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A South Central Texas group believes it has enough signatures to put increased police presence on the November ballot.
Save Austin Now Co-Founder Matt Mackowiak says the group submitted over 25,000 signatures on Monday, well above the 20,000 needed to force a vote. He's confident the measure will pass, saying having enough police is a nonpartisan issue. Mackowiak also cited support from Austin Democrats along with Republicans and independents in Save Austin Now's successful ballot initiative re-instating the homeless camping ban earlier this year.
The police ballot initiative seeks to require the city to have two cops per thousand population, boost minority hiring, and double police training. It also wants the city to start three new police cadet classes started. Austin cut the police budget last year in response to the George Floyd protests.