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Domestic Violence Awareness

“If domestic violence was an issue women could solve on their own, it would be solved by now.” When I attended my first Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) partner meeting, one of the other attendees – a long-time victim advocate and expert in the field – shared this thought, and it has stuck with me ever since. It is a poignant reminder of the responsibility that men have in addressing intimate partner violence that happens within our communities. In 2022, domestic violence was the primary motive behind homicides in unincorporated Harris County, accounting for 30% of homicides. In 2021, 204 Texans were killed by an intimate partner; 169 of them were women. During the homicides, perpetrators injured an additional 21 victims including four law enforcement officers, six children, and 11 family members and friends. These numbers illustrate the dire and pervasive nature of domestic violence – it not only affects the household but ripples out into neighborhoods and communities. While we recognize that anyone can be a victim or perpetrator of domestic violence, this blog post focuses on the essential role that men play in combating this pervasive problem. Men, as partners, fathers, friends, and community members, have […]

Posted by Safe Community Institute Manager - Joshua Webb on 29 Sep 2023

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National Night Out – October 3, 2023

National Night Out is October 3rd this year. This initiative is an annual event that brings neighbors, law enforcement, and community organizations together to foster stronger, safer communities. National Night Out encourages neighbors to get to know one another, build trust, and work collaboratively to create safer neighborhoods. Crime Stoppers of Houston is proud to partner with the Houston Police Department this year to provide safety information at 35+ different National Night Out events across Houston with the mission of building trust and unity within communities. Building Trust One of the primary goals of National Night Out is to build trust between community members and law enforcement agencies. By opening up lines of communication and creating positive interactions, both parties gain a better understanding of each other’s perspectives and challenges. This trust forms the foundation for effective crime prevention and community safety initiatives. Crime Stoppers has been working to aid in trust building between the community and law enforcement for 43 years and therefore we love to be engaged in National Night Out each year. Empowering Communities National Night Out encourages communities to take an active role in their own safety. Through organized events such as block parties, cookouts, and […]

Posted by on 29 Sep 2023

National Day of Remembrance – September 24, 2023

National Day of Remembrance The National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, observed annually on September 25th, is a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring and remembering those who have lost their lives to acts of violence. This day serves as a platform for communities, families, and individuals to come together in solidarity, offering support to survivors and acknowledging the profound impact of homicide on individuals, families, and society as a whole. Origins of the Day The National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims traces its roots back to Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC), an organization founded in 1978 by Charlotte and Bob Hullinger after their daughter, Lisa, was tragically murdered. POMC was established to provide support and resources for families who have lost a loved one to homicide. Over the years, POMC worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by survivors of homicide victims. In 2007, Congress officially designated September 25th as the National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims through a unanimous resolution. This recognition marked a significant milestone in acknowledging the pain and grief experienced by survivors and provided a national platform for collective remembrance and support. National Day of Remembrance at Crime Stoppers […]

Posted by Sydney Zuiker - Director of Safe Community Institute on 20 Sep 2023

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The Dangers of Celebratory Gunfire

As we gear up to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, it’s important to remember that safety should always be a top priority. This festive holiday brings us together to commemorate the birth of our nation, but it’s crucial to take precautions and be mindful of potential dangers. The Dangers of Celebratory Gunfire A primary safety concern that arises during July 4th celebrations is the dangerous act of celebratory gunfire. Firing guns into the air to celebrate can have severe consequences, and it’s crucial to raise awareness about the dangers associated with this practice. For this reason, Crime Stoppers of Houston has partnered with Clear Channel Outdoor, the Harris County District Attorney’s office, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and Vice Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum’s office to provide a county-wide billboard campaign about the dangers of celebratory gunfire this holiday season. You can now see 41 billboards strategically placed across our county that provide awareness about this potentially fatal crime, and encourage community members to anonymously report information that could lead to the arrest of an individual who chooses to engage in celebratory gunfire. Know the facts about celebratory gunfire: Gravity’s threat: What goes up must come down. Bullets fired into […]

Posted by Sydney Zuiker on 27 Jun 2023

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How hot is too hot for dogs?

Did you know? Dogs can develop heat stroke in as little as 30 minutes and can die within an hour of experiencing heat stroke. Both temperature and humidity can play a large part in the risk of head stroke in dogs. It is very risky to exercise your dog at temperatures above 77 degrees when high rates of humidity are present. The inside of your car can reach 102 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes on an 85-degree day. Texas Heat As a state with hot summers and high temperatures, it is particularly important to protect animals in Texas from heatstroke, a dangerous condition that can occur when dogs are exposed to high temperatures for an extended period. Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s body temperature rises above its normal range. This condition can be fatal if not treated promptly. Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include: excessive panting difficulty breathing lethargy vomiting diarrhea To prevent heatstroke in dogs, it is important to take precautions during hot weather. One of the most important steps is to never leave a dog in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked. The temperature inside a […]

Posted by Sydney Zuiker - Director of Safe Community Institute on 14 Apr 2023

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Tik Tok Announces Time Limit for Teen Users

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the popular social media platform TikTok announced they would be implementing a new feature, which will automatically set a 60-minute daily screen time limit for users under the age of 18. This new feature is a response to growing concerns from parents over the platform’s potential harmful impact on younger users. According to the new guidelines, when the time limit is up, users will be prompted to enter a passcode to continue using the device. For users 13 and younger, parents will be prompted to input a passcode every 30 minutes for their child to be able to continue to use the platform. TikTok partnered with Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital to determine the length of time for this new screentime limit. Although currently there is not a widely accepted “right” amount of screen time for teens, a promising study by *Tweng and Campbell (2018) found that teens who spend more than seven hours a day on screens are twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression. This initiative has not rolled out yet, but TikTok plans to begin implementing this soon. For more information on social media and mental […]

Posted by on 06 Mar 2023

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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

For the month of February, Crime Stoppers focuses on the issue of Teen Dating Violence (TDV). Also called intimate partner violence, TDV includes physical, psychological, sexual, and electronic abuse, and can happen with a current or former partner. Teens often think some behaviors, like teasing and name-calling, are a “normal” part of a relationship, but these behaviors can become abusive and develop into serious forms of violence. Other common forms of TDV include: sending repeated and unwanted messages cyberstalking (constantly checking location via social media or another app) pressuring a partner to perform sexual acts or send explicit pictures frequently criticizing and humiliating their partner refusing to take accountability for their bad actions forbidding a partner from talking to certain people spreading rumors about sexual activity going through a partner’s phone without permission Many teens do not report unhealthy behaviors. 33% of adolescents in America experience some form of dating abuse, but only one-third of students experiencing TDV ever report it1. Part of that is due to students not recognizing the forms of abuse they see, but another reason is because of the fear and stigma around being victimized by a partner. At Crime Stoppers, not only do we seek […]

Posted by Joshua Webb, Program Coordinator - Crime Stoppers of Houston on 26 Jan 2023