Austin Escorts: Naked City
Public safety issues simmered throughout Jan. 14’s Austin City Council meeting, with items affecting police and firefighter staffing. Council approved creating a 20th commander position for Lt. Wayne Demoss, who was previously passed over for promotion by Police Chief Art Acevedo following allegations he had visited a Panamanian brothel while on vacation. Acevedo appointed another candidate to the position before a hearing examiner ruled Acevedo had improperly withheld the promotion, necessitating the additional commander position. Additionally, council directed the city manager to apply for a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant. Four-person staffing on fire trucks is an industry safety standard, albeit one the fire department has struggled to meet in lean budget years. The SAFER grant application, due Jan. 15, was made “with the goal of securing the requisite funds to achieve full four person staffing once grant monies are accepted,” according to the council resolution. The grant must now be federally approved and then accepted by the city; if the city does accept funds, they come with stipulations, including forgoing any layoffs. Ultimately, the grant is expected to result in 25 additional hires. – W.D.