Fire Department, Lago Vista Fire Department and Williamson County EMS. Hopkins said Williamson County’s recent computer‑aided dispatch migration and other technology upgrades are enabling the project and the department is targeting a go‑live date in March 2026.

On staffing development, Hopkins corrected a slide mislabeling and described recent and upcoming cadet classes: the class graduated March 28; a July academy (class 7/25) will start July 14; and a later academy (class 10/25) is planned. Hopkins said the department’s internal paramedic program has produced medics who recently passed national registry and are moving into clinical‑specialist roles, which will shift vacancy counts in future quarterly reports.

Hopkins also reviewed facilities work tied to the 2018 bond: five new joint fire/EMS stations are complete, several other stations have been replaced or renovated, and three bond projects remain (EMS stations noted in the transcript as Station 1, Station 5 and Station 10). He said one downtown station (EMS Station 3) requires deferred‑maintenance renovation because it is currently located in a parking garage that constrains operations.

Hopkins closed with nonoperational highlights including awards for dispatch staff and an annual EMS awards ceremony. Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about automatic‑aid operations, Williamson County staffing models and invitations for commissioners to attend award or graduation events.","At the Public Safety Commission, Austin‑Travis County EMS reported progress on staffing, a large increase in Narcan distribution, new ambulance automatic‑aid planning with Williamson County and ESDs, upcoming academies, and remaining 2018 bond station projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534047,"Resident tells Public Safety Commission he has been harassed by APD officers for years",139,81000,220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511&start=81&end=220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640460-87bd892b982746a69689eba7d0546511/thumbnail_81000.jpg","/articles/6534047/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Resident-tells-Public-Safety-Commission-he-has-been-harassed-by-APD-officers-for-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534047-566b414b9b45f08c1bebaafdc5b81a35/orig.mp4?Expires=1775649909&Signature=S5yWWggbr4OC65d70NaJywo3--7Pj1W9yX2D2foTwtLbFMCfTCjqV6FM9f2NH5DIvglRORmORvE9ldfOLy70obEurmPaitjo4Fqt3462VNX9uWZFXSpgTT8CzKLByjQO-4quxgV64zjMd2ssu18OCIIy9lcYw1CXoix1GCK8wMh33Idt1u7QiV0XdGaDh76jZFeVJZMUlDvc5lX8LMRIyDU4K5OXWcXpn7jXwr6a8JO6pFM9umD-KsTeih6hsj-3rf4r9t1ldKd-khXaRTmEd3XKjtD7uANAOv3FbvnTxKz1iulOfM4eCDilItS9OwoMU6olpSZZiZjicGh05OA~4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ruben Rivera‑Clemente senior told the Austin Public Safety Commission during public comment that he has been harassed and targeted by members of the Austin Police Department for more than 20 years.

Rivera‑Clemente said he has filed complaints with multiple oversight entities and elected officials and sought help from federal authorities. “I have done literally everything to stop this corruption,” he said. “Stop harassing me. Stop vandalizing my car. Stop stealing something from my apartment, and they know I’m right.”

He described repeated contacts with local internal affairs and external bodies, naming the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, the city’s police monitor and multiple police chiefs by surname. Rivera‑Clemente told commissioners he has provided emails and letters to city leaders and local media and said he would be willing to take the matter to court. “This is the truth. The truth that I’m willing to go to court,” he said.

A commission member asked Rivera‑Clemente to confirm his name and the neighborhood he lives in; Rivera‑Clemente replied that he resides “by, Chila Bella’s area.” The chair then asked whether there were any additional public comments; none were offered.

The commission did not take formal action on Rivera‑Clemente’s comments during the meeting. Rivera‑Clemente’s remarks were recorded as public comment and are part of the meeting record.

The commission’s meeting later proceeded to scheduled agenda items, including quarterly reports and audits.","At the commission meeting, Ruben Rivera‑Clemente senior delivered a public comment alleging long‑running harassment, vandalism and theft by members of the police department and said he has pursued complaints with local and federal oversight bodies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City auditor flags ALPR audit gaps and vendor contract risks; commission approves recommendation with amendment

City auditor finds APD recruiting strategy lacks measurable pipeline; department outlines youth and data steps

Austin‑Travis County EMS reports vacancies easing, expands Narcan distribution and plans ambulance automatic‑aid rollout

Resident tells Public Safety Commission he has been harassed by APD officers for years