Rundberg neighborhood gets extra boost

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police continue to narrow in on the Rundberg neighborhood, part of the Restore Rundberg Project.

Police are calling it another "100 Percent Enforcment Initiative," happening Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. That's when they'll focus on all crime but will be specifically targeting drugs, prostitution and gang-related crimes.

In addition, police will be focused on Rundberg Lane from Middle Fiskville road to Lamar Boulevard. That also includes the service road south of Rundberg Lane along Interstate 35 to Powell Lane and across to Lamar Boulevard -- encompassing Sam Rayburn Drive.

For those driving on I-35, make sure you're taking it safely. Police will be in the area, cracking down on speeders and other offenders in an effort to reduce the wrecks in that intersection.

Early in 2012, the Austin Police Department got a $1 million grant from the Department of Justice for that area. The Restore Rundberg Project focuses particularly on reducing crime and revitalizing the Rundberg neighborhood.

Police are working with neighbors in the Rundberg area to listen to concerns and address those using information-based policing -- which relies heavily on statistics.

The 100 Percent Enforcement Initiative will happen several more times this year, and it will run concurrently with several other initiatives and activities in the area.

Just last week, police cracked down on illegally parked cars and removed junked and "nuisance" cars.

Police looked to curb crime by remembering the "Broken Window Theory," which means a well-maintained neighborhood may help stop further vandalism and the possible escalation to more serious crimes.