2025annualreport.
FROM DATA TO INSIGHTS
In 2025, the Glenda Gordy Research Center transformed public safety data into insights that informed decisions, supported communities, and helped shape conversations across Houston and Texas.
Rania Mankarious
CEO, CRIME STOPPERS OF HOUSTON
Dearcommunity,
I'm proud to present the 2025 Glenda Gordy Research Center Annual Report, highlighting a year in which data did more than inform — it helped drive meaningful conversations and public safety initiatives across Texas.
At the Glenda Gordy Research Center, we believe that reliable information is the foundation of effective action. Housed within the Safe Community Institute at Crime Stoppers of Houston, the Research Center was established to provide accessible crime data to our community. Today, that mission extends beyond public access to information. Our work increasingly supports decision-makers at every level, helping translate complex data into meaningful insights that inform policy and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.
Throughout 2025, the Research Center continued to provide interactive dashboards, crime trend analysis, educational resources, and specialized reporting for the Greater Houston area. At the same time, we expanded our role as a trusted source of data for our public safety partners seeking objective information to guide critical decisions. By transforming millions of records into actionable insights, we helped ensure that discussions about public safety were grounded in facts and evidence.
Reliable information is the foundation of effective action.
This year also marked an important milestone in the evolution of the Research Center with the launch of a redesigned website experience. Built to improve accessibility, usability, and engagement, the new platform makes it easier for members of our community to explore crime trends and dashboards and understand the stories behind the data. By transforming complex information into more intuitive and actionable insights, the enhanced website strengthens our ability to empower the communities we serve.
To our partners, donors, community members, and public officials who rely on this work: thank you for your trust and support. Together, we are building safer communities through transparency, collaboration, and data-informed action.
Warmly,
Rania Mankarious
CEO, Crime Stoppers of Houston
Whoweare.
The mission of the Glenda Gordy Research Center is to provide Houstonians with clear, accessible crime data — and equip them with the tools and insights needed to engage meaningfully with the criminal justice system.
Our goal is to empower the community with accurate information that supports informed decisions and contributes to a safer Houston. Our research supports legislative efforts by delivering impactful crime data analysis that contributes to a transparent and evidence-backed justice system.
Six things we hold as true.
These are the principles our work rests on.
01 / FOUNDATION
Data Transparency
Ensuring open, clear, and accessible crime data for all.
02 / FOUNDATION
Evidence-Based Insights
Grounding our work in data-driven research and factual analysis.
03 / FOUNDATION
Public Safety Advocacy
Using data to inform policies and support safer communities.
04 / FOUNDATION
Ethical Responsibility
Upholding integrity in crime reporting and analysis.
05 / FOUNDATION
Actionable Intelligence
Transforming raw data into meaningful, real-world impact.
06 / FOUNDATION
Continuous Improvement
Innovating and refining our methods for better solutions.
Driving innovationwith crime data.
Behind every dashboard, report, and digital tool is a commitment to making public safety information more transparent and useful for decision-makers and the public alike.
NICKI WAHLERS
Director of Technology
By analyzing patterns, trends, and correlations, we move beyond anecdotal responses toward data-informed solutions with measurable impact. Reliable, high-quality data enables decision-makers to allocate resources effectively, detect meaningful trends, and evaluate the impact of interventions.
VOLUME
65M+
Rows of crime data processed in 2025 to power our dashboards, monthly reports, and ad-hoc community requests.
REACH
800K+
People directly reached through our website, dashboards, and reports such as the Monthly Crime Index.
The year,month by month.
From growing our team to delivering critical crime data reports that informed key cases, we remained committed to transparency and accuracy. Drag to reveal more months.
Infrastructure prep
Strengthened and refined our technical codebase and infrastructure in preparation for a year of major product launches, expanded reporting efforts, and organizational growth.
Murder on Bond report
Compiled and delivered research for the Murder on Bond report, contributing critical data that informed statewide legislative discussions.
Legislative support
Supported the passage of key legislative efforts, including SJR 5 and SB 9, through data analysis and research provided by the Glenda Gordy Research Center.
Website redesign
Launched the newly redesigned Glenda Gordy Research Center website to provide a more accessible, engaging, and user-focused experience.
Testing & accessibility
Expanded unit testing and accessibility checks to strengthen our commitment to delivering reliable and accessible public resources.
Texas bail reform
Supported historic Texas bail reform efforts as Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 9, SB 40, HB 75, and SJR 5 into law, informed by Research Center data and analysis.
Houston Crime Map
Launched the Houston Crime Map, providing geolocated crime incident information through an interactive public tool.
At-a-Glance page
Released the At-a-Glance page, delivering quick-access monthly statistics and key crime indicators for the community.
1 million people reached
Reached a major milestone of more than 1 million people since the inception of the Research Center through accessible crime data and public resources.
Crime Stoppers support
Provided targeted data analysis and reporting support for five major Crime Stoppers initiatives, helping inform strategic organizational efforts.
Infrastructure expansion
Enhanced technical infrastructure and system configurations to support the expansion of future digital products and services.
