Insurer Group Joins Police Department in ‘Keep Houston Safe’ Program

The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) announced it has joined the Houston Police Department in a public safety campaign aimed at preventing auto thefts and auto burglaries. The program involves the creation and distribution of signs that read, “SECURE your belongings, TAKE your keys, LOCK your car. The distribution of the signs is part of the city’s new Keep Houston Safe program.

The Keep Houston Safe program kicked off Oct. 30 with a news conference located alongside the East Freeway Corridor in east Houston

The Houston Police Department (HPD) initially plans to place the Secure, Take and Lock signs in the parking areas of businesses located along the city’s East Freeway Corridor. Captain M.D. Brown of HPD’s Northeast Division says the signs will go up in an area that has attracted a criminal element.

“Unfortunately, the East Freeway Corridor has seen criminal perpetrators from surrounding neighborhoods, other parts of Houston and adjacent areas of Harris County converge on this area,” said Capt. Brown. “These signs will alert criminals that these parking areas are under surveillance and urge motorists to use more caution.”

ICT Executive Director Rick Gentry said the crime prevention program promotes good common sense. “The signs should also serve as a reminder for everyone to be aware of their surroundings when they are leaving and entering their vehicle,” Gentry said

ICT initially started the crime prevention program in Austin on March 2, 2005. Since then, ICT has begun similar programs in Round Rock, Garland, Mesquite and Frisco.

Source: Insurance Council of Texas