Austin City Council member sounds alarm on 'disastrous consequences' of defunding police

The Austin Police Department announced it will no longer respond to calls for "non-emergencies" after a cut to the police budget in 2020 led to staffing shortages. Mackenzie Kelly, an Austin City Council member, said the decision to defund the police has led to "disastrous consequences" in the city.

The Austin City Council voted in August 2020 to cut up to $150 million – roughly 34% – from the police budget. By the end of July, Austin reported that the number of homicides in 2021 had already matched the total homicides in all of 2020.

"A lot of what we’re seeing happening starting today is coming home to roost from that decision," Kelly said. "And it’s disastrous."

The city now plans to send social workers to respond to "non-emergency" calls to make up for the lack of available officers.