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Riverside Drive Is On APD's Watch List


Austin police say they’re conducting drug and prostitution operations in the Riverside Drive corridor on a daily basis.

An ongoing study by an independent agency shows the area is a hot spot for crime, but police say most are crimes of opportunity and you can avoid being a victim by taking some simple steps.

The Riverside Drive corridor in Southeast Austin is booming with new construction and development. It’s a high transit part of town, full of families and students.

A five year ongoing study by Krimelabb, an agency that tracks crime city wide, shows apartment complexes account for a large portion of crimes -- including prostitution, assaults, narcotics arrests and burglary of vehicles and property – all times of the day and night.

People living in the area know crime comes with the territory.

Jazmine Hernandez moved there from Dallas several years ago to attend school. "I just heard it had a bad reputation. That there was crime a lot of crime,” she says.

"I think of the stores we come to and how dangerous it is sometimes,” says Sofia Welch-Ptak, who has lived in the area with her son Maximus for four years.

APD says violent crimes have reduced this year by 16 percent, but there has been a spike in property crime of about 12 percent. They say that can be avoided by remembering to lock your car doors, not leave your property in plain sight and securing your doors and windows at home.

But the most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings, as these crimes can happen quickly. And if you see anything suspicious you should call police.

By Angel Covarrubias