AUSTIN, TEXAS — July 29, 2016 — As work begins on next year’s municipal budget, the Greater Austin Crime Commission issued a challenge to the Austin City Council to fund public safety first and called for the release of the latest taxpayer-funded community policing study. “We urge the mayor and council not to disregard the… 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
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Fund Public Safety First
By David L. Roche – Special to the American-Statesman Posted: 11:51 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 The Dallas shootings are a stark reminder of the risks police officers face every day to keep us safe. Our dedicated public safety professionals deserve the support of a thankful community and the resources to do their jobs. As… Read more »
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Greater Austin Crime Commission
The Greater Austin Crime Commission was established in 1997 to support Central Texas law enforcement, raise public awareness about crime prevention programs, and promote a cooperative and coordinated community anti-crime effort. The Crime Commission promotes public safety programs that improve the community’s quality of life.