"Watson said Tuesday that the order from the governor came, partly, as a shock - and it came as Austin was rolling out a plan of its own to clear up encampments ahead of winter and amid a wildfire risk. At a public event, the mayor said it's common for state employees to clear camps under state-owned roads but that Abbott pushed state police to clear camps and make arrests citywide over the past few days."
"Abbott said Tuesday he's directed state police to work with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas State Guard and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to clear camps. The governor said 48 camp-clearings led to 24 felony arrests and the removal of 3,000 pounds of debris. Abbott's office did not specify what charges had been filed against suspects or which camps were cleared."
"But Watson said the city has a different tack than state police in clearing out camps. Austinites staying at camps are offered medical and housing services and shelter, if possible, before they're asked to pack up. He says state troopers don't offer the same level of resources. "They go in with a show of force, and they may clean it up, but we don't know where they're sending anybody," he said."
Governor Greg Abbott directed state police, TxDOT, the Texas State Guard and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to clear homeless encampments across Austin, including parks and trails. State officials reported 48 camp-clearings, 24 felony arrests and removal of 3,000 pounds of debris, without specifying charges or which camps were cleared. Austin planned its own encampment-clearing efforts to address winter and wildfire risk and to offer services. Mayor Kirk Watson said the city offers medical care, housing services and shelter before asking people to leave and criticized state actions for relying on force without comparable support.
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