Responding to heightened concerns of public safety following terror attacks in other cities, the Austin Police Department is set to introduce new security features on 6th Street, a popular thoroughfare known for its vibrant nightlife. One local resident, Calvin Smith, expressed the sentiment felt by many – a desire to avoid a similar situation to those faced in New Orleans and Las Vegas, with measures that will significantly alter the streetscape of the historic district, as reported by CBS Austin.
The introduction of security barriers has created a visible change on 6th Street, and for visitors like Vik Flair, the presence of dump trucks at street ends, sidewalk barricades, and an upscaled number of law enforcement officers have made a different, and for him, a more secure atmosphere Flair who usually feels at ease on 6th Street admitted to feeling “even safer” during the recent week with the new protocols in place, he noted in an interview with Fox San Antonio.
Police Chief Lisa Davis acknowledged the anticipatory nature of these steps, assuring that the department is acting preemptively to safeguard pedestrians and resume vehicular movement. The forthcoming installations include curb edges projected to extend the sidewalks by 12-18 inches and ground-anchored balusters, according to information released by CBS Austin. This infrastructure, however, meant to replace the temporary barricades and blockades, is facing delivery delays, with arrival slated for after the previously expected date of January 9th…