It has arrived.  The much anticipated yearly convergence of all things high tech, indie and musical known as SXSW.  The ten day annual conference/festival draws folks from around the world and the number of visitors is projected to be in the hundreds of thousands.  With the increase in visitors comes an increase in crime, but nothing that APD foresees as unmanageable.  According to APD Assistant Chief Raul Munguia, the biggest spike will be seen in thefts.  Typically the scenario for thefts consists of people setting their cell phones, purses or bags down one minute then turning back around to find them gone.  Last year saw seven aggravated assaults, four aggravated robberies and four sexual assaults.  The alcohol fueled fest is also expected to produce an increase in DWI and alcohol related offenses.  DWI arrests shot up 100% (from 15-30) between 2011 and 2012.  Conversely, arrests for public intoxication decreased from 83 in 2011 to 49 in 2012.  This dip is attributed to a change in APD’s protocol as it relates to Austin’s tourism boom.  Munguia stated, “With PI’s, our goal is not to arrest them and throw them in jail.  Our goal is to make sure everyone’s safe.  When people come down to SXSW and most of these events, they come in groups.  And oftentimes what we’ll do is release a person who is intoxicated to a sober person that’s with them that’s going to take charge of them and get them out of there.  And that’s what we prefer to do.”  Munguia calls this approach “tourism-centered policing”, police presence that implies law-abiding expectations delivered with a congenial, non-confrontational tone.  Feedback from our city’s first ever F1 event was very positive.  Munguia says all he heard was how pleasant the APD officers were.  Given that Austin has become what Munguia refers to as an “events city”, APD’s new approach to public safety appears to be both effective and well received.

Right now in Austin, the SXSW (South by Southwest) Music, Film and Interactive Festival is going on. Drawing thousands of people from all over the world, SXSW is a truly impressive annual event that seems to get bigger and better every year. It’s no wonder Austin is called the Live Music Capital of the World.

SXSW shows, panels and film screenings are concentrated in the downtown area, with tons of parties happening throughout the day and well into the night. Sixth Street bars, along with pretty much every other downtown Austin area bar, do a tremendous business during SXSW.

If you’re attending SXSW, don’t get an Austin DWI. Play it safe and don’t drive if you’ve been drinking. There are plenty of cabs available to provide transportation home. With so many people in town living the rock star life during SXSW, you can bet that police officers are on high alert and will be making a lot of Austin DWI arrests if they need to. Don’t let that be you.

If You Get an Austin DWI During SXSW

Whether you’re from Austin or visiting from out of town, getting arrested for an Austin DWI can be overwhelming. An Austin DWI can be a permanent mark on your record, and the penalties can include time in jail, fines and driver’s license suspension. Hiring an Austin DWI attorney is imperative.

If you’ve been arrested for an Austin DWI, know your rights. Contact Kyle Lowe, an Austin DWI attorney who has years of experience fighting for his clients rights. He’s thorough, diligent and works hard to defend you. For a free case evaluation, contact him today.