Austin Police turn to artificial intelligence to help with 311 call backlog after defunding

Staffing shortages within the Austin Police Department continues to cause long wait times for customers calling for emergency help prompting the department to turn to artificial intelligence for help at call centers. "I called 311 the other day and hung up, because I could no longer wait on hold," KXAN reporter Britt Moreno tweeted Tuesday. "Apparently even 911 is short staffed. There are 15 police dispatcher vacancies and 31, 911 operator vacancies!" Staffing shortages since the Austin City Council stripped the police of 30% of its funding in 2020 forced police to no longer respond to non-emergency calls and has caused significant wait times for those calling both 911 and the non-emergency 311 line.