Austin on ‘tactical alert’ for inauguration
Law enforcement agencies statewide are ready to respond to any incidents during and after the Washington ceremonies
The Austin Police Department was again bracing for potential protests in the Texas capital city this week as President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
Assistant Police Chief Joe Chacon said the Austin area had no known threats, but said the department would be on tactical alert to ensure that any and all demonstrations in the city remain peaceful. During a tactical alert, all officers at the department are uniformed and put on standby to respond to any major event in the city, according to law enforcement officials.
He added that police will be on tactical alert until further notice.
“We feel ready to keep Austin citizens safe,” Chacon said Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas Department of Public Safety troopers also would be ready to respond to any possible threats around Inauguration Day.
“I feel confident that we will make it through the Inauguration Day without incident in Austin, Texas, or elsewhere around the state,” Abbott said.
The department announced similar measures ahead of Election Day in anticipation of large crowds and political demonstrations in the city. At the time of that announcement, Chacon said the department had been on tactical alert during the city’s largest festivals, such as South By Southwest and Austin City Limits.
New security barriers were placed outside of the Austin Police Department headquarters last week. Mayor Steve Adler has said he has been communicating with Austin police about safety concerns at the Capitol.
“My office is aware of coming planned gatherings at the State Capitol and is communicating with @Austin—Police. The safety of everyone in downtown Austin is paramount, as always, and receiving focused attention.”
Officer Destiny Silva, a police spokeswoman, said authorities have received reports of planned protests around the city, and are working with the DPS on security measures.
“We fully respect people’s ability to exercise their First Amendment rights, and we will be prepared to respond as needed to ensure the community’s safety,” Silva said in a written statement.
Southeast of the state capital, authorities in Houston were unaware of imminent threats to their own city but were keeping officers at the ready as a precaution.
“We have not identified any specific threat to the city of Houston,” Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo said. Through the end of the inauguration — at least — Acevedo said it will be “all hands on deck.”
In neighboring Fort Bend County, recently sworn-in Sheriff Eric Fagan said his investigators had found “no substantiated threats of violence” but deputies would similarly be ready at a moment’s notice should violence unfold.
“Any criminal activity, destruction of property, violence or threats of violence that prevents others from peacefully expressing their First Amendment right will not be tolerated,” Fagan said at a news conference with representatives of a dozen other law enforcement agencies.
All officers and investigators will be on duty and in uniform, he said.
“What (the U.S. Capitol) ordeal proved is that law enforcement was not prepared for the events such as this one. Police planned only for a free speech demonstration,” Fagan said. “While we pray for no unrest, we want to be prepared may it arise.”
Last week, the DPS announced the closure of the Texas Capitol until Wednesday, pointing to potential threats from “violent extremists.”
A group of gun rights activists — many who were armed — held a small rally on Sunday in front of the Texas Legislature. The event remained peaceful, and several who participated in the event told the American-Statesman that the event was not connected to the 2020 presidential election results.
Multiple Texans have been arrested in connection with the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which led to five people being killed.