November 26, 2024 • 43 mins
- On today's show Matt and Haley Morrow with the Beaumont Police Department talk about safety during the holidays. And Sadie Atha with the Beaumont CVB updates all the upcoming holiday events planned in the city.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Well, hello Southeast Texas. I'm so glad that you've joined
us today. We have an exciting show. We have so
much to be thankful here in Southeast Texas, and we're
going to talk a little bit about some of the
things going on here in Southeast Texas with Sadie Atha,
the Beaumont CVB Marketing Director. We're also going to be
talking about while you are out and about shopping and
(00:22):
enjoying those parties. What are some ways that we can
keep you safe during the holiday season. Matt and Hailey
Morrow with the Beaumont Police Department, We'll be sharing some
tips for you on how to do that. But before
we get started, I'd like for them to introduce themselves
and share what are they thankful for this holiday season.
So we'll start with you, Sadie. Talk to us a
(00:44):
little bit about who you are, how long you've been
in Southeast Texas, and what are you thankful for this season.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Thanks Dana uh So, I'm Sadie. I grew up here
in Southeast Texas actually, and Winnie, my dad grew up there,
and my grandparents are actually here from the area, and
so I'm excited to kind of be back. I moved away,
I went to college, and now I'm back. When the
position opened up with the CVB to sell Beaumont and
(01:10):
sell the travel and tourism industry, I had to jump
on it because I love storytelling, I love art. I
love being able to share things that I love with people,
and so I'm glad to be back in doing that.
And I'm really thankful for my family this holiday season.
I have a little zoo at my house. I've got chickens,
I've got dogs, cats, and a two year old who
(01:32):
thinks she's a dog and a cat sometimes. So I'm
just thankful for all of them.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Oh that's awesome. Well, I love that you were raised here,
went away for college, and then came back here. I
love those stories of people who choose to come back
to Southeast Texas. And I love what you're doing in
working for the CVB, which is the Convention in Vistress Bureau,
because you get to see all the amazing things that
(01:57):
we have going on here in Southeast Texas. But I
think we often take for granted or we don't even
think about because we think about, oh, what can I
go do somewhere else, but right here in our own city.
We have amazing things coming up that will allow people
to celebrate the holiday season and enjoy their family, and
most of it's free.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Oh I think everything I have for you is almost free.
So that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
So we'll get to that in our next segment. So
you guys stay tuned so you can hear about some
of those things that are coming up. Also with this
is Hailey Moro with the Beaumont Police Department. Hailey, everyone
in south East Texas knows you. They get to see
you give us some great advice and tips, but taught
to us a little bit about who you are and
how long you've been here. Sure.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
So I've lived in Southeast Texas my entire life, with
a very brief stent in California. But I have been
with the Baumant Police Department a miss eleven years and
the last eight i've been in the police Community Relations Unit.
So that's what affords me the opportunity to have my
face out there for some need to know my name,
but most importantly that I represent the Beaumont Police Department
(03:04):
and the true heroes, which are the officers who are
out responding to calls every day and keeping our community safe.
Of course, get to do this job with my amazing husband, Matt,
which he'll introduce himself in a second. I would say
that I'm thankful for always family, but most importantly recently,
our daughter was involved in a little scary accident where
her car was flooded out and it was a pretty
dangerous situation. So I'm very grateful that she's okay. And
(03:27):
I can't just stop there, so I'm grateful for the
opportunity to have a job where I love doing. You know,
I love coming to work every single day and giving
a platform to law enforcement and spreading the good of
what we do every single day here.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Yeah, it is a gift and we love being able
to see and the way that you present all of
the amazing things that the Laumont Police Department is doing.
And you're right, they are the heroes that every day
they go out there and put their life on the
line for each one of us. So what an amazing
sacrifice they make for each of us. And it's been
(04:00):
right there next to you is one of those guys.
So Matt Morrow, so glad to have you with us.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Good morning, Thanks again for having Stan and we always
we love doing new show. So I am Matt Morrow.
