Committee hears update on Capital Metro hires, community care specialists; questions about jurisdiction and training

Vice Chair Elizabeth Meyer told the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities on Friday that the Austin Transit Partnership Community Advisory Committee learned Capital Metro has hired nine officers as it creates a transit police force, and that the agency is seeking to expand a small corps of community care specialists who provide outreach to people in the system.

"They have hired 9 officers," Meyer said, and committee members noted Capital Metro is also trying to increase the number of community care specialists — staffers Meyer described as social workers who go into the community, offer water, talk to people and connect them with resources.

Committee members asked whether the committee should invite Capital Metro or council members who sit on its board to brief the committee on how the new officers will be used and what training they will receive. Members also noted a jurisdictional limit: Capital Metro is not a city department, which constrains the committee’s formal authority over its policies.

The committee asked staff to pursue contacts and consider inviting Capital Metro representatives or city council members who serve on the Capital Metro board to a future meeting to discuss safety, accessibility and training for people with disabilities on transit.