Dear Neighbor, The latest Chief’s Monthly Report (June) shows year-to-date increases in murder (96 percent), aggravated assault (15 percent), and auto theft (9 percent) compared to 2020. Robbery (-12 percent) and simple assault (-3 percent) were among the crime categories that decreased. This Thursday, starting at 4:00 p.m., the Austin City Council will consider community input on the proposed… Read more »
Longhorn Leaders
The Greater Austin Crime Commission and University of Texas School of Social Work developed the Longhorn Leaders youth outreach program in cooperation with the university’s Athletic Department and the Austin Independent School District. The program is designed to communicate the importance of academic and personal success with middle school students. During the semester, each university student makes several personal presentations at each school, emphasizing academic excellence and life “success” skills.
IMPORTANCE OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS
The program is designed to communicate the importance of academic and personal success with middle school students. During the semester, each university athlete makes several personal presentations at each school, emphasizing academic excellence and life “success” skills.
community outreach
The Longhorn Leaders program has generated an enthusiastic response from schools and has promoted positive community interaction between university athletes, students, parents, teachers, and law enforcement. The Greater Austin Crime Commission underwrites the costs of developing materials for the program, including trading cards for each athlete and a half-hour video documentary.
The program, created by Crime Commission board members Dr. Michael L. Lauderdale and Fred Ligarde, reaches seventh graders at a crucial developmental point, as decisions affect the transition into early adolescence. School failure, involvement with drugs, gangs, or other harmful activities, and delinquency begun in middle school often lead toschool dropout and discourage successful developmental transitions. Students at this age are susceptible to influences beyond the family, especially from peers and the popular media. The Longhorn Leaders program provides an alternative, positive message.
In the News
Neighborhood Network
July 12, 2021
Dear Neighbor, Last Friday, City Manager Spencer Cronk released a proposed fiscal year 2022 budget, which funds two police cadet classes next year. A commitment to future cadet classes is a significant step toward solving the Austin Police Department’s staffing crisis. The police department will have at least 156 vacancies by the end of July, in addition… Read more »
Neighborhood Network
June 30, 2021
Dear Neighbor, The latest Chief’s Monthly Report shows year-to-date increases in murder (79 percent), aggravated assault (15 percent), and burglary (4 percent). Robbery (-5 percent) and simple assault (-2 percent) were among the crime categories that decreased. Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk will release a proposed fiscal year 2022 budget on July 9. Budget adoption is scheduled for August… Read more »