AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department hopes to enter a new era with a plan launched by its newest police chief.
Chief Lisa Davis said she hopes to address the department's staffing shortage, crime prevention, and community trust within that timeframe.
In a one-on-one interview with KVUE's Kelsey Sanchez, Davis said she plans to tackle all of this by listening first.
"I have to hear what's important to other people, and you can't just assume those things," said Davis. "We have many different neighborhoods throughout Austin, and they're each unique. So what is that neighborhood's particular issue? What is important to them for them to want the police to know?"
Retaining more officers and tackling 911 response times
Davis said the new police contract approved and signed by the city of Austin and the Austin Police Association helps move the needle. The five-year contract is worth more than $218 million.
According to Davis, aside from doing outreach at community centers and college campuses, and targeting a younger crowd, the contract allows the department to cast a larger net by making recruitment efforts out of state.
"It has just opened the door," said Davis.
The latest APD data shows that in September, the department's average emergency response time was 12 minutes and 6 seconds, which is more than a minute over its target goal of 10 minutes and 44 seconds.
Davis told KVUE those wait times are "not tolerable."
"How do we change that? One is looking at the amount of people that we have on patrol. I think currently we have over 538 on patrol. Do we need to increase that? And how does that look?" said Davis.
In areas where there has been a lack of patrol, Davis noted that there needs to be a strategy to address neighborhoods with higher crime levels.
"We can start being precise about where we're going. With the officers that we have there, if we're making these changes and addressing these problems, that's going to free up officers to put in those other locations where they need to be," said Davis.
Gaining community trust
A major factor in the 100-day plan is a listening campaign. Davis was sworn in back in October and was hired in September.
In that timeframe, she said she's listened and learned, but she needs more to go on.
"Building trust is a two-way street, and we have to be heard and we have to listen, and I'm willing to do that," said Davis.
Part of the effort will include engagement and outreach. That includes town halls, ride-alongs, and business and community gatherings, as well as working with community organizations.
"I want to hear who I should be talking to. So when [Austinites] talk about community groups that I need to be listening to," said Davis. "When [Austinites] tell me, I'm going to follow up with them and hear what they have to say."
An online survey was launched on the city's website to gain feedback. Davis said she also wants to hear from officers' families about what they're dealing with.
After 100 days
Davis said once they collect input and data, the real work will begin. The next step will be to bring everything to the table and come up with strategies and solutions.
"I'm excited to hear what [Austinites] have to say—good, bad, ugly, all of it. I want to hear it because you're not going to hurt my feelings. We don't move past things and we don't grow if we don't know what we're dealing with," said Davis.
However optimistic, Davis said the work will continue past the 100 days.
"I'm not going to solve everything. We're not going to solve everything. But working together, we can solve a lot," said Davis.
As for who Davis is, she said she likes to talk to people, get to know them, and enjoy what the capital city has to offer as she takes on this new feat.
"It's just a great culture here," said Davis.