February 23, 2012

Buda Police Celebrate One-Year Mark 

The Austin suburb of Buda celebrated the one-year anniversary of its newly established police force, Wednesday, October 18, 2011.

In 2006, Buda had more than 4,000 residents but no police officers, the Austin American-Statesman reports. Four Hays County Sheriff’s deputies and one captain ensured public safety for the small town southwest of Austin.  

By paying the county for salaries, benefits and equipment, the city was able to save on the cost of communication systems and other infrastructure. At the time, the Buda City Council and mayor were reluctant to establish the town’s own police force, according to the Statesman, because of the estimated $1 million start up cost.

Then in February of 2010, City Manager Kenneth Williams hired Chief Bo Kidd, a 15-year veteran of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office to help build Buda’s first police department.

In its first year, the city was able to spend about $15,000 less to create its own police department than it was paying the county during the final year of its contract, Williams told the Statesman.

The addition of the 9-officer police department comes at a time when Buda’s population is booming. With new subdivisions, retail developments and 7,295 residents, Buda has had the second greatest population growth in Hays County. The town saw a 203 percent increase in population from 2000 to 2010, according to the Statesman.

Buda increased its $700,000 police budget this fiscal year by $36,000 to pay for new equipment and promotions, Williams said. No new police have been added but the city is drafting a five-year plan to address how the department will grow with the city.

"It has been a good start and a successful year,"  Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd said. "Most law enforcement agencies don't have the kind of support that we are blessed with here in Buda. We must be mindful of that, appreciate it, and make sure that we do all we can to keep it that way."

To view the Austin American-Statesman article visit: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/budas-police-department-passes-year-mark-today-1924166.html

 

October 21, 2011

News

City officials respond to Occupy Austin at Public Safety Commission meeting

Assistant City Manager Michael McDonald attended the Public Safety Commission’s December 5th meeting to address ongoing questions over city officials’ handling of the Occupy Austin movement.

Police enforce jaywalking law to curb fatalities

A sharp increase of pedestrian-related fatalities this year has led police to ramp-up enforcement to keep Austinites safe -- even if it's just a matter of crossing the street.

more News

From Twitter

twitter.com/gacc97

Police evict protesters at Occupy Austin encampment http://t.co/HbZ7Cd7T

on Sat, Feb 04 from gacc97

COA Public Safety Commission meets tomorrow at City Hall from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.

on Thu, Jan 12 from gacc97

See all tweets from gacc97

twitter.com/401k9

Join the GACC 401 K-9 group at Dogtoberfest at the Domain on Oct 23rd. Watch police dogs in action. Info at www.dogtoberfestaustin.org.

on Tue, Aug 17 from 401k9

See all tweets from 401k9

twitter.com/txcafd

Texan (and Admiral) William McRaven is a Time Person of the Year runner-up. http://t.co/j4C9Q1G3

on Wed, Dec 14 from txcafd

See all tweets from txcafd