In case of an emergency call
9-1-1
For non-emergency situations, please call our dispatch office
512-974-0845
In case of an emergency call
9-1-1
For non-emergency situations, please call our dispatch office
512-974-0845
TCSO GENERAL FAQ's
1) How do I reach a Sheriff's Deputy?
2) Where is the Sheriff's Patrol area?
3) I see officers in Sheriff's Office trucks; what is that all about?
4) How do I get help with traffic situations like chronic speeders?
5) I have an alarm at my house; do I need to register it?
6) I have noticed my neighbor is using his land for a dump, what can I do?
7) Where can I get information on helping reduce crime in my neighborhood?
8) How do I contact an inmate in the jail?
9) Can I leave clothes or food for inmates?
10) How do I send or leave money for commissary?
11) How do I visit an inmate in jail?
12) How many employees are there in Corrections?
13) What is the Annual Operating Budget for Corrections?
14) What is the annual turn-over rate of Corrections Officers?
15) What is the average number of inmates we have in jail each day?
16) What is the percentage of female inmates in our jail system?
17) How many inmates who are under some sort of psychiatric care do we average each month?
18) What are the percentages of racial breakdown of the jail population?
19) How many psychiatric referrals a month are made from the jail?
20) What are the most common offenses inmates are in jail for?
21) What are the most common offenses for those arrested and released from Central Booking?
22) What percentage of people return to jail?
A: Dial 911 if it is an emergency. If not, call our dispatch
office directly at
(512) 974-0845.
2) Where is the Sheriff's Patrol area?
A: As the lead law enforcement agency in the county, deputies have jurisdiction everywhere in the county. However, we routinely patrol the unincorporated areas of the county that are not within established city limits.
3) I see officers in Sheriff's Office trucks; what is that all about?
A: Many of our specialized units work out of trucks. Ranging from Boat Patrol to Livestock, we have various vehicles in our fleet.
4) How do I get help with traffic situations like chronic speeders?
A: Contact the appropriate command center for your area and they can arrange for traffic units to target the area where you have concerns.
| East Command, generally East of IH-35 | (512) 854-9721 |
| West Command, generally West of IH-35 | (512) 854-9728 |
5) I have an alarm at my house, do I need to register it?
A: Yes. Travis County has an alarm procedure that you need to follow. The fees are $25 ($50 for business) and you are allowed 5 free false-alarms before you can be fined $75 for each false call afterwards. Read more about Travis County Alarm Procedures here.
6) I have noticed my neighbor is using his land for a dump, what can I do?
A: We have an officer that specializes in illegal dumping. Contact any officer for a report and we will investigate it. Illegal dumping fines can be very large as a means to protect our environment.
7) Where can I get information on helping reduce crime in my neighborhood?
A: Contact your local neighborhood association or your COPS officer. We work together with communities to tackle the specific problems in your area.
| Community Outreach & Services
|
(512) 854-8413
|
8) How do I contact an inmate in the jail?
A: Inmates are not allowed to receive phone calls but can call out (collect). You may also write to them at whichever jail they are housed.
| Travis County Jail | Travis County Correctional Complex |
| 500 W. 10th Street Austin, TX 78701 |
3614 Bill Price Road Del Valle, TX 78617 |
9) Can I leave clothes or food for inmates?
A: No, we do not accept items from the outside for inmates. Court clothes can be handled through your attorney and inmates are allowed to purchase commissary items within the jail.
10) How do I send or leave money for commissary?
A: We only accept cashier checks and money orders and they must be mailed to the jail in the inmates name. Inmates are furnished with deposit slips or they can be obtained during inmate visitation.
11) How do I visit an inmate in jail?
A: Visitation days and hours vary for each facility. Call the information line at 854-4180 for more information. Here's the jail visitation brochure in English and Spanish.
12) How many employees are there in Corrections?
A: The Corrections Bureau has 770 employees.
13) What is the Annual Operating Budget for Corrections?
A: The budget changes from year to year but is currently at about $50 million.
14) What is the annual turn-over rate of Corrections Officers?
A: Around 3% or less.
15) What is the average number of inmates we have in jail each day?
A: We average around 2300 inmates each day, including Central Booking.
16) What is the percentage of female inmates in our jail system?
A: About 10% of our total jail population is female.
17) How many inmates who are under some sort of psychiatric care do we average each month?
A: On average, about 350 (15%) make up this population.
18) What are the percentages of racial breakdown of the jail population?
A: 38% White 36% Black 26% Hispanic
19) How many psychiatric referrals a month are made from the jail?
A: Approximately 30 referrals a month are made to MHMR and hospitals.
20) What are the most common offenses inmates are in jail for?
A: Theft, Burglary, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Revocation of Probation or Parole (not necessarily in that order).
21) What are the most common offenses for those arrested and released from Central Booking?
A: Public Intoxication, Minor in Possession, Warrants for Traffic Violations and City Ordinance Violations.
22) What percentage of people return to jail?
A: For the average inmate, around 40%.
