September-October 2003

Texas Crime Stoppers Update
Crime Stoppers News From Across Texas

October 30, 2003

Laredo and Wichita Falls Recognized

At its recent annual conference in Australia Crime Stoppers International awarded Laredo Crime Stoppers in Group Three Population: 1st Place Goods Recovered, 2nd Place Feature Story, 3rd Place Drugs Recovered.

Wichita Falls in Group Three Population: 1st Place in Drugs Recovered, Goods Recovered, Arrests, Cases Cleared, and Civilian of the Year.

Laredo I.S.D. Campus Crime Stoppers in Group One Population: 1st Place in Special Report/Feature Story, Drugs Recovered, Goods Recovered, Cases Cleared and 2nd Place Special Radio Award PSA.

International Crime Stoppers Civilian of the Year

The title was awarded to Carol Robison who has been the board secretary of Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers for two years and works tirelessly on several committees and fundraisers every year. The award nomination packet stated: “From cooking in the kitchen to cleaning items donated for the annual auction, Carol is a hardworking crime stopper. She lobbied the support of Senator Craig Estes who is an avid promoter for all crime stoppers programs in Texas.”

“Carol is the first one to arrive and the last one to leave all functions. Carol has worked very hard on the yearly sponsorship program to raise funds. She has encouraged many citizens to become sponsors. Her motivation and initiative is a true example for all board members to follow.

“Carol continues to promote the program everywhere she goes, including her own artwork and framing business. Her enthusiasm has been an encouragement for other board members and citizens to follow.”

In Memoriam

Alvin G. Pirtle, 73, passed away Friday, September 26 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was a devoted board member of Athens-Henderson County Crime Stoppers since 1996. He was a veteran who served during the Korean conflict. He served law enforcement as a detective for the Mesquite Police Department and a deputy for Henderson County.

Athens-Henderson County Crime Stoppers’ Annette Heflin said: “We sure will miss him—he was so faithful. He came to the August meeting, but missed the September meeting. He looked so forward to coming to the meetings. I found out later he was in the hospital the day of our meeting. I should have known something was wrong to keep him from coming. It was just up until the very last that the cancer physically took its effect on him.”

Texas' Best

On October 8, 2003, at the 9th Annual Texas Campus Crime Stoppers Conference in Dallas, Texas, the Texas Crime Stoppers Council made the following presentations. The awards are made each year in recognition of outstanding achievement in the categories listed.

Board Member of the Year: Amy Slough, Abilene Campus Crime Stoppers

Coordinator of the Year: Kittrie Glen, Stephen F. Austin Middle School, Brazos County Crime Stoppers

Joe Martino School Administrator of the Year: Billy Copeland, Lamar County Crime Stoppers

Innovative Publicity Award: Student Crime Stoppers of Amarillo

Best General Newsprint: Lamar County Student Crime Stoppers

Newsprint—Best Crime of the Week: Harrell A.L.C., Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers

Radio Competition—Best PSA/Special Production: Odessa Student Crime Stoppers

Radio Competition—Best Crime of the Week: Student Crime Stoppers of Amarillo

Television Competition—Best Special Production/PSA: University High School Crime Stoppers, Waco

Television Competition—Best Crime of the Week: Student Crime Stoppers of Amarillo

Best Website: Hallsville High School Crime Stoppers, Hallsville

Productivity Awards

Small School Certified—Greatest Dollar Recovery/Most Cases Cleared: Hallsville High School Crime Stoppers, Hallsville

Medium School Certified—Greatest Dollar Recovery/Most Cases Cleared: Marshall High School Crime Stoppers, Marshall

Large School Certified—Greatest Dollar Recovery: Student Crime Stoppers of Amarillo

Large School Certified—Most Cases Cleared: Laredo I.S.D. Campus Crime Stoppers

Small Individual School—Greatest Dollar Recovery: Armstrong Middle School, Plano I.S.D.

Small Individual School—Most Cases Cleared: Stephen F. Austin Middle School, Brazos County

Small Umbrella—Most Cases Cleared: Lamar County Campus Crime Stoppers

Small Umbrella—Greatest Dollar Recovery: Harlingen Campus Crime Stoppers

Medium Umbrella—Most Cases Cleared: Brazos County Campus Crime Stoppers

Medium Umbrella—Greatest Dollar Recovery: Odessa Student Crime Stoppers

Large Umbrella—Most Cases Cleared: North Mesquite High School Crime Stoppers

Large Umbrella—Greatest Dollar Recovery: Wichita Falls Campus Crime Stoppers

X-Large Umbrella—Greatest Dollar Recovery/Most Cases Cleared: Greater Dallas Campus Crime Stoppers

Texas Crime Stoppers Poster Contest
Renee Beheler, University High School Crime Stoppers, Waco, submitted the best depiction of why a school should have a campus crime stoppers program.

Campus Crime Stoppers Ambassadors
For the first time student board members were chosen to represent Texas campus programs. In addition to performing special duties at the 10th annual campus crime stoppers conference, ambassadors provide input to the planning process for the 10th annual conference.

Jeff Kline, Clark High School, Plano I.S.D. Crime Stoppers
Jamie Longhurst, Clark High School, Plano I.S.D. Crime Stoppers
Jennifer Martinez, University High School, Waco
Amy Slough, Abilene Campus Crime Stoppers

Traveling Trophy
A panel of judges chose Odessa Student Crime Stoppers from among the conference attendees as the group that demonstrated the best combination of deportment, participation, and teamwork at the conference.

9th Annual Campus Conference

The Greater Dallas Crime Commission hosted this year’s annual campus conference. Training, recognition, networking, and after-hours fun were conference features.

