Austin at Large: Truth and Reconciliation

“Reimagining” public safety will involve more than just technocratic change

"...must do. We also need to reconcile our police force and its supporters with our communities, reveal the truths..."

Aug. 28, 2020 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

“Reimagining” APD and Its Huge Budget Starts Now

City Council and the city manager try to move away from policing, but is it enough?

"...of a potential transfer can be found in traffic enforcement; instead of sending officers to crashes that may only..."

July 24, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

How Much Reform Is Enough in the Travis County District Attorney Race?

Incumbent D.A. Margaret Moore faces challengers from the left

"...her successful emphasis on collaboration among all area law enforcement agencies. And in a county where the winner of..."

Aug. 23, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

City's Racism Task Force Unveils Report

Group focuses on five issues to combat institutional racism

"...five months of review, the city’s relatively new Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities released its anticipated..."

April 4, 2017 News Post by Mary Tuma

Austin Lawmaker Wants to Repeal Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance

Workman's HB 577 would undo Council's job applicant labor protection

"...Springs, claimed it was “hypocritical” of City Council to enforce Fair Chance Hiring while asking Uber and Lyft for..."

Dec. 13, 2016 News Post by Mary Tuma

Written in Stone

History of racism lives on in UT monuments

"...a state senator, "After years of fighting, I was forced to accept the dismemberment of my original planned memorial,..."

May 29, 2015 News Feature by Mac McCann

Report Highlights Inequities in AISD Funding

Title I cash and private fundraising don't align in most local schools

"...said, "I always wondered why the schools were so unequal." Now the TCRP has released a report showing a..."

Sept. 21, 2012 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Trouble at Station 15

Austin firefighter sues city after officials stonewall unequal treatment

"...goal of attracting and retaining "a qualified and diverse workforce" – was especially important to her...."

Jan. 16, 2009 News Feature by Caitlin Meredith

Page Two: Workingman's Blues

The real history of labor and union organizing is ignored and largely unknown

"...Airlines a few years back, when the entire labor force accepted cuts and cutbacks. As soon as things began..."

Dec. 26, 2008 Column by Louis Black

The Lewis File

Park Police personnel record casts a harsh light on small law enforcement agencies

"...Park Police operations – and, specifically, on the auxiliary force's challenges in the areas of staffing, training, and leadership...."

Aug. 18, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...below and urge them to vote no to keep unequal treatment for gay and lesbian Texans out of our..."

March 4, 2005 Column

Top 10 Media Stories

The year in print and broadcasting

"...that didn't actually exist. The paper's study of APD use-of-force incidents purportedly showed disproportionately greater levels of violence against..."

Jan. 7, 2005 News Feature

Top 10 Law Enforcement/Public Safety Stories

Year in review for cops and firefighters

"...1) Unequal Farce: After a "comprehensive" analysis of police records, the..."

Jan. 7, 2005 News Feature

Austin @ Large: Every Day Is Halloween

But will only the good corporate kids get the candy?

"...the making, tracing its roots to the Mayor's Task Force on the Economy – which was one mayor ago..."

Nov. 12, 2004 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

A Pretty Sad Display

"...criticism of the Statesman's methodology is way off track ["Unequal Farce," News, Feb. 13]. Several statistical experts back their..."

March 2, 2004 Postmarks

Naked City

The police union cools off, the Sophia King lawsuit is dropped, and the ministers march on City Hall

"...discriminated against by police and city leaders and have unequal access to economic and educational opportunities. The BMU compiled..."

Feb. 27, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...the Chronicle – "Page Two" by Louis Black and "Unequal Farce" [News] by Michael King...."

Feb. 20, 2004 Column

Austin @ Large: Unequal Farce

The 'Statesman' leaps to its own defense … and crashes on takeoff

"...we reported last week that as part of its "Unequal Force" series, Jan. 25-28, the Austin American-Statesman had published..."

Feb. 13, 2004 News Column by Michael King

The Figures Do Lie

The Statesman finds a cops-and-race story that just isn't there

"...including a database with five years' worth of APD "use-of-force" reports, their reporters had found that Austin police used..."

Feb. 6, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

APD Case Moves Forward

A judge rules in favor of an attorney who claims that APD engages in selective prosecution of officers. Attorney Steve Edwards now must collect evidence -- and his number one goal is to get Chief Stan Knee to testify.

"...claim that the Austin Police Dept. engages in selective enforcement. "The court finds there is a numerical and statistical..."

July 5, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Knee-Deep in Hot Water

A retired investigator testifies that APD might engage in selective prosecution.

"...retired, his son is still an officer on the force. "My concern is [that there will] be retaliation towards..."

June 28, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Must Stan Take the Stand?

Questions about the APD's disciplinary sanctions mean the chief might have to take the stand.

"...oppression. The indictment stems from a complaint of excessive force. According to court records, in March 2000 Snyder allegedly..."

June 14, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Sterling Lands' New Mission

Sterling Lands II and the Eastside Social Action Coalition fight for equity in Austin's public schools.

"...Independent School District. Discontinue a legacy of racist and unequal public education, say Lands and his community allies, or..."

Jan. 12, 2001 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Postmarks

First, the good news ...

"...of us who did, but questioned their authority to force us, were threatened with arrest when we stepped outside..."

Nov. 5, 1999 Column

Just Your Average Stiff

"...the investors their money back. And so that's what forced us to not make a sort of "pussyfooting around"..."

June 4, 1999 Screens Feature by Marc Savlov

Naked City

Off the Desk:

"...in which APD officers were accused of using excessive force when they raided a Valentine's Day party on the..."

Feb. 12, 1999 News Feature

Black, White, and Unequal?

"...of black inferiority persisted until 1981, when the air force modified its policies...."

Aug. 15, 1997 News Feature by Robert Bryce

In Black and White

Jesse Jackson and Tom Wicker

"...continuing separation of whites and blacks into hostile and unequal classes... is the fundamental cause of the political deadlock,..."

Aug. 30, 1996 Books Feature