City plans increased dog enforcement, program to tackle nuisance neighbors following deadly mauling
The proposed program and dog enforcement efforts stem directly from a West Side home whose dogs were responsible for the brutal Feb. 24 attack that killed an elderly man and sent several others to the hospital.
San Antonio 2022 proposed city budget reaches record $3.1 billion with focus on restoring cuts, financial recovery
The City of San Antonio’s proposed budget for the 2022 fiscal year was presented to Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the city council Thursday with a focus on five key points that include the city’s financial recovery, restoration, lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, response to calls and resiliency.
San Antonio City Council floats big ideas for American Rescue Plan funds
From developing a coordinated system for addressing homelessness to updating city-owned facilities, San Antonio City Council members had numerous ideas Wednesday for how to use the hundreds of millions of dollars the city will receive through the American Rescue Plan Act.
City officials want to hear from you on policing changes
During the FY 2021 budget process, when some residents were loudly calling for changes to the San Antonio Police Department and its budget, City Manger Erik Walsh pushed for a review of the city’s policing model and to what kind of calls residents want officers responding. While that review process, which is underway, could lead to changes, Walsh says they would not lead to a reduction in officers, and it “is not a plan to defund the police.”
Contractor hired to provide services for migrant teens in SA unprepared for their arrival, San Antonio city manager says
A contractor hired by the federal government to provide services for the migrant teens being housed at the Freeman Coliseum was not prepared for their arrival, according to City Manager Erik Walsh.
Mayor Nirenberg, criminal justice expert weigh in on SAPD chief’s decision not to release body cam video of fatal police shooting
SAN ANTONIO – A decision by San Antonio Police Department Police Chief William McManus not to authorize the release of police body camera video of the fatal shooting of a man by police is getting mixed reaction. The shooting was recorded on an officer’s body cam. AdIn a letter to San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh, McManus said Mejia’s mother indicated that to release the video “would cause her great distress.”Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Monday that he understood McManus’ decision. One could go to the family and say, ‘We want to respect you, but we also want to be transparent for the community. Would you be OK if we were able to blur this or we were able to show it in a different way?’”AdRelated Stories:
SAPD Chief McManus says he will not authorize release of body cam footage of fatal South Park Mall shooting
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said that the department will not release body camera footage of a fatal shooting outside South Park Mall that occurred in January. Therefore, the body worn camera video will not be released,” McManus said in a statement. Erick Mejia, 26, was shot multiple times by four San Antonio officers outside of the mall on Jan. 27. After Mejia stopped under the I-35 overpass, he fled on foot and ran into South Park Mall before security kicked him out, police said. Police said he tried to re-enter the mall through a pair of secured doors but he was unable to get in.
SAPD Chief McManus says he will not authorize release of body cam footage of fatal South Park Mall shooting
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said that the department will not release body camera footage of a fatal shooting outside South Park Mall that occurred in January. Therefore, the body worn camera video will not be released,” McManus said in a statement. Erick Mejia, 26, was shot multiple times by four San Antonio officers outside of the mall on Jan. 27. After Mejia stopped under the I-35 overpass, he fled on foot and ran into South Park Mall before security kicked him out, police said. Police said he tried to re-enter the mall through a pair of secured doors but he was unable to get in.
San Antonio continues mask enforcement in city-owned buildings, River Walk
SAN ANTONIO – The City of San Antonio will continue to enforce face masks in city-owned buildings and the River Walk, as well as by city contractors, until further notice. “To ensure that face mask guidelines are followed we will have signage in all City facilities and our mask policy will be strictly enforced.”RELATED: Texas’ statewide mask mandate expires March 10. Officials say masks will be required on the city-owned River Walk if people cannot maintain social distance. AdThe city will develop a scaled reopening of facilities over the next several weeks. The next in-person city council “A Session” meeting will be on April 8, and the “B session” meetings will continue to be held online until further notice.
