There is much more to this story that we get into it in our most recent article. There's also more to come.
Check it out our reporting here:
www.kut.org/crime-justic...

Austin Chief Lisa Davis says APD has heard reports of street kidnappings, to find out after the fact it was ICE doing it.

This changes the way local police would repond, it also raises the potential for a dangerous misunderstanding between ICE and local police...
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But that does not seem to explain the whole thing. The Harris County Sheriff, for example, does not have the formal 287(g) partnership with ICE that some others do, but still appears to get informed.

Regardless, the lack of communication is a concerns for some police...
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Other local agencies suggested that they stay in close contact, but would not get into specifics.

Part of the reason? Different local police have different relationships with the Trump immigration crackdown.

Some want to keep ICE at arms length, others work enthusiastically with ICE. But...
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In Austin, for example, APD is not told if a big sweep is planned, our Travis County Sheriff's Office says they get no heads up either.

But other places are told. The Harris County Sheriff's Office says they are informed of big ICE operations for "situational awareness."

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I had the same thought.

aaand. Im just reading this now. So hard to keep up with all the social platforms on top of everything else! But knowing that there is interest should motivate.

Meanwhile, Robbins and others are looking ahead to next year. 2026 is when Texas Gas Service's 20 year contract with Austin expires. That gives the city an chance to find a new gas company, or even try to buy the system and run it as a city owned utility. 11/11
www.kut.org/energy-envir...

One thing that seems clear? Rates will only go higher. The utility plans to raise them agains starting in June as part of a "Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program," that lets it increase bills to recoup losses on system investment. 10/

“I cannot make sense of it. It’s like, are they building a bridge to nowhere? Are they padding(..) so that they can claim an expense and then claim a capital return on an expense that may not be needed?” Robbins said. “The question has never been put to rest for me." 9/

Some consumer advocates have accused the utility of over-charging. Longtime critic Paul Robbins, says the money the utility says it needs just doesn't compute when you consider the market it serves here in Austin.. 8/

Texas Gas Service says its customers have options. They can choose to be charged under two different teirs "Large Residential" or "Small residential." The utility says that choice may help lower peoples bills depending on their gas use. But... 7/