Greenbriar East Oltorf Neighborhood Association
Meeting Notes
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If you read nothing else, read this
Police Chief Davis stressed the need for community involvement to address our needs. She needs data and pressure on the city from us.
What YOU can do NOW: Start calling 911 and 311 when witnessing drug activity, panhandling, or crimes — even minor ones, to build data.
Stay tuned for ways we can put pressure on our city officials (or read more below).
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Details
Date and Time: March 4, 2026 at 5:30pm
Location: Ian and Lindy Dille Home, 2500 Glen Springs Way
Attendees
- Neighborhood: Ian Dille, Lindy Dille, Andrea Bergia, Larissa Tater, Bridget Lissner, Sheila Sargent, Shirley LaFuente, Tammy Richards
- City: Council Member José Velásquez, District 3 Chief of Staff Sobeyda Gómez-Chou, Chief of Police Lisa Davis
Purpose
- Educate Chief of Police Davis and Council Member José Velásquez on the issues facing our neighborhood, focusing on crime, drug activity, and the upcoming navigation center.
- Discuss the current efforts being made by the City of Austin to improve public safety for the Greenbriar East Oltorf neighborhood.
Outcome
- The neighborhood walked Chief Davis through several areas of concern (see appendix). She was very responsive and would like a walk-through of her own (see action item).
- Chief Davis informed us that there are active undercover investigations and case-building happening in the area to start taking down offenders, but she admitted it takes time.
- Chief Davis discussed several programs at the city’s disposal that could help us:
- "Place Network Investigations" (PNI) — a city-wide coordinated effort involving police, code enforcement, and municipal court targeting problem locations
- Blanket trespass orders in place at some locations (7-Eleven, Sonic), though not widely known across the force
- "No Wrong Door" program — identifying the top 100 highest-service-utilizers citywide to coordinate care across agencies
- Chief Davis stressed the need for community involvement to address our needs. She needs the following from us:
- Data: Start calling 911 and 311 when witnessing drug activity, panhandling, or crimes — even minor ones, to build data
- Pressure: Apply pressure on District Attorney (José Garza) and County Attorney (Delia Garza), as well as the Chief Davis, council members, etc. (see appendix for strategies)
Action Items
- Larissa will send Chief Davis the list of areas of concern (see appendix).
- Get PNI team (code, municipal court) to look at Chevron, Metcalf, and Sonic addresses. Flag the Metcalf properties so they can be designated as a criminal nuisance, which accelerates the city’s ability to act.
- Ask Davis to share contact info for the nonprofit that helps communities address abandoned properties (ACT)
- Larissa to schedule a neighborhood walk-through with Chief Davis, the Sector Commander, Austin Code, the Constable, Council Member José Velásquez
- Larissa to organize a block party (city officials would like to come!)
- Ian/Andrea/Patricia:
- Raise downtown-style panhandling ordinances for the navigation center area with HSO advisory committee
- Connect with Downtown Austin Alliance to learn about their community patrol structure
- Larissa to create a script to manage court cases in our area
- Need a resolution for what we do and do not tolerate in our neighborhood
- Start identifying panhandlers and other people we recognize in the neighborhood
- Look up representatives who will go to court for us if we keep on top of court cases.
Other Important News
- A police substation at the La Quinta (near the navigation center) will open soon. Officers use this space to fill out their reports and will enhance visibility in the area.
- Legislation is being pursued to allow EMS to sign mental health holds, removing police from that role.
- The South Bridge Shelter operator is changing to a more experienced organization (The Other Ones Foundation https://toofound.org/)
- "Citizens on Patrol" volunteer program (with radios, training, and marked vehicles) is being actively explored for Austin
- ACT is a nonprofit that helps communities get rid of abandoned properties
Appendix
Areas of concern
- Parker Lane and Oltorf: open drug market
- Greenfield Parkway (near the ice machine and the back entrance of Palms Car Wash): murder, open drug use, tagging, people in cars, passed out, and other activity
- Burton Drive and Oltorf: open drug market
- Royal Hill and I-35: open drug use and other activity
- Mulford Cove / behind the Chevron gas station
- Austin Southbridge Shelter
- Abandoned properties
- Metcalf (2610 and 2606 Metcalf Rd.): murder
- Sonic (1735 East Oltorf Rd.): open drug use and other activity
- Casulo Hotel (3017 S I-35 Frontage Rd): open drug use and other activity
- Potential abandoned property near Braxton Cove
Ways to Apply Pressure to Elected Officials
- Monitor court cases and submit letters to the District Attorney (José Garza) and County Attorney (Delia Garza) for pending charges. Apply pressure on judges to make sure people are not getting out on bail and they’re giving good sentences to keep people out of your neighborhood.
- Submit letters, call, get on the news and be clear you don’t like this type of activity in your area
- We need better relationships with the DA, County Attorney, and judges (they are elected officials)
- Chief Davis will brief the DA on active investigations and loop in neighborhood when arrests are made (but we should be proactive)
- Volunteer to go to court or find someone who will represent us in court (there are people who do this).
- Start keeping an eye on people you see over and over again. Report them. Sign your names. Say you want us to take a serious look at this person.
People Who are Mentioned
- District Attorney (José Garza)
- County Attorney (Delia Garza)
- Bianca Benson, who's in charge of a municipal court – looking at locations not being cooperative with police (PNI initiative)
- Officer Sam Noble
- Charles Loosen, HSO
- David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer
- Courtney Daniel, Police Commander for Henry APD Sector (new) (https://data.austintexas.gov/stories/s/APD-Sector-Interactive-Map-Guide/kkcy-rhtk/)
- Lee Davis, Austin Downtown Alliance, Police Commander who helps with guidelines for the unhoused downtown
- Marcos Johnson, helping develop Citizens Patrol (going to Cincinnati to study their program)
- Sunny, owner of La Quinta who is helping with the new police sub station
- David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer, working on No Wrong Door initiative
- Judge Andy Brown, working with the police department on emergency holds for mental health issues
- Carrie Rogers, Intergovernmental Affairs, working on No Wrong Door initiative https://www.austintexas.gov/department/meet-government-relations-office-team