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Governor Greg Abbott signs the most powerful bail reform package in Texas history

From the Desk of Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston  

June 4, 2025

Yesterday marked a historic and deeply meaningful moment in our pursuit of justice and public safety. With the signing of SB 9, SB 40, HB 75, and SJR 5, Texas has taken a bold and necessary step to repair a fractured bail system — a system that, for far too long, has allowed dangerous, repeat violent offenders to be released, often multiple times, resulting in tragic and irreversible consequences. While this has been a legislative process, it is not political. We were all thankful for the bipartisan support it received.

Since 2018, we at Crime Stoppers of Houston have been relentless in our efforts to shine a light on the failures of this system. We’ve stood with grieving families. We’ve raised our voices in honor of lives lost. Led by Crime Stoppers of Houston Director of Victim Services and Advocacy Andy Kahan, we advocated for reforms that prioritize the safety of law-abiding citizens and victims over the release of those who continue to harm our communities. Additionally, our Glenda Gordy Research Center team tracked and provided crime data to support these critical efforts.

With the signing of these bail reform bills, Texas is sending a clear and unwavering message: violent criminals will no longer cycle in and out of jail without accountability. Families who have lived with unimaginable pain now have a reason to believe in a system that protects, not endangers. Justice and accountability are being restored.

To Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Joan Huffman, Chairman John Smithee and the countless other elected officials, law enforcement officials and advocates who helped make this day possible — thank you. Your leadership will save lives.

To the victims and families who have suffered devastating loss — this change is for you, and because of you. Your courage, your voices, your stories have fueled this reform. You have turned your pain into purpose, and today, Texas stands stronger because of it.

With gratitude and resolve,

Rania Mankarious

CEO, Crime Stoppers of Houston

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL EVENT

Protecting Animals in Our Community

 

 

Did you know that animal cruelty in Texas can result in fines of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of up to two years? Thanks to House Bill 656 and Senate Bill 1724—collectively known as Loco’s Law—animal cruelty has been a criminal offense in the state since 2001. This landmark legislation was named after Loco, a dog who suffered a horrific act of abuse when his eyes were intentionally gouged out. His tragic case ignited a movement that led to stronger protections for animals across Texas.

What is Animal Cruelty?

Animal cruelty takes many forms, ranging from neglect and abandonment to outright abuse and exploitation. Some of the most common instances include puppy mills, factory farming, illegal wildlife trade, and entertainment industries that force animals into inhumane conditions. Recognizing these forms of cruelty is the first step in preventing them, as every individual has the power to make a difference by speaking out against mistreatment and advocating for better animal welfare standards.

Animals are essential members of our communities, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being. Animal cruelty is broadly defined as the intentional infliction of harm on an animal or the failure to provide essential care for its survival. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Inflicting physical harm or torture on an animal
• Failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or medical care
• Abandoning an animal in unsafe or inhumane conditions
• Transporting or confining an animal in a cruel or hazardous manner
• Killing, seriously injuring, or poisoning an animal
• Forcing an animal to engage in fights with other animals
• Using live animals as bait or lures in racing or other activities
• Tripping or intentionally causing injury to a horse
• Harming or maiming an animal belonging to another individual
• Subjecting an animal to extreme labor or overexertion beyond its capacity

The Impact of Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is unfortunately a widespread issue, with some of the most reported cases involving cats, dogs, horses, and livestock. Alarmingly, Texas leads the nation in animal cruelty cases, with nearly 7,000 reported incidents between 2011 and 2021 according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Many cases of animal cruelty go unreported because people either don’t recognize the signs or hesitate to take action. Common indicators of neglect or abuse include visible wounds, extreme malnutrition, poor living conditions, and animals left outdoors in harsh weather without shelter. We must also pay attention to behavioral signs like excessive fear, aggression, or extreme withdrawal can also point to mistreatment. If you suspect animal abuse, it’s crucial to report it to local authorities, animal control agencies, or humane organizations. By taking a stand and reporting abuse, you could save an animal from a life of suffering and hold offenders accountable. Something to take note of is that individuals who engage in animal abuse can escalate to harming humans. Studies have shown that animal cruelty is often a precursor to violence against children and adults. Addressing and preventing animal abuse can ultimately help prevent broader societal harm.

How You Can Help: Minimizing Situations for Possible Abuse and Reporting Animal Cruelty

Preventing animal cruelty doesn’t always require drastic action—small, everyday choices can make a significant impact. Adopting pets instead of buying from breeders, supporting cruelty-free brands, and reducing meat consumption all contribute to a kinder world for animals. Volunteering at shelters, educating others about animal welfare, and donating to organizations fighting against cruelty are also effective ways to help. Even spreading awareness on social media can influence others to make more compassionate choices. Every action, no matter how small, helps move society toward a future where animals are treated with the respect and care they deserve.

The Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce is dedicated to improving the welfare of animals and ending abuse. This task force works alongside law enforcement, animal control agencies, prosecutors, veterinarians, and the Houston Humane Society to combat animal cruelty and educate the community on how to respond when abuse is suspected.

If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, it is critical to report it immediately. You can file a report online or call the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce at 832-927-PAWS.

Our mission to solve and prevent serious crime in the Greater Houston Area would not be possible without the support of our generous donors and partners. The support of organizations like Houston PetSet has allowed Crime Stoppers of Houston’s animal cruelty prevention and awareness initiatives to remain an innovative and ever-expanding resource for animal safety education in the Greater Houston Area and beyond.

By staying informed and taking action, we can make a difference. Thank you for being a part of this important cause.

Sources:

• The Humane Society of the United States: Animal Cruelty Facts and Stats
• Total Vet: Animal Abuse Statistics
• Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce

Breaking the Silence: Raising Awareness for Teen Dating Violence

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This issue affects millions of young people every day. Teen dating violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and digital abuse.

Unfortunately, some teens may not recognize the abuse, or they may be too afraid to speak out. It is crucial for teens to recognize the warning signs of abuse in their relationships. Some red flags include extreme jealousy or insecurity, belittling or put-downs, pressure for sexual activity, and threats of harm.

There are many ways for teens to protect themselves if they experience dating violence. Setting boundaries, trusting their instincts, and having a safety plan are essential steps. It is also important to know when to seek help. Teens should talk to a trusted adult—such as a parent, teacher, or counselor—if they feel unsafe. They can also reach out to a local domestic violence hotline or law enforcement for support.

Every teen deserves a healthy, respectful relationship. By speaking up and supporting one another, we can break the cycle of abuse and create a future where love is safe and empowering.

For more information, visit millionformillion.org.

 

3 FAQs About Illicit Massage Businesses

One of the most well-known forms of human trafficking is the selling of commercial sex within illicit massage businesses (IMBs). It is the second most common type of trafficking reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline¹, and most Houstonians can find an IMB within a short driving distance of their home, school, or place of employment.

It’s important to remember that most massage businesses in America are not illicit – they employ perfectly legal operations and provide safe and effective treatment for their clientele. We must also remember that not all massage workers at an IMB provide sexual services, and many regular customers would never know that some clients in the next room are paying for sex.

But in our community outreach efforts, our team here at Crime Stoppers of Houston is constantly asked about trafficking by concerned neighbors, and this unfortunate reality is very much alive in our city.

We have found that many of our community members share common questions about the nature of trafficking and illicit massage businesses within our city:

How can you tell if a massage parlor is legitimate or not?

This is by far one of the most common questions our team gets. A few signs that a massage business may be facilitating human trafficking include:

• Windows that are completely covered or blacked out
• Customers must buzz in to enter the business
• They refuse to admit or serve female customers
• Listed rates for massages are lower than the industry standard
• You are asked to pay for massage services before receiving treatment
• There are no intake forms you are required to complete prior to receiving treatment

The presence of one or more of these indicators could be a sign that a business is involved in the sale of commercial sex.

Why don’t victims just leave?

Victim workers in these establishments are primarily controlled through debt bondage, blackmail, intense psychological manipulation, and/or physical violence. Almost every aspect of their life is controlled — where they live, what they eat, where they go, what they look like, and who they are allowed to talk to.

On top of that, many victims are not U.S. citizens, so they may have cultural and language barriers, fear law enforcement, and/or have no or limited knowledge of their rights, which can make it incredibly difficult for them to seek support. 

For others, working in an IMB is the only way they are able to provide for themselves, their children, and family members they may have abroad. Many victim workers simply cannot afford to jeopardize their situation, no matter how inhumane and dangerous it might be.

Why don’t the police just shut them down?

Permanently shutting down an illicit massage business is a complicated process. Police operations like raids and undercover stings can result in trafficking victims being arrested and booked on prostitution charges, while the actual trafficker evades any legal consequences. Additionally, most of these businesses are part of much larger organized crime networks, and if one location is closed, traffickers will simply shift the  victims to another.

Building a solid case that will remove traffickers from society in the long term takes time, resources, and hard work. As our law enforcement partners work to gather evidence and pursue criminal charges, there are other steps regular citizens can take to curb trafficking in our communities.

Business owners are required to adhere to various codes and regulations in order to operate legally, but many IMBs may not be following these requirements and may be vulnerable to civil penalties, including fines and potential closures.

We encourage citizen involvement, particularly in supporting victims, but uninformed action, however well-intentioned, can do more harm than good. Avoid entering massage parlors you suspect may be IMBs, attempting to talk with potential victims, or taking actions designed to draw attention to a particular business, like a protest. These actions can alert traffickers and cause them to move their operation before victims can be identified and helped.

If you suspect that a location is an IMB and facilitating human trafficking, report a tip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

1. https://polarisproject.org/blog/2018/05/is-there-massage-parlor-trafficking-in-my-community/

 

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