Safe Haven
March 23, 2016 by Web Editor
Filed under Blogs, Community
Crime Stoppers of Houston breaks ground for Houston’s First Public Safety and Crime Prevention Block, honoring Dave Ward in the process.
by Laurette M. Veres
Houston media icon Dave Ward of ABC13 is the only news anchor to stay almost 50 years in one anchor chair, on one station, in one city, in one state, ever.
Ward efficiently delivers the nightly news and uses his celebrity status and creative ingenuity to benefit local charities and agencies. It was Ward’s idea to film crime reenactments and air the spots on the news for Crime Stoppers. The results were tremendous, and Crime Stoppers now uses the reenactments nationwide.
Ward was recently honored at the Building the Block Crime Stoppers of Houston Gala. The annual benefit raised more than $510,000 for Crime Stopper’s Tip Line and crime-prevention programs. Chairs Joella and Steve Mach, along with auction chairs Courtney Zubowski Haas and Dr. Eric Haas, led the event. VIP guests were able to mingle with best-selling author, Emmy Award–winning journalist and featured speaker Ted Koppel.
Laura and David Ward with former dateline anchor Ted Koppel
The smooth-talking Ward was rendered speechless when it was announced that the new Crime Stoppers building would be named The Dave Ward Building, Crime Stoppers of Houston. The next morning, dignitaries gathered at the 3000 Block on Main Street, donned hard hats and shovels, and broke ground for the new facility.
The new home of Crime Stoppers of Houston will be a state-of-the-art facility serving as a hub for crime prevention. Centralized operations, staff, volunteers, law enforcement, safe school, safe community and media teams will be housed in the 28,000-square-foot structure. Outside the facility, a 12,800-square-foot Harris County Sheriff’s Officers Memorial Garden will pay tribute to heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Crime Stoppers of Houston is Houston’s only nonprofit dedicated to public safety and has remained committed to its mission since 1981. They solve and prevent serious crimes in the Greater Houston Area with the help of citizens, media and the criminal justice system. Through close collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and the citizens of Houston, Crime Stoppers of Houston has successfully solved nearly 33,000 felony cases and arrested more than 25,000 felony fugitives through its 713-222-TIPS Tip Line Program. To make a donation, visit www.crime-stoppers.org.
