We pursue the necessary public safety improvements by advocating for the needs of students and stakeholders, implementing strategic partnerships with other safety organizations.

Ongoing advocacy projects:

• Rated as a concern for safety in West Campus, we are working with CASE Systems to add blue light call boxes. So far, there has been one added to the 23rd street artist market. The goal is to place five call boxes in high crime hotspots throughout West Campus.
• Text alerts should be sent to parents/guardians/loved ones of UT Austin students when an event concerning safety occurs. Parents/guardians deserve to be aware of their loved-ones’ safety status. We have previously advocated for improved communication between APD/UTPD and students to ensure students can be connected and protect themselves from harm.

Programs and Initiatives:

Self-Defense Workshops 

• These classes provide students with a level of control over their own safety.

National Night Out 

• Held annually in October, this event helps promote a positive relationship between the police and the communities in which they operate.

Achievements:

• City approved a funded plan to bring lighting in West Campus up to code by 2023.
• Won the Tiff’s Treats Cookie Contest in both 2019 and 2020.
• Attended and presented at multiple national and state level safety conferences to ensure our initiatives and concerns are up-to-date.
• Lobbied the Austin City Council to include West Campus as part of the city’s Homeless Outreach Street Team.
• Worked alongside other volunteers and groups to provide food and water to University of Texas at Austin students during the 2021 winter storm.
• Met with city leaders to create a pilot program known as “Workforce First.” The program provides individuals with the opportunity to work in service of the community to reduce dependency on the local public and foster a better sense of purpose

Donations:

• Donated $2,400 to the SUREWalk program to support the addition of more golf-carts
• Donated $1,500 to establish a food pantry/career closet to support UT Austin students in need, following up with continual donations