Free seminar on kidnap awareness and avoidance

Get free tips on how to prevent assaults and which self-defense techniques to use. The event – hosted by state Rep. La Shawn Ford and feature Westside Health Authority instructor Tottiente Tolliver. It will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at 5437 W. Division St.

Homicides down in Austin in 2019

Mirroring a trend across Chicago, Austin reported 10 fewer homicides in 2019. Forty-seven people were killed, down from 57 in 2018, according to the Chicago Sun-Times homicide tracker.

Gun violence hits close to home

A 22-year-old man was shot to death near state Rep. La Shawn Ford’s family home last weekend. Nearly 30 people have been killed in Austin so far this year. Ford urges city leaders to take more aggressive steps to protect West Side residents and “end this violence now.”