If you've ever been to 6th street on a weekend night, lack of police presence is not an issue. I think the police force is the same size its jut not growing.
I moved out but Austin problems stem from a city council determined to waste as much money as possible while also serving as the destination for every prisoner released and homeless person in the state. It took the citizens fighting against the city council to get the camping ban in place. The city kicked it out before and somehow seemed shock that people were upset that there are homeless people living in every nook and cranny of the city.