Bottled, bulk water distribution sites to close Thursday
SAN ANTONIO – The city of San Antonio and San Antonio Water System will close their bottled and bulk water distribution sites at 5 p.m. on Thursday. According to a news release, the decision to close the sites was made due to lower demand for bottled and bulk water after service was restored to all of San Antonio. The city will continue to provide bottled water delivery to vulnerable residents, including homebound seniors and apartment complexes with no drinking water, through Saturday. “Thanks to their efforts, we were able to distribute more than 500,000 cases of water and provide bulk water to our community.”AdSAWS is accepting applications from customers who need assistance making plumbing repairs to quickly restore service and minimize water loss. They can also get help filing an application by calling 210 233-FIXX (3499) or by emailing to CPR-SA@saws.org.
City of San Antonio launches call center, website to aid in recovery from weather crisis
The City of San Antonio on Wednesday will launch an Emergency Resource Call Center (ERCC) and website to assist residents affected by the recent severe winter weather. AdIf a business or rental property suffered damage, SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance Program may help by providing a low-interest loan. If an individual does not qualify for FEMA assistance, the Community Pipe Repair Fund managed by SAWS can help. Callers that do not qualify for FEMA assistance will be directed to the SAWS CPR Fund. ERCC staff will be able to assist residents in both English and Spanish.
Here’s a list of warming centers in San Antonio and surrounding area
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Multiple warming centers have been made available across the San Antonio area to help residents who have lost power and remain stuck in the cold and dark. San Antonio city officials said the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center will remain open through Friday as a warming center. Southside ISD opened up a 24-hour warming center at Losoya Middle School Gym, at 1610 Martinez Losoya Road. The City of New Braunfels will also provide a warming center at the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center at 375 South Castell Ave. To find the closest warming shelter, please use the map here or for information on additional assistance and resources call 2-1-1.
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center to remain open Wednesday as warming center in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO – The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center will remain open Wednesday as a warming center for San Antonio residents, city officials said. Anyone needing transportation help in getting to the convention center can call 311. The convention center will take up to 500 people although capacity may increase if needed, Walsh said. Several hundred cots and food will be available at the convention center, Walsh said. Residents are urged to take their own clothing and medicine and whatever other necessary items they may need.
San Antonio city officials hold news conference on winter weather response
SAN ANTONIO – (You can learn more about what was said at the news conference by clicking here.) The City of San Antonio will provide an update on its winter weather response and the establishment of a warming center. Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City Manager Erik Walsh and Deputy City Manager María Villagómez will be among the participants at the news conference.
City of San Antonio, partner agencies to provide shelter to homeless during frigid nights
SAN ANTONIO – The city of San Antonio and its partner agencies are prepared to provide access to shelter and services for the homeless over the next several days as an arctic air mass moves into South Texas and sets the stage for some frigid nights and possible icy weather. “The City’s Department of Human Services and its partner agencies in homeless services assist individuals facing homelessness by providing outreach, developing a relationship, and offering services daily,” San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh said. Individualized services, which include cold-weather sleeping accommodations and cold-weather kits (sleeping bags, hand warmers, snacks and hygiene products) are available after hours and weekends. The Salvation Army Dave Coy Men’s Shelter at 226 Nolan St. also provides overnight shelter for the homeless. The items are available for street outreach workers and those in need at the San Fernando Homeless Resource Hub at 319 W. Travis St.
Homeless encampment will stay outside councilman’s office as city continues outreach efforts
District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño, right, speaks to a resident about the encampment outside his field office. SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño spent Thursday night at his field office, prepared to stop an abatement of homeless people who have camped on the property. “We’re trying to help people.”City crews, however, never showed up on Friday to sweep the field office, located on Vance Jackson Road near the Westfall Library. We will continue to monitor the situation.”The council member and city manager disagreed on their assessments of the encampment. The councilman said he hopes to coordinate better with the city manager’s office to reach a resolution on the issue.
