News

The City of Amarillo announces that it has mutually agreed to part ways with Police Chief Martin Birkenfeld, who has served as the Chief since May of 2020. Chief Birkenfeld has elected to retire from the City of Amarillo effective February 21, 2025, after nearly 35 years of service to the Amarillo Police Department. In light of recent events, Chief Birkenfeld recognizes as a public servant in a leadership role, actions taken in a private capacity can influence confidence in law enforcement. Maintaining that trust is something both the City and Chief Birkenfeld take seriously and therefore have made this decision after careful consideration and discussions with the intent to provide finality, avoid potential civil service proceedings, and to move the department and community forward as quickly as possible. Chief Birkenfeld has dedicated his career to public safety, serving in various roles since joining the department in 1990. The City recognizes his contributions for his decades of service to Amarillo. The City of Amarillo will begin the process of selecting a new Police Chief in the coming weeks. In the interim, Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Johnson will serve as Acting Police Chief.

The City of Amarillo (COA) has a goal of reducing fatal severe traffic crashes by 35 percent by 2035. And Amarillo residents can help reach this goal through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Plan (SS4A Plan). The SS4A Plan is the city’s first comprehensive transportation safety action plan. Developed through extensive community input and data-driven analysis, the plan identifies Amarillo’s needed safety improvements and proposes 16 projects across the city to improve safety for all roadway users. With over 6,800 public interactions and a detailed crash analysis, the plan serves as a roadmap for a safer, more connected Amarillo.  For all the information on the SS4A Plan and to review the draft and share feedback to help shape the future of safe streets in Amarillo, go to: thegoodmancorp.mysocialpinpoint.com/amarillo-ss4a The SS4A Plan is expected to be adopted by city council this spring and implementation will be ongoing as funding becomes available. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

Amarillo City Council has scheduled a closed work session at 8 a.m. Friday in council chambers on the third floor of the old city hall building, 601 S. Buchanan St.  Participation in a closed session is restricted to council and any pertinent city staff, officer, and/or employee. There will be no opportunity for public comments at the meeting. To see the posted agenda for the work session, go to: amarillotx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2530/files/agenda/4676 For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

The Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is providing residents with the opportunity to help improve the Amarillo area’s transportation system. The (MPO) Resilience Improvement Plan Survey is an outlet for residents to provide feedback to strengthen the area’s transportation system, specifically in response to emergencies like extreme weather events. The survey seeks input on how resilient the current transportation system is, possible improvements and how the community stays informed about transportation and emergency plans. “By gathering this information, the MPO hopes to enhance the safety and reliability of the transportation network for Amarillo and Canyon,” said City of Amarillo Planner II and MPO member Allison Knie. “We value public feedback to improve the Amarillo area’s transportation system.” The MPO Resilience Improvement Plan Survey can be found at: arcg.is/1SX0Wr0 For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

The City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) is warning Amarillo residents dealing with a missing pet to be aware of scams. Scam artists are using information from social media posts on missing pets to contact pet owners. In some cases, the scam artists are contacting pet owners via text message and claiming to be an animal control officer and that the missing pet is at a local shelter. The scammers then ask for money via online cash apps such as Venmo or Zelle in order for the pet owner to claim their lost pet. “Dealing with a missing or lost pet is traumatic enough, and scam artists are looking to take advantage of pet owners in a difficult situation,” said AAMW Director Victoria Medley. AAMW does require a reclaim fee for lost or missing pets. However, this fee is applied at the shelter when pets are reclaimed. AAMW only accepts fee payments in-person at the AAMW shelter and NOT online, by phone or from AAMW officers in the field. Pet owners are welcome to contact AAMW for information on lost/missing pets. AAMW can be reached at (806) 378-9032 or by email at animals@amarillo.gov The AAMW shelter is located at 3501 S. Osage. The AAMW website includes detailed information on all pets housed at the shelter, including lost and found animals. Go to: amw.amarillo.gov/adoption-and-resources/adoption-list For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###