I'm better known as Hailey Marris's Husband's generally how I'm
referred to if they don't know they're my name. I've
been a cop for thirty seven years. I've been in
Southeast Texas and on the bow my police tourtment for
twenty four. Prior to that, I was working in Washington,
(04:24):
d C. And so what I'm thankful for, of course,
is my love of the wife, Haley, and we have
five great kids.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Family. It means so much, and I think at this
time of year it's when we really focus on that.
And for me, it's the same thing. I have four
amazing grown children, two of my own and two that
are my in loves I call them, and then three
absolutely cutest, most adorable grandchildren you'll ever see. So I
(04:55):
love that in the holiday season we do get to
focus on what were are thankful for and spending time
with them. So when we come back, we're going to
find some ways that you can spend some time with
those family members, because we're going to talk to Sadie
and she is going to share with us some of
the events coming up that you're not going to want
to miss. So don't go away this is the Dana
Simmons Show. Welcome Back. This is Dana Simmons and I
(05:25):
am joined today by Sadie Athus. She is the Beaumont
CVB Marketing Director and Sadie. During this holiday season, there
are so many events coming up that people can participate
in and the majority of them are free. So talk
about some of the things that are going on here
in Southeast Texas that people can jump in on and enjoy.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Right, So thanks again Dana for having me. So one
of the biggest things that the CVB is doing itself
is we're partnering with Exon Mobile and we're sponsoring a
twelve days of December. For the first twelve days of December,
a toy drive, So going to a couple of attractions
that are around the city, likes Mindletop Boomtown Museum bring
(06:07):
a new unwrapped toy and they're going to give away
vouchers for up to four guests throughout the month of
December that you can come back and use and bring
your family.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
And then.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
The city is having a Christmas tree lighting and that
is free. And that's whenever you get to see snow
in Beaumont. You can't really say that a lot. They're
going to have a drone show there too.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
It's so funny that you said that. I just noticed
on Facebook one of my friends that I sold them
a house. They have a little boy who is I
think he's like four or five, and he had said
something to his mom about mom, when is it going
to snow for Christmas? And she said, well, we live
in Southeast Texas. It really doesn't snow for Christmas, and
(06:54):
he said, it can't be Christmas without snow. I just
saw that whole little you know in little One are
so cute. So I am going to message her and say,
it is going to snow in Southeast Texas, and so
give us the date for that tree lighting where we
can actually go see that snow.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
That's going to be December fourth, from five to seven
thirty pm downtown at the event Center. And there's going
to be a drone show as soon as they light
the Christmas tree with the mayor. So that's going to
be really cool. I love drone shows, So.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Talk a little bit about for those who don't know
what a drone show is, talk a little bit about
what that looks like.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Oh, it's a little unreal honestly, like they it's almost
like it should be fireworks, but they just move in
the sky and it and it to me, it kind
of reminds me of Toy Story in a way, like
all these little cameras almost that are in the sky
and they rotate and they move and they make images
and it's just almost it's like three D but it's not.
(07:50):
At the same time, it's such a surreal experience honestly.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
So it's like a light show in the sky. Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
See I'm one of those who I've never seen a
drone show, so I love that information. So what else? Now,
you were talking about that toy drive and you said
it is for twelve days, and you mentioned that it's
three places. What are the three places that people can
go to drop off a toy and then get a voucher.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Oh, so that one suspendle top has the voucher and
you can there's twelve locations throughout the entire twelve days
that you can go to and you can find the
full list at BEAUMONTCVB dot com slash twelve days okay,
and that'll have all the twelve locations. The Fire Museum
is going to be giving out ornaments whenever you bring
a toy donation and they're really cute, but those are
(08:36):
all supplies last. And then we're going to be at
Main Street Market the CVB and we're going to be
giving out twenty five percent off discount cards to Gobo
Gifts with toy donations as well.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
That's awesome. So tell me where are these toys going
to go and who is going to benefit from receiving them.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
So we're focusing on giving them to several local charities.