Long-term sustainability
Invested in long-term security, scalability, and sustainability improvements to strengthen the foundation of the Research Center's technology ecosystem.
The numbers,by category.
Sourced from the Harris County District Clerk (HCDC) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS).
423
Cases filed
417
Offense occurrences
70.2%
Offenders known to victim
337
Homicides involving firearms
69
Capital murders
31.4
Avg age of defendant
-28.9%
Change in capital murder vs prior year
70
Murder of a minor offenses
55
Manslaughter cases filed
HOMICIDE · HCDC · 2025
Monthly case filings
Data was reported by Harris County District Clerk.
Real partners.Real outcomes.
Crime Stoppers has been invaluable in providing our office with essential data regarding teen violent crimes in Houston and Harris County. The data has opened the eyes of the entire general public.
THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIE DAVIS
Houston City Council, At-Large Position 2
Where the databecomes impact.
In 2025, GGRC research helped shape decisions in city council offices, classrooms, newsrooms, and community organizations across Houston. These are a few of the partners turning our data into change on the ground.
Texas Legislature
Supporting statewide policy conversations
GGRC partnered with legislative offices to analyze crime trends and justice system outcomes, including a comprehensive review of homicide cases involving offenders released on bond. These findings helped provide critical context for lawmakers evaluating public safety legislation and constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening accountability and improving community safety across Texas. Through timely research and transparent reporting, the Research Center helped bring data-driven evidence into statewide policy discussions.
Senator Joan Huffman's office
Houston City Council
GGRC partnered with Council Member Willie Davis to provide recurring analysis of violent crime trends, firearm-related offenses, and juvenile justice data. By translating complex datasets into accessible reports and visualizations, the Research Center helped support evidence-based discussions about public safety challenges facing Houston communities.
PARTNER
Council Member Willie Davis
Bringing data to statewide public safety solutions
GGRC contributed research and crime data to Governor Greg Abbott's crime task force, supporting efforts to better understand patterns of violent reoffending across Texas. By providing clear, data-driven analysis, the Research Center helped equip policymakers and public safety leaders with the information needed to evaluate solutions aimed at reducing violent crime and strengthening community safety.
PARTNER
Governor Abbott
Answering a resident’s call for clarity
The Glenda Gordy Research Center supports Texans at every level, from informing statewide public safety initiatives to responding to the concerns of individual community members. When a community resident requested information about crime occurring at gambling facilities in her community, GGRC conducted a detailed analysis of more than 163,000 incidents reported at gambling facilities, casinos, and racetracks in Harris County. Using FBI NIBRS data, the Research Center examined patterns in both violent and non-violent offenses to provide meaningful context for community discussions. By delivering clear, accessible analysis tailored to local concerns, GGRC empowers residents with the information needed to better understand public safety issues and advocate for informed solutions in their neighborhoods.
Click here to read the full reportCOMMUNITY MEMBER
Harris County Resident
From Houston city council to the state legislature, our data keeps showing up where decisions get made.
2026goals.
In 2026, the Glenda Gordy Research Center will continue making crime data accessible, transparent, and actionable for Houston.
01 — Reach
Increase Community Reach
Expand our impact by reaching 800,000 people through website traffic and published reports.
02 — Visibility
Deliver new digital products
Launch at least three new public-facing tools or resources that improve access to public safety information and community services.
03 — Resources
Expand Data Infrastructure
Extend our existing Data Listener pipeline and centralized data architecture to support additional Crime Stoppers programs, creating a shared foundation for reporting and analytics.
04 — Maintenance
Strengthen Platform
Increase test coverage to 60%, improve documentation and coding standards, and complete regular security, compliance, and code reviews.
05 — Sources
Implement New Data Sources
Incorporate insights from additional law enforcement agencies and University reporting agencies for expanded reporting.
06 — Access
Optimize Digital Experiences
Improve website performance and user experience through asset optimization and enhancement of our core digital platforms.
Made possibleby you.
[Placeholder] None of this work happens in a vacuum. To every individual, family, and organization who has invested in the Glenda Gordy Research Center since 2021 — thank you for believing in evidence-based public safety.
Research Champion
Phillips 66
Powering GGRC's research backbone since inception
Research Trailblazer
Research Activist
Research Ally
Project Supporters
IN-KIND & PROGRAM SUPPORTBecome a Crime Stoppers donor →
SUPPORTWhere themoney goes.
FY2025 TOTAL
$365,119
Total program expenses for the Glenda Gordy Research Center in 2025.
Bar chart percentages reflect each line item as a share of total program expenses ($365,119.37). Direct program expenses: $332,717.86. Indirect program expenses: $32,401.51.
The humansbehind the numbers.
The Glenda Gordy Research Center is staffed by a dedicated team of researchers, engineers, and analysts working full-time to make Houston's crime data more transparent.
SUPPORT STAFF · CRIME STOPPERS OF HOUSTON
And the wider team that supports our work.
Nichole Christoph
Chief Operating Officer
Kathy Elbert
Controller
Jenna Fondren
Chief Program Officer
Crime Stoppers is a team effort, and our success reflects the dedication and collaboration of staff across the entire organization.