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Austin residents, advocates press council to pass "Safe to Call" protections for 911 callers
Summary
Hundreds of residents and nonprofit leaders urged the Austin City Council to adopt a stakeholder-led "Safe to Call" resolution to limit warrant‑based arrests and strengthen access to emergency services for immigrants, survivors and people with outstanding class C warrants. Supporters cited deportations and family separations; opponents warned of officer safety risks.
Dozens of residents, service providers and advocates filled the Austin City Council chambers on April 23 to urge passage of a "Safe to Call" resolution they say will make it safer for immigrant families, survivors of violence and people with unpaid class C citations to call 911.
Supporters including Rebecca Leitz of American Gateways, community organizers and people with lived experience described arrest and deportation after routine emergency calls and said those incidents discourage people from seeking help. "We need public safety for people who need help but might be scared to ask," testified Catalina Juarez Mendez, recounting detention and family separation she…
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