Task force discusses public safety

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Public Safety Task Force is getting an update on several pubic safety issues. In Monday's meeting, the task force was given new crime statistics. They showed there were 1,922 arrests between Aug. 4 and Sept. 30 in 2008. Analysts explained the time period where many evacuees fled to Austin during Hurricane Ike reflected the highest ever crime rate in the downtown area. Many arrests made at that time were of Galveston evacuees.

The task force also got an update on the effectiveness of red light cameras. Revenue from the cameras through Sept. 30 is at $32,670. Police officers reported to the task force that there has been a 50 percent reduction in crashes at the light at the Riverside Drive location.