AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police are increasing security measures ahead of South by Southwest, which starts this week, as the city prepares for another stretch of large crowds downtown following a deadly shooting earlier this month.
The Austin Police Department said it will have an increased police presence around the festival and is prepared to handle large events. The stepped-up posture comes just over a week after a gunman shot and killed three people and injured 15 others at a bar downtown on West Sixth Street.
Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock said the department is ready to respond if needed during the festival.
“If the worst does come again, we are yet prepared again,” Bullock said. “Resources are obviously allocated where in the places where they’re most likely to be demanded. The department does make sure downtown is staffed above and beyond what would normally be there on a weekend.”
After the shooting, SXSW released a statement saying, “We have planned, coordinated, and trained with local, state, and federal agencies to support a safe and secure event for all who attend.”
Some people attending the festival said safety concerns are not changing their plans.
“If you live in fear, you’re always going to be in fear. I have to assume the city is going to do its best to try and take care of us,” said Kathy Blakenship, who is attending SXSW.
Bullock said the department remains hundreds of officers short of where it should be, and that more resources are being put on West Sixth Street in the wake of the shooting. He said that compared to past years, the department only has a few more officers.
With SXSW more spread out this year due to the construction of a new convention center, Bullock said APD is still prepared to handle the large event.
“We’re still prepared, we’ll still respond, and we’ll still make sure the job gets done to keep these festivals safe and enjoyable for everybody,” he said.
South by Southwest and Austin police are scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday to go over more safety specifics before the conference officially begins Thursday.