Police focus on Downtown crime

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Police are looking for a person who shot and injured four people on Sixth Street as the bars were closing early Sunday morning.

Police said the shooter was captured on one of the department's Downtown cameras and officers are pouring over hours of video to locate the man, who is described as heavy set and Hispanic.

"They're great- they're an asset- a deterrent? No I don't think they're so much a deterrent- I don't think we've got the signage up on them that makes it very clear that you're being monitored in this area," said Downtown Commander John Romoser.

Romoser said signs warning people the area is monitored by cameras should arrive soon. In the meantime, officers are using the cameras and extra lighting to help fight crime Downtown.

"When there's more light in the Downtown area- we're noticing there's less crime in those specific areas," said Romoser.

APD is working with Austin Energy to install LED lighting in higher crime areas Downtown. The police department is also making officers more visible by turning on their flashing lights when the bars close and a surge of people hit downtown.

"We have undercover operations that go on Downtown because drugs draw a lot of people into the area so we do buy busts where we're buying from the dealers and then making arrests - that causes reductions in crime, as well," said Romoser.

Despite rising violent crime statistics, business owners and police are confident people will continue to visit Downtown.

"We still maintain that there's no reason to be worried about it- crime is up but only a little bit- compared to last year," said Romoser. "Year to date- violent crime is up- but only by 17 crimes- so from our perspective it's not a horrendous amount."

Police found a gun they believe was used in the Sunday morning shooting in a dumpster near the intersection where it happened.