Violent crime up in Downtown Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police are watching a spike in violent crime in the Downtown area. In December, violent crimes like aggravated robbery and assault were up from the same period in 2010.

In December, robberies were up 32 percent from the year before while aggravated robberies were up 26 percent. Police say some victims are doing little to prevent themselves from becoming targets.

"They have their head planted down in their cell phone either texting or making phone calls and not being aware of their surroundings," said Senior Police Officer Greg Gentry.

Many of the crime are happening between midnight and 3 a.m., as people leave the Downtown bars and restaurants. Police suggest not carrying a phone in plain sight, but they have not been able to pinpoint a reason for the spike in numbers.

"I am proud to live here and I do think that it's a great place to live but just like any big city it does have its problems and it does have crime," said Downtown business owner Steve Busti, who owns the Lucky Lizard and lives in an apartment upstairs.

"It comes and goes in waves- one year might be bad and then there will be a big crackdown on it and then it will get better for a while and then all of the sudden it will get worse again," he said.

In fact, police say violent crime was especially low Downtown in 2010, which might account for what appears to be a sharp rise in the numbers in December 2011.

The department is deploying more resources to the area, including undercover and bicycle officers to help to deter crime.

28 cameras have been running 24/7 since the Fall of 2011 in the Downtown area and have already helped solve several crime, but have yet to serve as the deterrent officers were hoping for.