As part of a public service effort to help the Greater Dallas Crime Commission (GDCC) provide a range of services via the Internet, The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, will fund and assist in the design, support and hosting of the organization’s new interactive Web site.
The site, which initially will be housed at www.utdallas.edu/gdcc, will provide the Dallas-Fort Worth area with information about fraud, auto theft, cyber crime and domestic and family violence. The site also will supply information about Kids-n-Cops, the Youth Crime Commission and Crime Stoppers – a program that since 1980 has given more than $1 million in rewards for crime tips. In addition, the site will include federal, state and local crime prevention resources.
Verizon, which provided a $20,000 grant toward the purchase of a server and equipment for the new site, “is committed to supporting the communities we serve,” said David Russell, vice president – external affairs for Verizon’s Southwest Region. “This endeavor is an effective use of technology to improve the safety of this region while aiding the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.”
UTD designed and will support the GDCC Web site by providing technical assistance, training, site updates and site uploads. The university’s in-kind contribution has an estimated value of more than $10,000.
“The Greater Dallas Crime Commission has a distinguished history of serving the Metroplex,” said UTD Associate Provost Larry Terry. “We are pleased to provide our Web-development expertise to the GDCC, and it is our hope that the new technology will allow the commission to continue delivering invaluable crime deterrence tips to the Dallas area, as it has for the past 50 years.”
The Web site was developed in response to requests from Dallas and surrounding communities for additional information about crime prevention. Eventually, the Web site will be operated directly by the commission, without the assistance of UTD technical support.
“This Web site will allow us to deliver key elements of our function to an even larger audience,” said GDCC Executive Director Millie DeAnda. “We believe the site also will allow us to expand our collaborations with the community, increase crime reporting and give citizens the tools they need to better empower themselves and prevent crime.”
About GDCC
The Greater Dallas Crime Commission is a nonprofit organization that provides support to law enforcement for advanced training and equipment. The GDCC educates citizens to work together for safer communities by providing crime control programs and bringing important criminal justice issues to the forefront of the state’s legislative agenda. The GDCC accomplishes its mission through various committees made up of volunteers from law enforcement, corporations and citizens. Committees include: Anti-Fraud, Auto Theft, Crime Stoppers, Campus Crime Stoppers, Youth Crime Council, Law Enforcement Liaison and Legislative Affairs.
About Verizon Foundation
Verizon Foundation supports a variety of programs that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, bridging the digital divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a skilled work force. The foundation promotes partnerships in technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities and the economically and socially disadvantaged across the United States and selected foreign countries.