BREAKING NEWS – Austin, Texas – Starting last Friday, individuals in the city are asked to use 311 when reporting crimes that are either no longer in process, when the suspect is no longer on the scene, or when there is no immediate threat to life or property, according to the Austin Police Department.
“Please understand, if somebody is in danger, we’re still going to send a marked unit and a uniformed officer to go handle it,” interim police chief Joseph Chacon explained Wednesday, according to KXAN-TV. “But for crimes that may have already happened and are now being reported, we are looking at alternative measures, and that’s what we’re working on now.”
“Could you give us some examples?” asked KXAN-TV.
“Certainly,” answered Chacon. “If you come home and you see someone walking out of your front door with your valuables, call 311 because the crime is over, and they’re done shopping in your home. And if the items they are stealing you planned on replacing in a few years, maybe you shouldn’t call the police at all, but instead, start saving up to make the replacements. And the excitement of the future purchases may alleviate the sadness you may be feeling from just getting ripped off.”