We're still confirming the details on that, but hopefully to
give back to children in needs. So we're hoping to
be able to fill up our van with infant, toddler, elementary,
and junior, high and high school aged toys to be
able to give back to families in the community.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
That's such a great thing to do at this time
of year. We all have so much so anywhere that
you can give back and this is a great way
to do it and potentially get a voucher or a
cute little ornament. So okay, so we've got the holiday
toy drive. Then you were talking about the Christmas tree
lighting coming up. What else do we have coming So.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
The Art Museum of Southeast Texas is also having a
holiday tree lighting and that one you can take pictures
with Santa, decorate cookies, ornaments, do crafts. There'll be live
music and there's lots of the other attractions in the
area will be there. And that's the next day, December fifth,
from for to six point thirty and then Classic Movie
(09:57):
Nights at the Jefferson Theater. That's another place. You can
also bring toy to the Polar Express, I know, and
later in December that they're going to be doing Frozen.
My daughter is obsessed with Frozen right now. Everything is
Anna or Elsa, oh yeah, and so she's really excited
about going to see that. I know, the Symphony of
Southeast Texas does their holiday show at the Julie Rogers.
(10:18):
There's just so many things. I can't even keep up
with that for ething.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
I know, I just saw a White Christmas, which is
one of my favorites. Will also be at the Jefferson Theater.
Super excited about that. I think I'll be going to
that one. Now you've talked about so many events and
times and places. I'm sure people could write all of
that down. So where can someone go and get all
of that information if they want to be able to
find where these are happening.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
So we list all of the events submitted to us
that are hosted by the city and other attractions at
visit Beaumont, TX dot com. Go to the things to
do in events page and we try and list everything
that we can because we don't want anybody to think
there's nothing to do. There's always something to do. Like
you said, most of it is free or very affordable,
and that's what's great, especially with this time of year, and.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
I think that people just don't realize they just don't
know about all the amazing things. Now, you guys also
have a Facebook page as.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Well, right, yes, so be sure to follow us on
Facebook because we also every first of the month we
post a monthly roundup of all the things that are
happening and they're a pretty big hit. We get like
almost two hundred shares on our October month, which is
the busiest month, but we get a lot of interactions
with those.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
So what is the Facebook page that they can follow.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Visit Beaumont, Texas.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Visit Beaumont, Texas. And so what I love about that
is when you post that, I can print that and
then make my plans for the month on things that
I can do with the kids or the grandkids, And
so it gives you an opportunity not to just find
it out about it that day or a week ahead,
but you've got the entire month where you can plan
your activities and the local things that are here that
(11:56):
are free. And so I love that you guys do that,
So thank.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
You of course, and we all do that. Make sure
they're themed too, so they can match any calendar that
you have.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Yeah, it makes for a wonderful look as well. You
can print it and stick it on your fridge and
it looks great. Right now. One of the things that
you guys have recently done is you've updated your website
and that is amazing, So talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yes, so visit velmontix dot com just got a facelift.
We have kind of decided to just align ourselves with
some of our competitors because we want to be a
destination that people can trust, and I think the website
really reflects that. The biggest thing that we've done besides
giving it a refresh, is we have maps, illustrative maps
(12:40):
on there that are kind of categorized by neighborhoods, So
if you're in a specific area, you can click on
that neighborhood and you can look and see, oh, what
can I do in this neighborhood specifically, where do I
have to go that's not I don't have to drive
very far? And what's there to do to eat, to
see like? And where to stay as well, because that's
(13:00):
the most important place too for our visitors. It's like,
where can I stay it's affordable or close by, and
so it's all categorized in that way. And then we
also have a micro site for Tarrell Park and Tarol
Park Nature Center, and so Tarrell Park is just full
of cool things. The botanical gardens, cattail marsh, Tailor Park,
(13:20):
nature Center, the stables, the archery range, disc golf, there's
the list goes on really and there's a website that
talks about each and everything to do inside Taryll Park.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
You know, I love that you mentioned all of those things.
