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CRIME STOPPERS 2011 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REPORT

AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK

INSIDE THE CAMPAIGN TO

COMBAT DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE IN HARRIS

COUNTY. STORIES OF THE

CRIMINALS ARRESTED

AND THE LIVES

PROTECTED

ALSO INSIDE A CALL FOR HELP PHONE DRIVE

A TELLING OF AMY’S STORY

REFLECTIONS ON DOMESTIC ABUSE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EDITOR IN CHIEF

CONTRIBUTOR

WEB EDITOR

CRIME STOPPERS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

SAFE SCHOOL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

KATHERINE CABANISS

RYAN S. SULLIVAN

JASON FELDPAUSCH

JASON FELDPAUSCH

EXECUTIVE STAFF

KATHERINE CABANISS

JASON FELDPAUSCH

RYAN S. SULLIVAN

ASHLY ALBERTO

RANIA MANKARIOUS

DERRIC WHITFIELD

Mission Statement

Crime Stoppers of Houston's mission is to solve and prevent serious crime in the Greater Houston

area in partnership with citizens, media and the criminal justice system.

History of Crime Stoppers

The original Crime Stoppers program was created in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Citizens

were encouraged to call in crime tips and promised anonymity and cash rewards. Crime Stoppers of

Houston was established in 1981 by a group of local business owners responding to the growing

crime rate. Our program quickly became a world leader in helping law enforcement solve and

prevent felony crime.

Our Purpose

Crime Stoppers of Houston operates 713-222-TIPS, a telephone tip line. Information about criminal

activity is received and transferred to law enforcement for immediate action. Callers are promised

anonymity and cash rewards of up to $5,000 in exchange for their accurate crime tips. Our

organization provide a safe forum for citizens to report crime in their neighborhoods without the fear

of retaliation. We are the eyes and ears of law enforcement in the community.

A close friend is a teacher at an HISD public charter school. Students there come from all walks of life, but largely from Houston’s lower socio-economic neighborhoods. The community my friend’s school serves is one all too familiar with the impact of domestic violence on children, families and our neighborhoods. On a hot Saturday afternoon this October we sat in my friend’s living room. She graded middle school writing projects while I worked on a feature story for the Crime Stoppers blog. I’ll never forget the palpable change to our sunny afternoon when her eyes welled with tears. The assignment she was grading asked students to write about the worst day in their lives. One seventh grader described a day she wished would never happen again. The one-page story continued to describe an incident of domestic violence. The student recounted how she was abused by a relative; but all the while the middle-schooler knew better than to reveal the name of her abuser. “He/She” was used instead of an identifying name. Often the victims of domestic violence, paralyzed with fear, refuse to identify or even acknowledge their abuser. Luckily for this student, schools have reporting systems and support services for cases of abuse. But all too often our neighbors continue the cycle of victimization, fearful of reporting their attackers. Crime Stoppers initiated a campaign to combat such cases this October. One in five households are believed to have been affected by domestic violence, and one in four women are believed to have once been abused. The student in my friend’s writing class will receive counseling and early intervention as a result of HISD teacher reporting policies. But countless members of our community will not receive such support, often ending in tragedy. Crime Stoppers continues to encourage Houston citizens to report all offenses and suspected instances of abuse. As a community there is a fundamental responsibility to protect our neighbors. Report instances of domestic violence, and end the cycle of abuse. Ryan S. Sullivan is a graduate of the George Washington University and the Crime Stoppers Director of Communications

REFLECTIONS ON

DOMESTIC ABUSE

RYAN S. SULLIVAN

MMAAKKEE TTHHEE CCAALLLL LAUNCHING THE 2011 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