San Antonio leaders weigh options to alleviate homelessness issue
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio leaders are weighing options to help alleviate the city’s homeless problem, including the purchase of transitional housing space. The discussions come a day after city crews dismantled a homeless camp downtown under I-37, displacing dozens of people who lived there. During Thursday’s city council meeting, City Manager Erik Walsh discussed one possibility to provide temporary housing for those without a home. “We are also looking into the possibility of purchasing a hotel or hotel space for transitional housing,” Walsh said. Walsh also noted that the city has an active lease with a downtown Holiday Inn that runs until September.
City unveils ways residents can provide input about possible changes at SAPD
SAN ANTONIO – City of San Antonio officials have determined that telephone town halls, district meetings and a survey will be the tools used to gather residents’ input about possible changes at the San Antonio Police Department. The survey will be conducted in February followed by various meetings in City Council districts in March through May. Some committee members, including District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, said they want to stretch out the community input process longer. The input is being gathered following local and national protests against police violence last year. The protests led City Manager Erik Walsh to announce a plan to examine SAPD’s role in the types of calls officers respond to.
San Antonio council member calling on city to address termination of Alazan Apache Courts redevelopment project
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales is calling on the city to address the termination of the Alazan Apache Courts redevelopment project on the West Side. In a memo to City Manager Erik Walsh, Gonzales said San Antonio Housing Authority interim CEO Ed Hinojosa had reached an agreement to terminate the two-phase project. She said this made the tenants ineligible for leasing redeveloped units under Housing and Urban Development rules. “SAHA is committed to the redevelopment in a method that will not displace our residents and maintain our commitment to maintain and grow public housing to serve the most vulnerable residents of San Antonio. “There are also increasing possibilities under the new Biden administration for new federal funding to increase public housing.
City of San Antonio will hold first collective bargaining meeting with police union on Feb. 12
SAN ANTONIO – Changes to police officer discipline will be the City of San Antonio’s focus when it meets with the San Antonio Police Officers Association next month to begin negotiations over the next police union contract. City staff laid out the city’s priorities for the upcoming collective bargaining process during Wednesday’s city council meeting. The city now seeks that all past misconduct is considered in the discipline process. Most of the department’s budget -- about $387 million -- is determined by the current union contract. The evergreen clause in effect would allow the current contract to remain in place for up to eight years if negotiations are unsuccessful.
SAFD chief violated rules by posing for photo of him eating sushi off nude woman, investigation finds
SAN ANTONIO – A weeks-long investigation has determined that San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood violated SAFD rules and regulations when he was photographed eating sushi off of a nude women during a private party earlier this year, records released Tuesday confirm. Records show Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez was not forwarded a copy of the complaint from Hood’s command staff for well over a month. SAFD Chief Charles Hood poses for a photo while eating sushi off a nude woman's body during a private party in January 2020. The photo was first published by the San Antonio Express-News. Serving sushi on a naked woman, otherwise known as “body sushi” or “naked sushi,” is part of the Japanese practice of nyotaimori, according to a report from The Associated Press.
San Antonio City Council discusses uncertain future of Alamo Plan
SAN ANTONIO – With the Cenotaph relocation apparently off the table, San Antonio City Council members discussed options forward for the $400 million Alamo Plan. With the monument’s relocation a “crucial” part of the overall plan, city staff members say plans or timelines need to be changed. “We’re going to have to redo redesign because that Cenotaph is not moving,” City Manager Erik Walsh told council members. In its entirety, the Alamo Plan includes repairs to original structures, a redesign of the plaza and a museum. Following the nearly two-hour public discussion, council members spent close to another hour in a closed executive session but took no official action.
City of San Antonio asks ‘What Will It Take’ in new campaign aimed at mitigating spread of COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO – With Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations nearing, the city of San Antonio is reminding residents about the actions they can take to help slow the spread of COVID-19 this holiday season. “As we enter the holiday season and the eighth month of this pandemic, we know everyone is experiencing COVID-19 fatigue. The campaign will feature print advertising, out of home placements, radio, television, digital and social media messages. “It’s my hope that my song inspires the public to do their part to slow the spread of this virus. To learn more about the city’s response to COVID-19, or the campaign, visit the city’s website here.