Austin matches number of homicides in all of 2020, McCaul blames ‘defund the police’

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, blamed the “defund the police” movement as Austin is seeing what’s been described as a “grim milestone” for homicides in 2021.

Earlier this week, the Austin-American Statesman reported that despite five months remaining for the year, the number of homicides in 2021 had already reached the level seen for all of 2020.

“This is what happens when you villainize law enforcement and defund police,” McCaul tweeted on Thursday. “Now more than ever, Austin police need extra support and resources to combat the surge of crime.”

This is what happens when you villainize law enforcement and defund police. Now more than ever, Austin police need extra support and resources to combat the surge of crime. https://t.co/mkTnP5AqVz

— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) July 29, 2021

The Austin-American Statesman reported that Police Lt. Brett Bailey said he didn’t expect the number to improve in the near future as the most violent months are usually August and September. – READ MORE