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rime Stoppers launched the 2011 Domestic Violence Campaign amongst its supporters and partners during a morning press conference on October 3rd. The campaign launch highlighted the extent to which Domestic Violence impacts the citizens of Harris County, and the critical need for community action to prevent future cases of Domestic Abuse. As a partner in the 2011 Domestic Violence Campaign, Verizon Wireless and its charitable subsidiary HopeLine acted as ambassadors from the corporate community, dedicated to supporting programs and initiatives that combat the impact of

domestic violence. Since 2001 the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program has impacted the lives of the victims of Domestic Violence through its innovative programs, and support of affiliated campaigns. As a presenting sponsor of the Crime Stoppers Domestic Violence Campaign, Regional Vice President Kay Henze presented Crime Stoppers with a $15,000 grant and acknowledged the value of partnership between the two organizations. An ongoing operation to highlight and arrest fugitives in Harris County was the central effort in October’s campaign. “We’re here today to ask citizens to make the call that end’s the cycle of abuse,” stated Katherine Cabaniss, Executive Director of Crime Stoppers. “If you’re aware of the location of the fugitives feature throughout this campaign, make the call today to bring justice for the victims of Domestic Abuse.” Council member Ed Gonzales from the City Council of Houston spoke on the impact of Domestic Violence in the City of Houston. Joined by partners from area Domestic Violence Support Agencies, the Councilman pledged to continued support of programs and policies that bring an end to Domestic Violence. As a leading supporter of Crime Stoppers, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia concluded the remarks at the campaign’s launch. “For those offenders that continue to abuse innocent victims in acts of family violence, the Sheriff’s Office has a jail cell waiting for you.” THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN CRIME STOPPERS:

• Distributed 10 thousand educational materials to citizens on abuse prevention and crime reporting

• Launched an initiative highlighting hundreds of Domestic Violence fugitives

• Identified a weekly fugitive for arrest in the Verizon Wireless Catch a Culprit Operation

• Partnered with a KHOU 11 to host a HopeLine phone collection drive

• Highlighted Domestic Violence during weekly TV segments with KHOU 11 News

• Frequently appeared throughout print and television media commentating on Domestic Violence

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Crime Stoppers and Houston’s KHOU Channel 11 partnered throughout the campaign to fight Domestic Violence and support the Verizon HopeLine program. During the first week of October, Great Day Houston threw a spotlight on Domestic Violence awareness month. The week consisted of programming featuring domestic violence support services and experts, along with a panel featuring Crime Stoppers and its area Domestic Violence service partners. KHOU 11 news programs throughout the week advertised and promoted the Call For Help Phone Drive. A Crime Stoppers drive to benefit the Verizon Hopeline program.

CRIME STOPPERS AND KHOU 11 PARTNER TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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The Call For Help phone drive commenced in the early morning hours on the first Friday of October. Waking up with Houston and the KHOU 11 New team, volunteers from Crime Stoppers and Verizon Wireless worked tirelessly to collect used cell phones and accessories for the Verizon Hopeline program. Each of the phones and accessories were refurbished or recycled to provide the victims of domestic violence phones with pre-paid plans to make emergency calls. Houstonians that saw coverage on KHOU throughout the week and the morning of the phone drive came out in droves to donate their discarded phones in support of victims. 728 phones, and 1072 accessories were collected at Friday’s drive.

CRIME STOPPERS HOSTS DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING WITH PARTNER STUDIO MOVIE GRILL

A TELLING OF AMY’S STORY

On Wednesday, October 16, 2011 Crime Stoppers hosted a thought provoking screening of the documentary film Telling Amy’s Story. The film recounts the events leading to the domestic violence homicide of Amy Homan McGee a former Verizon Wireless employee. The dramatic recounting of Amy’s life, narrated by Law and Order’s Mariska Hargitay takes the viewer through the cycle of domestic abuse in an instance that tragically proved fatal. Attendees enjoyed the offerings and accommodations of Movie Studio Grill’s City Centre location. And joined in a round-table discussion on domestic violence and its affect on Harris County. Harris County District Attorney’s Office Director of Victim’s Rights Michelle Permenter, and HPD Sgt. Melissa Holbrook led the discussion moderated by Crime Stoppers’ Katherine Cabaniss.

