Category: Austin City Council

Austin Police make arrest in rock throwing case

The Austin Police Department arrested a man they believe responsible for the “lion’s share” of Austin rock throwing attacks in the past few years.

The man charged is Patrick Eugene Johnson, a 59-year-old self-identified “Texas Towing Guru.” Police arrested him in a still-ongoing child sexual abuse case last August. Police said they plan to charge Johnson with attempted murder and end the rock throwing.

Local citizens are shocked by the consistent rock throwing combined with the “incompetence” of the police. An Austin-based Facebook group titled “Stop the Rock Throwing!” has 27 members, and calls for more safety in the city.

“We must continue with our efforts to make our city officials accountable. WE NEED FENCES,” the group’s description reads.

A rock struck the window of Texas State student Jillian Lueders as recently as June 14. The hunt for a suspect was still ongoing, and Lueders was simply passing through Austin, taking Interstate 35 back to her home in Colorado.

“I hear a loud bang on top of my car as if a rock was thrown at it. I was keeping my eyes open but I couldn’t see where they were throwing from,” Lueders said in Facebook posts.

The members of the Stop the Rock Throwing! Facebook group are clear that their anger stems from the length of time it took the police to make an arrest. Lueders said she “can’t believe” someone is doing it.

“We were facing a tough set of circumstances. Looking for a needle in a haystack,” said an APD spokesperson.

“Driving in fear” is not the only cost of rock throwing incidents in Austin, as replacing a windshield can have quite a cost. Don’s Paint and Body shop in Austin has not had to fix any of these damages, but they are prepared.

“It could cost as low as $250 but it could go up to way higher than that,” they said.

Some citizens are not fazed by these incidents, and opt to “keep their head up,” and not live in fear. Joel Deeter, an Austin resident who uses the lower level of I-35 to commute to work, says he will not let Johnson or any other criminal make him afraid.

“I just don’t see the point in being afraid. There’s so little chance of actually being hit, it just isn’t worth worrying about. I do feel safer now they have made an arrest, but it doesn’t make too much of a difference,” said Deeter.

Johnson, the man arrested for the crime, already faces up to 60 years in prison for his pending sexual abuse of a child case. The case has made little to no progress over two years, but he now faces a $200,000 bail and probable attempted murder charge.

Going forward, the police said they are hoping to put together a strong case with strong evidence against Johnson, and will move to prosecute soon. In spite of this, some citizens are still in disbelief.

“What is this world coming to. Keep Austin weird is an understatement at this point,” said Lueders.

City Council Approves East Austin Affordable Housing Development

The Austin City Council voted to apply for multi-family housing units on Oak Springs Drive last Thursday.

The application had seven votes in favor, with only Council Member Don Zimmerman voting against and Council Members Delia Garza and Ann Kitchen absent. The applica- tion will now go to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Zimmerman was the voice of dissent in the discussion of the development. He pressed Betsy Spencer, director of the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development. He asked about the apartments’ square footage, the cost, and whether they will be new.

In the end the council outvoted Zimmerman, with Council Member Ellen Troxclair deliv- ering closing statements. She responded to Zimmerman but pressed forward.

“If we do affordable housing it’s really important that we do it in smart places. I am con- cerned about the cost but in this case it seemed like a really smart location,” Troxclair said.

The city plans to work with Austin Travis County Integral Care for the development. David Evans, CEO of the organization, argued the merits to the Council in an open fo- rum.

“Permanent supported housing is a critical component to solving homelessness. This is an area that has enjoyed the support of the surrounding citizens, and new construction is long past due on that location,” he said.

Austin Travis County Integral Care has worked with the city in the past for care services. The organization provides many programs for citizens of all ages, including what are called “integrated care” clinics. The clinics combine physical health services with mental health services. These create convenient one-stop locations for citizens across Austin.

Council Member Sabino Renteria discussed the utility of new housing in the Oak Springs Drive location. His previous familiarity with the area helped him know the condi- tions are “in pretty bad shape.” Although in this type of location, the proposed area is just blocks from Oak Springs Elementary School and the Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library.

Council Member Ora Houston took delight in the development, moving to adopt the project “with glee.” She cited the city’s past success partnering with Evans and his com- pany, as well as citizens in the area supporting the development.

“Everybody is welcoming the new development and the services. We welcome them into the neighborhood,” Houston said.

Zimmerman’s concerns about the development’s financial needs led him to continue his questioning.

“When I do the math, I come up with nearly $400,000 per unit,” he said.

Spencer immediately responded.

“The number is misleading because this project, in addition to 50 efficiency units, has common space, an integrated healthcare clinic, and a supported employment space,” Spencer said.

Despite the expense, the rest of the City Council voted to move forward with the request. If the Texas Department of Housing approves, the development will be officially titled Housing First Oak Springs Apartments at 3000 Oak Springs Drive.