February 19, 2023 5:24pm EST
Austin police, 911 staffing levels questioned after street racers take over major intersection, injure cop
An Austin City Council member was reportedly on hold with 911 for 28 minutes after calling about the street racing takover
By Paul Best | Fox News
February 19, 2023
01:30
Austin, Texas, police respond to street racing and rioting
Some Austin City Council members are speaking out about the police department's vacancies and ongoing problems at the 911 call center after a chaotic scene unfolded downtown on Saturday night.
Street racers took over an intersection at South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road, drifting in the middle of the street and setting off fireworks as throngs of people looked on at the mayhem.
One law enforcement officer was injured and several police cars were damaged in the fracas.
"Imagine for a moment that the incidents last night happened with large scale events going on," Council member Mackenzie Kelly said Sunday, noting that she is "increasingly concerned about our police vacancies."
"The possibility of a catastrophic cascading failure due to lack of support from our police department puts the city, its residents, and visitors at risk of danger."
Police in Austin, Texas, responded to street racing and rioting Saturday video. Video shared to social media showed crowds hurl fireworks at a police car. (TWITTER/@aaroncrews)
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