BY A CRIME STOPPERS TIP

Crime Stoppers, in partnership with Verizon Wireless, embarked on a campaign to prevent Domestic Violence and apprehend the violent offenders living amongst us. Throughout the course of the Domestic Violence campaign, the Catch a Culprit Operation sought to highlight wanted fugitives throughout the Houston media, in hopes of apprehending otherwise at large criminals. “Today’s the day to make the call, and bring an offender to justice,” stated Katherine Cabaniss, Crime Stoppers’ Executive Director, while holding a photo of fugitive Artemio Sanchez, highlighting and describing the Catch a Culprit Fugitive Operation. Sanchez was arrested on October 28, 2011 by member of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force after an anonymous call was placed to Crime Stoppers. In first week of the operation, one offender was apprehended every single day! Seven days brought seven offenders to justice. Fugitive Kevin Carter was the featured felon in the daily Catch a Culprit release on Thursday October 6, 2011. Tips were received by the Crime Stoppers investigative detail, and Carter was apprehended that afternoon. On Monday, October 10, 2011, Kimberly Nicole Lee was featured as the Catch a Culprit Fugitive of the Week. Lee, who had run down her boyfriend with a car, saw herself featured in a KPRC news report Monday evening. Lee contacted Crime Stoppers and made arrangements to surrender the next morning. Lee’s surrender is the direct result of media attention to the Catch a Culprit Operation. Throughout the remainder of the campaign 19 fugitives were apprehended as a direct result of the combined efforts of Crime Stoppers and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally each of the four fugitives featured as weekly highlights in the Verizon Catch a Culprit series are now in custody as a direct result of media coverage throughout the campaign. However many more Domestic Violence fugitives remain at large in the Houston community. Through a partnership with the media, law enforcement, citizens and corporate partners like Verizon, Crime Stoppers is dedicated to continued success in its prevention and apprehension efforts.

WANTED FUGITIVES

CAPTURED DURING THE

2011 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

CCAAPPTTUURREEDD BY A CRIME STOPPERS TIP

Carter, Kevin Warrants 1320162; 1309683 Assault of Family Member Featured as a Catch a Culprit Fugitive 10-6-2011 Captured on CS TIP Arrested by HPD 10-7-2011

Stafford, Shane Warrant 1308815 Assault of Family Member Featured in HCSO 56 Most Wanted Captured on CS TIP Arrested by HCSO 10-3-2011

Montejano, Victor Warrant 1277523 Aggravated Assault Family Featured in HCSO 56 Most Wanted Captured on CS TIP Arrested by GCVOTF 10-05-2011

Young, Rashad Warrant 1307074 Assault of Family Member Featured in HCSO 56 Most Wanted Captured on CS TIP Arrested by HCSO 10-4-2011

Allen, John Warrant 1316460 Assault of Familiy Member Featured in HCSO 56 Most Wanted Captured on CS TIP Arrested by HCSO 10-10-2011

Tavera, Rosendo Warrant 1294052 Aggravated Assault Family Featured in HCSO 56 Most Wanted Captured on CS TIP Arrested by HCSO 10-5-2011

Lee, Kimberly Warrant 131992 Aggravated Assault Family Lee saw news coverage featuring herself as the Catch a Culprit Fugitive of the Week on 10-10-2011. Lee surrendered to Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies 10-11-2011

Hernandez, Alejandro Warrant 1310170; 1310171 Aggravated Assault Family Featured in HCSO 56 Most Wanted Captured on CS TIP Arrested 11-1-2011

Santiago, Lorenzo Warrant 1292360 Aggravated Assault Family Featured During Campaign Launch Press Conference Captured on a possible CS TIP Arrested 10-28-2011

Hall, Danny Warrant 1310500 Assault of a Family Member Featured in HCSO 56 Most Wanted Captured on a possible CS TIP Arrested 10-25-2011

Taylor, Kendrick Warrant 1317917 Aggravated Assault Family Featured as a Catch a Culprit Captured on a possible CS TIP Arrested 10-18-2011

Varela, Jose aka Lagos, Jose Warrant 1261368 Featured as a Catch a Culprit Captured on CS TIP Arrested 10-19-2011

FAMILIES PROTECTING

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS FROM THE 2011 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

10,000 EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED TO HOUSTON

CITIZENS. BROCHURES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH REACHED

THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS AND ADVOCATES.

