SafeHorns is an advocacy group created and run by University of Texas at Austin parents who came together because of one common goal: to fight for the public safety of students and stakeholders on and around the UT Austin campus and surrounding student neighborhoods.

SafeHorns is a parent-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit, powered entirely by volunteers and community donations. We receive no ongoing funding from the University of Texas or the City of Austin.

We recognize and commend the important work of the University of Texas Police Department and the Austin Police Department. With more than 55,000 students and a rapidly growing city, there are understandably gaps where additional attention, advocacy, and resources are needed. For example, safety infrastructure such as standardized lighting and emergency call boxes has historically been inconsistent in off-campus student neighborhoods where many Longhorns live — gaps that require sustained advocacy to address.

Public safety does not stop at the edge of campus. We advocate for safety measures that extend into surrounding neighborhoods, such as west campus, working to address areas where additional coordination, accountability, or action is necessary to better protect students and residents.

We advocate for prevention-focused approaches such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which emphasizes thoughtful planning, lighting, visibility, and environmental design to reduce risk and improve safety in everyday spaces.

All of SafeHorns’ efforts are volunteer-based. Our team contributes time and expertise out of genuine care for the Longhorn community, and donations directly support safety initiatives, advocacy efforts, community programs, and investments aimed at reducing risk and improving conditions around campus.

We focus on practical, proactive solutions—working to prevent harm, raise awareness, and push for meaningful improvements that make a real difference in students’ daily lives.

Whether you are a student, parent, faculty member, staff member, or visitor, you should be able to spend time on and around the University of Texas at Austin campus without fear for your safety. We are advocates for the people, committed to thoughtful, action-oriented solutions that help protect and strengthen the Longhorn community.

How SafeHorns Is Funded

SafeHorns is funded entirely through individual donations and community support. We do not receive ongoing funding from the University of Texas or the City of Austin.

Every contribution helps sustain our advocacy work, safety initiatives, community programming, and efforts to push for meaningful, long-term improvements in student and neighborhood safety. Donations allow us to remain independent, responsive, and focused on prevention-first solutions that benefit the entire Longhorn community.

If you believe students deserve to feel safe both on and off campus, we invite you to support this work by making a donation or sharing our mission with others. Your support directly sustains the advocacy and action that make this work possible.