During the month of March, Crime Stoppers focuses on financial crime awareness and prevention. Likewise, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) shares a similar mission all year long to reduce the incidence of fraud and financial crimes by promoting fraud detection and deterrence.

Did you know?
Did you know that financial crimes, also referred to as white collar crimes, can take many different forms? A financial crime is committed by or against an individual or corporation and results in a monetary loss. The most common forms of financial crimes are tax fraud, money laundering, credit card fraud, identity theft and organizational fraud. Organizational fraud includes the theft of company assets, manipulation of company financial statements and corruption. Fraud costs organizations worldwide an estimated 5 percent of their annual revenues, according to a study conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). The ACFE’s 2016 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse analyzed 2,410 occupational fraud cases that caused a total loss of more than $6.3 billion.

How can you get Involved?
The first step in fighting fraud is raising awareness that it is a serious problem that requires a proactive approach toward preventing it. Here are a few things you can do to get involved:
•    Start a conversation: Get involved today, by engaging a neighbor, friend, colleague and/or family member in a conversation about fraud awareness and prevention tips. Additionally, if you have been or are currently a victim of a financial crime, share your story.
•    Report suspicious activity: The most common method of detection regarding crimes are tips. Based on the ACFE’s 2016 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, about 39 percent of fraud is discovered by anonymous tips. Identify the correct channels to report tips in your organization and our community.
•    Safeguard your assets: A few ways to reduce exposure to financial crimes include protecting your financial data, by shredding documents with sensitive information before discarding, changing passwords frequently, and implementing segregation of duties within organizations.

Other Resources:
•    Tools for fraud victims: Fraudaid.org a not for profit organization that works for fraud victims.
•    Cost of Fraud: Staggering-Cost-of-Fraud.pdf Cost-of-Complaceny.pdf
•    Perform a Fraud prevention Checkup in your organization: Collaborate with your colleagues or management team to perform a checkup to determine your organizations readiness and identify potential risks that may exist. Fraud_Prev_Checkup_DL(1).pdf
•    Fraud Tips for Business Leaders:5-Fraud-Tips-Every-Business-Leader-Should-Act-On.pdf

From a truly respected physics and astronomy professor at Rice University, to gone in a blink. Marjorie Corcoran was killed in a tragic bike accident February 3rd and is missed by so many. Three days later, another death occurred due to a bike collision in Houston. Two deaths in three days… a tragic reminder as to why bike safety is so important in the Houston area.

With 2.2 million Houstonians, thousands are using bikes as their main source of transportation. It’s most definitely cheaper on gas and car maintenance, convenient and great exercise. Though some may think it’s also safer than a car, it comes with just as many dangers in such a congested city like Houston. Actually, according to the Texas Accident Data Center, “riding a bicycle is riskier than driving a car.” It is more difficult to stay in control on two wheels rather than four and when an accident happens, you are at greater risks for injury or death due to the lack of protection. The most common causes of cyclist crashes are from motorists turning across the path of a cyclist or a cyclist riding into the path of a motor vehicle. From both standpoints, never assume.

With that said, BikeHouston is a nonprofit on a mission to transform Houston by creating safe bike ways to improve the quality of life of all Houstonians. They have come up with a bike map of the inner loop of Houston that includes City of Houston bike routes and places of interest. Since Houston is under continuous construction it is always important to plan ahead and look at the safest way to get to your destination. The City of Houston’s Bikeway Detours can help you plan for street closures before your ride: https://www.houstonbikeways.org/bike-detour-announcements

Biking should be fun, not terrifying; but remember you as a cyclist have just as many rules to follow as the driver of a motor vehicle. Here are some things to remember as both a cyclist and driver to ensure your safety.

As a Cyclist:
•    Abide by the Laws – You have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers!
•    Stay visible to drivers at all times.
•    Keep your cell phone and earphones OFF.
•    NEVER drink and ride.
•    Always wear a helmet.
•    Plan your route ahead of time by map. Check for road closures and detours as well as metro/train schedules.
•    Yield to all pedestrians.
•    If riding in the dark, wear reflective clothing.
•    In case of an emergency, learn how to change a flat tire before leaving your residence.

As a Driver:
•    Abide by the Laws!
•    Stay off your phone.
•    NEVER drink and drive.
•    Avoid speeding.
•    Give cyclists enough space on the road. Legally, you must always pass with a minimum of three feet clearance if you’re driving a car or light truck. You must pass with a minimum of six feet clearance in a truck or commercial vehicle.
•    At intersections, always yield to cyclists and watch for “darting” cyclists.
•    You may not park, stop or drive on a designated bike path.

Bikes on Buses:
You may take your bike with you when riding on a bus as the METRO buses have racks on the front bumper holding up to two bikes. You can learn how to load and unload your bike on the METRO bus racks here: http://www.ridemetro.org/Pages/BikesonBuses.aspx.

It feels just like yesterday we were celebrating the New Year yet somehow Spring Break is already right around the corner. A much anticipated week for students, families and children getting out of school. Whether you’re vacationing or planning a “staycation,” there are precautionary measures you and your family should take. Studies show that vehicle fatalities in popular Spring Break spots rose by nine percent in 2015, as this week-long holiday is a deadly time on Texas roadways. Be sure to have fun and extra cautious when planning your travels. Don’t let all of the commotion and excitement steer you away from the potential dangers of this break.

