Greetings and welcome to the March edition of the Texas Crime Stoppers newsletter!

Spotlight: Texas 10 Most Wanted Program is celebrating 30 years since it’s inception

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that 2022 was the highest number of Most Wanted Offenders captured in a single year since the program’s inception in 1993. DPS in cooperation with federal, local, and Mexican authorities captured a record 72 fugitives and sex offenders; more than doubling the previous record set. In addition to the 72 captures, $88,000 in reward money was paid in anonymous tips that resulted in arrests. The 72 people captured include 34 convicted sex offenders and 24 gang members – the most in program history. The program also set several other new records with the most warrants cleared (220) and the most out-of-state captures (14). This included arrests in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Mexico.

The Texas Crime Stoppers Office recently recognized Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division Analysts Hannah Robinson and Adam Unnasch, both assigned to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program, for their role in making the program a huge success. Each was presented with a letter of recognition from Governor Greg Abbott. Working collaboratively with DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division, Robinson and Unnasch provide critical information and analysis to help law enforcement partners around the state and nation capture the fugitives on the Top 10 Most Wanted Lists. These analysts work tirelessly to help law enforcement protect and serve their communities by getting wanted criminals off the streets.

DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders lists who pose the most significant threat to public safety in the state. You can find the current lists on the DPS website. Texas Crime Stoppers offers rewards to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of a Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders. Crime Stoppers programs enable citizens to anonymously report information about crimes for cash rewards, helping put criminals behind bars and assist in crime reduction efforts.

“Public safety is a top priority in the State of Texas, and I am proud of the brave DPS troopers and law enforcement partners who have contributed to this record breaking achievement. Through the Texas 10 Most Wanted Program, our brave men and women of law enforcement have taken some of the most dangerous criminals off the streets and made our communities safer for all Texans. Texas will always be a law-and-order state, and together we are keeping it that way.”   

          - Greg Abbott, Texas Governor

“The success of this program is largely due to the public speaking up and reporting the whereabouts of these criminals to law enforcement. It truly takes the public working with law enforcement to make our communities, and all of us, safer. We want to thank all our law enforcement partners, who helped successfully bring these criminals to justice."         

          - Steven McCraw, Department of Public Safety Director

Annual Reports  

It’s that time of the year again to submit your programs annual reports. To access your reports, select the hyperlinks listed below using the previously created username and password sent to your organization. Reporting due dates has been extended to March 15, 2023.   

• 2022 Probation Fee Repayment Report (PFRR)
• PFRR Overview and Checklist 
• 2022 2nd Period Statistical Report, June 1 - Dec 31
• 2023 Annual Crime Stoppers Program Report  

Please share this information with your board, executive directors, and law enforcement coordinators to give them ample time to gather the data to complete the reports in a timely manner. For questions, contact Maggie Torres at (512) 463-8306 or [email protected].

Training Opportunities

Texas Crime Stoppers Basic Course Training 
Galveston, Texas
April 3-4, 2023

Registration Now Open!

Texas Crime Stoppers Basic Course Training 
Kerrville, Texas
June 5-6, 2023

Texas Crime Stoppers Basic Course Training 
Copperas Cove, Texas
August 7-8, 2023

34th Annual Texas Crime Stoppers Conference
McAllen Convention Center- McAllen, Texas
October 3-5, 2023

Texas Crime Stoppers Events 

Texas Crime Stoppers Student Ambassadors

The Texas Crime Stoppers Ambassador Program is a student based leadership program for Texas youth involved in their local Crime Stoppers community across the state.

Each ambassador is assigned a month to submit an article to be featured on the Texas Crime Stoppers newsletter. The topics may include, campus program success stories, an interview with their Student Resource Officer or a board member, community engagement, editorials on leadership, mentoring, or student motivation.

Check out what our Ambassadors have to say!

Happy Anniversary!

Atascosa County Crime Stoppers, 38 years 

Baytown Crime Stoppers, 42 years

Brazoria County Crime Stoppers, 31 years 

Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers, Inc., 39 years

Henderson County Crime Stoppers, Inc., 28 years 

Kaufman County Crime Stoppers, 13 years 

La Marque Crime Stoppers, 41 years 

Limestone County Crime Stoppers, 41 years 

Moore County Crime Stoppers, 32 years 

Rusk County Crime Stoppers, 24 years 

Tri-County Crime Stoppers, 39 years

Trinity County Crime Stoppers, 31 years 

Tyler Crime Stoppers, 42 years 

Congratulations on all your years of service! Thank you for your continued investment in your community which has paved the way for a safer, stronger future for our state.