City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: APD Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
To combat violent crime during the 2022 South by Southwest festival, the Austin Police Department (APD) launched a Violent Crimes Initiative aimed to prevent gun crime, and human trafficking. This initiative ran from March 11, 2022, through March 19, 2022. APD’s Organized and Violent Crimes Divisions collaborated with state and federal partner organizations. This combined effort protects our community and festival-goers from these types of violent crimes.
“This initiative highlights our focus to keep our Austin community safe and the efficacy of taking proactive measures to combat violent crimes.” Chief Joseph Chacon said.
APD seized 61 firearms and made 130 arrests. Five of the arrests were for Solicitation of Prostitution 2nd Degree Felony with a charge enhancement for soliciting a minor. During this initiative, officers were able to seize several narcotics:
- 250 lbs of marijuana
- 309 lbs of THC edibles
- 65 lbs of psilocybin edibles
- 2.5 oz. of crack cocaine
- 2.3 oz. of heroin
- 2 oz. of methamphetamines
- 2 oz of promethazine
- 1/2 kilo of fentanyl
- 3.53 g pills of fentanyl
- $10,000 cash seized
If you have information on individuals or groups of individuals who have illegal firearms, are committing acts of violence, or other crimes involving guns and drugs, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), or use the Crime Stoppers app. You may earn a reward of up to $1000.00, and you will remain anonymous.
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