CRIME STOPPERS PARTNERED WITH DOZENS OF HOUSTON AREA

VICTIMS SERVICE PROVIDERS TO EDUCATE VICTIMS ON

SERVICES, RIGHTS AND SAFETY TIPS.

CRIME STOPPERS’ WEBSITE RECEIVED 15,818 UNIQUE VISITS

THROUGHOUT OCTOBER. 4,111 WERE DIRECT VIEWS OF THE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN FUGITIVES.

COMMENTARY ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE APPEARED WEEKLY ON

KHOU CHANNEL 11 NEWS. DAILY PROMOTION OF THE

CAMPAIGN AND ITS PROGRAMS APPEARED THROUGHOUT

EVERY NEW BROADCAST.

728 CELL PHONES AND 1072 ACCESSORIES COLLECTED IN SIX

HOURS DURING THE CALL FOR HELP PHONE DRIVE.

THE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH APPEARED ON NINE BROADCAST NEWS

STATIONS, THREE PRINT NEWSPAPERS, AND DOZENS OF ONLINE

MEDIA NETWORKS.

DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF THE CAMPAIGN ONE FUGITIVE WAS

ARRESTED EVERY DAY BASED ON CRIME STOPPERS TIPS.

EVERY WEEKLY CATCH A CULPRIT FEATURED FUGITIVE IS NOW

IN CUSTODY AS A DIRECT RESULT OF CRIME STOPPERS MEDIA

COVERAGE.

19 FUGITIVES WERE ARRESTED AS A RESULT OF THE COMBINED

EFFORTS OF CRIME STOPPERS AND THE HARRIS COUNTY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE.

CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ric Badger Sanders Morris Harris Group Ross Bartley Community Bancorp LLC Chuck Beckman HEB Bob Brindley Spinnaker Financial, Inc. Kathryn Stasney Childers Sidney Evans Reliant Energy, an NRG Energy Company Ed Gonzalez Houston City Council Doug Haden II Bay-Houston Towing Company Larry Hatfield Eagle Investigation and Protection Services Bill Herrington Capital One Michael Hinton Hinton Bailey Bond LLP Manson Johnson Holman Street Baptist Church William E. King Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP Mark Kollmorgen CenterPoint Energy Toni Lawrence Craftsman Fabricated Glass, Inc. Larry Lipton Allstate Insurance

ADVISORY BOARD

Andy Allen United Protective Services Victor Alvarez Martin J. Cunningham Halliburton Bryan Erickson Clear Channel Alan Helfman River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Thomas M. Henderson Thomas M. Henderson PC Mark Hubenak Westchase District Jack Loftis Houston Chronicle (retired) Bernard McCabe, Jr. Sandair LLC Jerad McMayon Dorado Energy Mark Modos Cash America Bob Parsley Charles Steadman KPMG LLP Bill Strother Weingarten Realty Brock Thomas Anderson & Thomas, PLLC

Jeff Vaden Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP

Ron Mafrige Ron Mafrige Enterprises Pat Marshall Concord Security Integrators Oscar Martinez Wells Fargo Ricardo Nazario Morgan Stanley Smith Barney George F. Paruch Valero Energy Corporation Bruce Ross Dorado Energy Nancy Sims Pierpont Communications, Inc. Ann Travis LyondellBasell Jack Serpas Securitas Security Services, USA Doug Waters Jack in the Box Fenner Weller Weller, Anderson, Cheneviere & Co. Darrell Whitley RR Donnelly Bruce Williamson Dynegy David Wilson Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering, PC Michael D. Wilson Integrity Partners Jim P. Wise Haddington Energy Partners

Ken Wise Judge, 334th Civil District Court