Written by Tony Griffin
Overall, students feel safe on campus. The UT campus is well lit, there are generally at least some people on campus at all times, and programs such as SURE Walk (which offers a walk late at night home from the libraries on campus), and UTPD Escort Service, both contribute to better feelings of security to students. There are few guys who don't feel safe walking on campus alone, and many girls feel safe walking alone, as well. However, it is a good policy to walk with others rather than alone. Campus police are usually seen on campus, and there are blue-light phones that will notify police of your location on campus if there is ever an emergency. While most girls feel safe walking on the actual campus alone at night, the areas surrounding campus are a different story. In the West Campus area there are definitely dangers. There have been various “West Campus Rapists.” Walking alone in West Campus at night is unsafe behavior. However, if you take general precautions, Austin and the campus area are safe.
Just be smart and don’t take unnecessary risks. Austin is not a high crime city—it's not like living in inner-city Houston, Los Angeles, or New York. Austin is a much quieter town crime-wise, but that's not to say things don’t happen. But, for the most part, if you are aware of your surroundings, and especially if you are on campus, safety and security are a non-issue.