APD increasing presence downtown for Halloween

If you're planning on going out downtown on Sixth Street for Halloween,expect to see more Austin police officers. Some of the extra officers will be uniform while others will be in plain clothes.

It's all part of a initiative Austin Police Chief Brian Manley announced recently after seeing an increase in shootings in the downtown area.

Two weeks ago there were three shooting over the span of 24 hours. 

In October 2017 there were two shootings compared to eight in the same month of this year.

Officials remind people that no illegal weapons of any type are allowed and that if your costume involves a fake weapon to make sure that people can tell it's not real.

Open containers of alcohol and glass containers are banned and APD is having another No Refusal initiative. It starts at 9 p.m. and wraps up tomorrow (11/1) at 5 a.m.

Several streets will also be closed in the area.