HOUSTON – Crime Stoppers of Houston and HopeLine from Verizon announced Thursday a joint domestic violence awareness initiative, "Safe Community" to help educate the public on domestic violence and to encourage Houstonians to take action to end abuse.
Crime Stoppers received a $15,000 grant from Verizon for the program and to help with catching domestic violence fugitives.
Crime Stoppers also announced Thursday the top ten most wanted domestic violence fugitives in Harris County.
Top 10 most wanted domestic violence fugitives
A free, public Safe Community Seminar was held in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
"Crime Stoppers of Houston and Verizon are kicking off a month long campaign to educate the community on the realities of domestic violence while simultaneously providing law enforcement with critical information necessary to apprehend wanted family violence offenders. We understand that domestic violence impacts our community in a staggering way. We also recognize that victims are actually survivors who need to be protected and supported. As Crime Stoppers and Verizon take a stand, we ask you to join us." said Crime Stoppers of Houston Executive Director Rania Mankarious.
“At Verizon, we recognize the critical need to provide solutions to communities impacted by domestic abuse and that’s why HopeLine has been a passion of ours for more than 15 years” said Krista Bourne, president of the south central market at Verizon. “Our partnership with Crime Stoppers of Houston over the last six years highlights the role education plays in ending domestic violence in Houston and we’re proud to be a part of those efforts."
Verizon launched the HopeLine program in 2001. The program collects donated no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any service provider to benefit victims and survivors of domestic violence. Devices and accessories given to HopeLine are turned into financial support for domestic violence awareness and prevention initiatives.
In 2015, Verizon collected 700,000 phones through HopeLine and gave more than $7 million in cash grants to domestic violence organizations nationwide.
Crime Stoppers Deputy Director Nichole Christoph, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson, Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman, Houston City Council Member Brenda Stardig and Houston Police Department Acting Police Chief Martha Montalvo were all in attendance Thursday.