NCJ Number
191776
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 41-43
Date Published
April 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Austin's (Texas) Downtown Rangers -- developed through a public safety partnership between the Austin Police Department (APD) and the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) -- patrol downtown and offer visitors assistance with everything from parking to first aid.
Abstract
The Downtown Rangers help downtown businesses stay safe by serving as an extension of the APD at the street level. Since 1994, the Rangers have patrolled downtown Austin during the day and evening hours on bicycle and on foot. Dressed in informal navy blue uniforms, the Rangers carry two-way communication equipment that gives them access to APD dispatchers. The Rangers are not police officers; with the exception of pepper spray, they do not carry weapons or make arrests. They simply act as the eyes and ears of APD. The boundaries of the Rangers' patrol district encompass 200 square blocks in the core of downtown Austin, including the city's business district and entertainment district. Rangers are rotated between sectors every 2 weeks to remain familiar with the area. Prospective Rangers must first pass through the city's hiring process, which requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, plus one year of job experience that has involved dealing with the public. Hirees are taught the various city ordinances and are trained in patrol techniques that involve gaining voluntary compliance or making a request for a police officer response. Training includes patrolling with seasoned Rangers. Training topics encompass CPR, first aid, bicycle proficiency and safety, cultural diversity, sexual harassment, self-defense, ambassador duties, informational tours, communicable diseases, and the use of pepper spray. Half of the trainees are criminal justice majors who are enrolled in local higher education institutes. There are currently 13 active Rangers, including three women.