Reopening a stretch of East Sixth Street to vehicular traffic on weekend evenings has led to a decrease in crime and violence, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. In a memo to the City Council on February 28, Davis reported that key public safety metrics have improved since the change was implemented.
Impact of the New Traffic Policy
For decades, East Sixth Street between Red River and Brazos Streets had been closed to cars on weekends, allowing for large pedestrian gatherings. However, in December, the Austin Police Department (APD) launched a public safety pilot program aimed at reducing crime by reopening the area to cars on Thursdays and Sundays. The program was later expanded in January to include Friday and Saturday nights.
Statistics from Davis’s memo show a notable decline in police use-of-force incidents, officer injuries, and arrests. Compared to the same period last year, the number of times police used force dropped from 177 to 88. Officer injuries also fell from 14 to just four, while arrests declined from 171 to 113.
Assessment and Future Plans
Chief Davis emphasized that the department is encouraged by the initial results and will continue monitoring the effectiveness of the Sixth Street Safety Plan through ongoing data analysis.
Despite the success of the initiative, East Sixth Street will temporarily close to vehicular traffic again starting Thursday to accommodate the South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals, according to Downtown Commander Michael Chancellor. However, the city plans to resume the reopenings on March 17.
