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Since 1981, tips to Crime Stoppers helped solve over 30,000 cases and paid out $9 million dollars in cash rewards. Last year, those tips led to almost 750 arrests. This is Crime Stoppers Executive Director Katherine Cabaniss:
“The emphasis is always on catching the bad guys, and we’ve been doing that for 30 years and we do that better than anyone in the country. Now we’re increasing the emphasis, teaching citizens how they can prevent crime in their community.”
She says they hope to educate the average citizen on how they too can prevent crime, like never leave valuables in your vehicle.
“So many people are victimized by car burglaries. If we can just get that message out, that crime prevention message, we can speak to the people who are abiding by every law and going about their business every day, but we can leverage them to fight and prevent crime as well.”
Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia says crime prevention will be a philosophy that residents will be hearing and embracing:
“And I think that it will just make things so much better when people know, that a little change in habit — a little change in how one goes about their day, can really keep the whole community safe.”
Houston Mayor Annise Parker says when it comes to crime prevention, money talks.
“Whether you need the reward or want the reward, you have a clear mechanism for reporting crime. But by having a recognizable presence in the community, they believe that they can play a larger role in uniting the community to prevent crimes before they happen.”
You can find more information on Crime Stoppers’ “Champions for Change” initiative at www.crime-stoppers.org or by calling 713 521-4600.