Project aims to restore Rundberg neighborhood

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police started posting notices Tuesday on illegally parked cars as part of the Restore Rundberg Project.

The project focuses on cleaning up the area and making it safer for Austin residents. According to APD, this initiative will use both crime prevention through environmental design and intelligence based policing.

The department will look to curb crime by observing the "Broken Window Theory." It states a well-maintained neighborhood may help stop further vandalism and the possible escalation to more serious crimes.

This part of the cleanup effort will focus on removing junked and nuisance vehicles . Police will begin removing cars at 8 a.m. on Thursday that are not in compliance with the ordinance.

Violations include illegal yard parking and cars blocking sidewalks or crosswalks. Vehicles will also be towed if they are parked with their left wheels to the curb or are parked more than 18 inches from the curb.

Early in 2012, APD was awarded a $1 million grant from the Department of Justice, which resulted in the implementation of the project. The department says the project will focus particularly on reducing crime and revitalizing the Rundberg neighborhood.

APD is also working with the community to address and listen to concerns through policing efforts in the area.