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By Suzie Ziegler
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department will be changing how it responds to non-emergency calls starting October 1, according to KXAN.
Instead, the department will ask people to call 311 – not 911 – to report crimes that are no longer in progress and if there is no immediate threat to life or property, the report says.
APD officials say the change comes amid staffing challenges and a review of its COVID-19 mitigation protocols. Police Chief Joseph Chacon says he is working to determine if a non-sworn unit could be used in some situations…
