Business, community and faith leaders praise interim chief’s experience and leadership AUSTIN, TEXAS — April 30, 2018 — The Greater Austin Crime Commission announced its support today for City Manager Spencer Cronk’s decision to name Brian Manley as the finalist for chief of the Austin Police Department. Manley has served as interim chief of police… 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
News
Commentary: Austin is growing. Shouldn’t our police force expand, too?
By Elizabeth Christian and David L. Roche – Special to the American-Statesman Updated: 5:18 p.m. Wednesday, September 06, 2017 The Austin City Council thinks we’re safe enough. Otherwise, how do you explain a reduction in public safety spending as a percentage of the city’s budget next year? Despite population growth, increases in violent crime, emergency… Read more »
Blog, News
Austin Police Staffing Studies
Since 2012, three Austin Police Department staffing studies have recommended adding patrol positions. Copies of the reports (2012 PERF, 2015 GACC, and 2016 Matrix) and a transcript of the 2016 Matrix Group presentation to the Austin City Council are available below. A complete copy of the 2016 Matrix analysis and recommendations (12MB) is available here. 2012 PERF… Read more »