Safe Travels

• If leaving your home for vacation, contact your local police department to see if your neighborhood offers a house watch program.
• Keep lights on in your home and leave cars in the driveway to make it appear as if you’re home.
• Before leaving, be sure to have your driver’s license and a valid proof of insurance. Make copies of these items in case they get misplaced during your travels.
• Be alert while riding in taxi’s, Uber’s, and other forms of transportation. Follow along with your map to ensure they are taking you the right direction.
• Never get in a vehicle with someone you suspect or know has been drinking.
• Take turns driving if you are on a long road trip so everyone stays well-rested.
• If you are driving far, make sure your vehicle is up to date on maintenance and has a full tank of gas before leaving.
• Never leave valuable items in your vehicle while traveling.
• Don’t allow your location services to be public on your social media sites. Avoid posting “live” videos while out of town.
• Carry a small purse and keep it close to your body.
• Keep your valuables in the safe of your hotel room. Don’t leave them out.

On the Beach

• Use UV protective clothing on children. Babies up to 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.
• Apply water-resistant sunscreen every couple of hours to prevent burning. Look for the words “broad-spectrum” on the label.
• Use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The sun can still burn your skin through the clouds.
• Stay hydrated as the sun will quickly dehydrate your body even being in the water.
• Remember, sun maximizes the effects of alcohol! Closely monitor how much you are consuming.
• Use caution in the ocean. Calm water usually means a safe swim; however, always monitor the tides and keep close to shore – you never know how deep the water is going to get.

Traveling Outside of the Country

• Remember your passport! Make a copy of it before leaving the house.
• Avoid keeping large wads of cash and carry two different types of credit/debit cards on you.
• Designer luggage can draw attention to your bags.
• Confirm with your cell phone carrier that you have a data plan which allows oversea access to avoid a high bill when you return.
• Learn the local emergency line (an equivalent to 911).

You don’t realize you’re being abused. You tell yourself, “that’s just how he is, he can’t help it,” and everything’s okay again once he tells you he loves you. You make excuses to your friends when they question why you don’t leave him for treating you poorly. “He’ll grow up, I know he truly cares about me deep down.” But the truth is, abuse doesn’t have to be physical to hurt. And there’s never an excuse to put up with it.

I dated a guy on and off for about a year and a half. We were very young, and he didn’t have the best examples growing up for how a healthy relationship should function. I really can’t even blame him for the pain he caused me. I truly believe he didn’t know better, and blame and anger doesn’t help the healing process. He was manipulative and immature. He was addicted to pornography, like too many other young people in this day. He thought rape was funny, and he was against absolutely everything I stand for. But I thought I was in love.  I felt isolated and alone. I would spend every afternoon after school in my room in the dark, unmoving. I was so deep in a depression and I didn’t even realize it. I thought if I did the things he wanted from me, he would be kinder to me, like a good boyfriend should. But he never was. I thought I should put up with cruel treatment because I thought I was in love. I thought it was a part of life, and things would get better. One day he’d realize how horrible he was to me, and that I deserved better from him. One day, he’d be romantic and kind and it would make up for all the emotional abuse I suffered at his hand. But then he left me, like he always did. And I tried to fight to keep him, that’s how deceived I was. I don’t doubt that he’ll grow up one day, and be a better man for someone else. That person just will never be me.

It took a long time, but I got better. There are still emotional scars that need healing, but I am in awe of the progress I’ve made. I can’t even explain how it happened, but one day I simply realized that he was not worth it. No one is worth feeling that kind of pain for. Wounds heal with time, but you still have to make a commitment to yourself to never go backwards. You have to remember that you are worth more, and no person is worth perpetuating your own self-hatred.

One in four teens will sustain physical, psychological, or sexual abuse by dating partners, with 10% to 15% becoming victims of severe physical violence. Many victims of dating violence (DV) experience devastating consequences, including acute and chronic mental and physical health problems, suicidality, delinquency, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, and poor school performance. Moreover, perpetrators of teen DV are at increased risk for continuing intimate partner violence in adulthood, and victims are at risk for future victimization and perpetration.

While any dating teen can experience DV, certain individual, family, and community characteristics increase the likelihood of being in a violent relationship, including 1) having been abused as a child or witnessing violence in their family or neighborhood; 2) participating in other risky behaviors, such as drug or alcohol use, early sexual debut, or general delinquency; and 3) psychological health problems. We also know that some factors protect against DV, such as having pro-social models, having skills needed to effectively resolve conflicts, and having skills to adaptively manage stressful situations.

Although dating violence is a pervasive problem, it is largely preventable. For example, one evidence-based program being implemented throughout the Houston area, Fourth R, integrates the promotion of healthy relationship skills and prevention of DV into existing school curricula. Fourth R components are aligned with state and federal curriculum requirements in health, thus minimizing time and financial burdens placed upon resource-strapped schools. It includes both classroom activities and school-level components in which teachers receive specialized training on teaching about healthy relationships and students form “safe school committees.” Ongoing research has demonstrated that Fourth R reduces dating violence, substance use, and other risky behaviors.

Signs of a healthy relationship include:

1. Treating each other with respect, including being respectful of one another’s time and decisions.
2. Sharing common interests, being happy when together, and not feeling forced to do anything you don’t want to do.
3. Resolving disagreements peacefully and without putting the other person down.

Signs of an unhealthy relationship include:

1. Blaming you or making you feel guilty when bad things happen
2. Smothering you or not wanting you to spend time with other people
3. Not honoring your privacy; this may include wanting your phone password and searching through your pictures or texts
4. Excessive jealousy
5. Trying to change you

Signs of a violent relationship include:

1. Yelling at, making fun of, ridiculing, or trying to control you
2. Threatening to harm you, people close to you, pets, property or themselves
3. Any physical aggression (for example, hits, kicks, slaps, pushes, pulls hair)
4. Forcing you into unwanted sexual situations or acts

For more information, please visit www.loveisrespect.org or you can call the teen dating violence hotline (open 24/7/365) at 866.331.9474