Carli G. from Plano I.S.D. Crime Stoppers visited with several first-time attendees at the 9th annual conference.

Carli: “Hi, I’m just collecting some thoughts from people who are at a crime stoppers conference for the first time. So, what are your thoughts on this conference so far?”
	Kati: “Well, I think this is an excellent opportunity for the students and the adults to really connect with each other. It is also an excellent chance for children to make new friends and meet new people. Another thing that I enjoy about this conference is that by having all these schools here together, you can get tons of new ideas for your school’s program.”
Carli: “What do you like most?”
	Kelly: “Well, I think this conference is very interesting and informative. I guess overall I have been very impressed. I was also very pleased with the speakers. They were excellent.”
Carli: “What are your thoughts on all of the students’ involvement?”
	Kelly: “I think that the student involvement is great and the fact the students and adults are connecting in a positive way is excellent.”
Carli: “What are your thoughts about this conference, this being your first time to attend?”
	Gay: “I am very impressed with the organization and all of the student involvement.”
Carli: “Is there anything that you liked about the setup of this conference?”
	Gay: “The organization of this conference was amazing and they give you a lot of chances to choose any of the meetings that you would like to go to which is great because you really learn a lot.”
Carli: “What about all of the speakers and the different schools coming together?”
	Gay: “The speakers were good. I was very glad to see the ‘Tip to Jail’ presentation and the cultural differences performances, because it really gives the students a chance to connect with others and come together.”
Carli: “Yeah.”
	Gay: “This has been a very fun, interesting, and creative experience for me and the others I am with.”

T.E.A.M.

By Ruthy V. October 7, 2003: This year the 9th Annual Campus Crime Stoppers Conference was held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas. This Conference has been held for the past 9 years and it encourages students at their schools to try to prevent crime on their campuses. It has taken the help of many officers, sponsors, and volunteers to organize this conference. Without the help of these people it wouldn’t have been possible.

The Campus Crime Stoppers Conference is not all work and learning. It also lets us come up with ideas that help us promote and make our school and community a better place. It takes about a year and a half and a lot of dedication and hard work in order to have an enjoyable conference. This conference has taught that Campus Crime Stoppers across the state of Texas can utilize the T.E.A.M. concept … Together Everyone Achieves More.

This conference has given me some new ideas to take back to my area and share with people. I think these facilities are 1st class and the speakers were great, and also how the students are majorly [sic] involved and that is one thing that I love. I have been very impressed.

Brad B. – Roxton I.S.D. Crime Stoppers

Click here for more conference photographs.

Change to Texas Crime Stoppers Council Statistical Reports

Effective with the third quarter 2003 report, the TCSAC statistical report forms are submitted to:
Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI)
4476 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4476
979.845.8800
Fax 979.845.0249
Toll Free Fax 888.351.3485

Certification

The Texas Crime Stoppers Council met in Dallas, Texas, October 6, 2003, and approved re-certification for Crime Stoppers of El Paso, Lampasas County Crime Stoppers, Crime Stoppers of Lufkin, Crime Stoppers of San Angelo, Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Crime Stoppers, Crime Stoppers at Texas State University-San Marcos, United ISD Campus Crime Stoppers, Waco Crime Stoppers, Willacy County Crime Stoppers, and Wood County Crime Stoppers.

The following programs’ certification expires January 24, 2004, and must be renewed at the January 22 Texas Crime Stoppers Council meeting to continue receiving court payments and restitution fees: Abilene Crime Stoppers, Alice/Jim Wells County Crime Stoppers, Burleson County Crime Stoppers, Childress County Crime Stoppers, Johnson County Crime Stoppers, Killeen Crime Stoppers, Marshall High School Crime Stoppers, Nolan County Crime Stoppers, Tri-County Crime Stoppers, Vernon/Wilbarger County Crime Stoppers, Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers, and Wise County Crime Stoppers.

New Form For Re-Certification Process

The Criminal Justice Division, Office of the Governor, has updated the form that local programs must use when requesting re-certification. This form contains the requirements approved by the Texas Crime Stoppers Council on August 1, 2003, and published in the Texas Administrative Code.

Local programs requesting certification renewal MUST comply with all the requirements listed on the form, including participation in training by at least one board member and the coordinator within the 12-month period preceding the re-certification request.

The new form is available in word or pdf format.

LAST CHANCE FOR TRAINING COMING DECEMBER 2-3

Local programs requesting re-certification from the Texas Crime Stoppers Council in January 2004 must provide training certificates for the coordinator and at least one board member showing that the training occurred within the 12-month period preceding certification renewal. The only basic training program scheduled before the January renewal period is December 2-3 in Dallas.

Basic Crime Stoppers Course

Dallas Omni Park West
December 2-3, 2003

This is the only time this course is presented during the 2004 fiscal year (September 1, 2003 – August 31, 2004).

Course topics include state operations, operational guidelines, governor’s office, campus programs, legal issues, media relations, publicity, and funding.

For brochure and printed registration form click here.

FAQ

Q: Do the training certificates issued for attendance at either the annual conference or the annual campus conference count toward fulfilling the training requirement?

A: YES. Programs seeking re-certification in January 2004 when the Texas Crime Stoppers Council meets January 22 in Houston must have received training between January 2003 and December 2003.

Texas Crime Stoppers Training/ICJS
Texas State University-San Marcos
West Campus - Canyon Hall
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Toll free phone 866-220-4357
Phone 512-245-0571
Fax 512-245-2851

Director
George Landry
Coordinator
Colin Ashburn
Office Manager
Maggie Hutchins
Student Worker
Vanessa Gonzales