___ Letter from Daniel McCool, TGCCPA 2009 Crime Prevention Summit Chairperson ___

Thank you for your interest in the Texas Gulf Coast Crime Prevention Association (TGCCPA).  TGCCPA is an organization of Law Enforcement Officers, Crime Prevention Specialists, Public Safety Educators and Private Citizens dedicated to the ideas and promotion of Crime Prevention Awareness throughout eighteen counties of the southeast and coastal regions of Texas.  We are the local affiliate of the Texas Crime Prevention Association (TCPA).

Our goal and objectives are to encourage the prevention of crime through coordinated and concentrated efforts; programs and functions that encourage Citizen Involvement and participation and preserve the safe environment and communities for the Citizens of Texas.  I hope that you will find our organization helpful in your goals in crime prevention education.

Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  The location and topics will be announced via email to participants and members.  Each month a different agency hosts the membership meeting.  Meetings are held at a place of their choice.  This ensures all areas of our region are able to participate without overburdening one agency.  The meeting location and training information will also be available on our website, www.TGCCPA.org.

We've also established a "Train the Trainer" program for our members.  Each quarter three topics are selected that our members can present to the public the following quarter.  Members participate in developing and standardizing the information we present throughout the eighteen counties of TGCCPA.  This ensures all the agencies relay current information to the public and allows the member’s agencies to structure their own "talking points" related to specific needs of a particular community.  Officers can accrue up to 32 hours of TCLEOSE training a year in addition to the 24 hours they receive by participating in the regular monthly meetings.

The TGCCPA sponsors a Fall Conference each year.  This year it's our pleasure to announce the 2009 Crime Prevention Summit will be hosting the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies' 40 hour Basic Crime Prevention I Course.  This is currently the only course recognized by TCLEOSE and TCPA as the Basic Crime Prevention Course (TCLEOSE 2101).  This is the first of three courses required to become a “Certified Crime Prevention Specialist”.  A fee is charged for this course and is paid directly to ICJS through Texas State University.

This year, during the TGCCPA 2009 Crime Prevention Summit, we are also hosting 22 FREE daily courses/seminars open to both law enforcement officers and citizens.  The seminar topics range from Gang Awareness, Terrorism Indicators, Crime Stoppers, Neighborhood Watch, Pandemic Preparation for Businesses, Developing a Business Watch Program and so on.  I am attaching a link to the 2009 Speaker's Schedule for your review.  The 2009 Crime Prevention Summit is the week of September 21 - 25, 2009 at 1730 Jefferson (at corner of Chenevert) in Houston (Key Map 493V).

Our members are also able to attend the Texas Crime Prevention Association 40 hour Summer Conference and the 24-hour Mid-Winter conference each year.  These conferences are held at various locations throughout the state and there is a minimal fee charged by the hosting region.

Annual TGCCPA membership dues are $30 a year per member.  Fifteen dollars is paid for membership to the Texas Crime Prevention Association, and the remaining fifteen dollars is maintained by the Texas Gulf Coast Crime Prevention Association.

Again, I want to thank you for your interest in the Texas Gulf Coast Crime Prevention Association and in preventing crime.

Sincerely,

-Daniel McCool, ccps

TGCCPA 2009 Crime Prevention Summit Chairperson

(832) 876-8285