Whenever I have people come in from out of town,
I always have a package ready for them that has
the information from the CVB that has all the things
there are to do here and around the area. And
I'm always shocked whenever I've taken some of my out
of town customers to launch with people that they'll be
(13:52):
working with, and we're looking through that book and the
local people are shocked. They're like, this is amazing. I
need one of those. I had the mom and sister
of one of our customers. They live here and she's
relocating back, so I brought her one of those and
they were both like, we need that. So if people
here locally aren't aware of everything that is here, they
(14:13):
can stop by the CVB and pick those up.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Right, Yes, those are our Regional Visitors Guide, but you're right,
they should be regional residence Guides too, And they're just
a really big resource for all the things to do.
They list our annual events that we have, and they
have all the attractions. We try to get as much
of the restaurants that are open at the time that
we're making the guide and stuff. So we just want
(14:38):
to make everything available to everyone.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Yeah, one of my customers took it home to their
kids and the kids were looking through it and highlighting
all the things when they relocate here that they want
to do. So I think that resource is an amazing
resource for your right our visitors, people who are coming
here just to spend time, but also people who are
relocating here to live for a long time. It gives
us an operportunity to say, look at what we have here,
(15:03):
and so thank you for I'm so thankful that you
guys provide that resource for us.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
No problem.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
So we're going to come back and we're going to
be visiting with Matt and Haley Morrow, and we're going
to talk about safety during this holiday's time. So don't
go away. This is Dana Simmons with the Dana Simmons Show.
(15:29):
Welcome back. This is Dana Simmons and I have been
joined in the last segment by Sadie Atha and she
is the marketing director at the Beaumont CVB. And if
you are looking for things to do in our area
over the holidays, go to the CVB website or their
Facebook page and you can get a list of all
(15:49):
the amazing things that we have going on here that
are even free. So check that out. And in the
holiday season, while you're out and about doing all of
those things, we want to make sure that you are
are keeping yourself safe. So we have Matt and Haley
Morrow here. They're going to talk a little bit about
what are the things that you can do to make
this holiday a wonderful one and also a safe one.
(16:12):
So welcome guys, So glad.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
You were here.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Thanks Travis back again.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Yeah, so tell me a little bit about what are
the first things we need to make sure we're doing.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Yeah, well, you know, obviously all of the things that
we talk about today you can apply to your life
at any time, but we know when the holidays come around,
people kind of take that extra precaution of what can
I do to stay safe? And so the first thing
that I always tell people when we're talking about safety
is being aware of your surroundings, making sure that you're
paying attention to what's going on. You know, a lot
of times criminals are looking for an opportunity, and so
(16:46):
when our citizens are knowledgeable and know how to carry
themselves where they look like they're paying attention, they have
their head on a swivel, that can kind of deter
crime a little bit. So paying attention to your surroundings.
Parking in well lit areas wintertime, so of course it's
getting dark, it seems like at four pm every day,
and so parking well lit areas, pay attention, try not
(17:08):
to be distracted with your cell phone, and if you
are out shopping, like if you're taking a day and
you're going to hit a lot of places, I recommend
bringing like a blanket where you can cover things that
are in your vehicle. Auto burglary is something that most
people are concerned about, so if you can try to
hide any valuable packages, if you have the ability to
(17:30):
make trips home and drop things off, then of course
we recommend that as well.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
Yeah, and on that though, you really need to be
careful because there are so many people special for that.
The mall where there are a number of retail stores
in one location, well, they can only comfortably carry around
three or four bags. So hey, I tell you what
I'm gonna do. I'm going to go out and run
these out, put them in the car so I can
come back in and keep shopping. Where there are people
out in the parking lots watching for that as soon
as you walk away, they'll hit your car. At least
(17:56):
his auto burglars are huge, and I really want to
emphasize these cell phone aspect of safety. It's really hard
not to get wrapped up in your phone, especially if
you're watching a TikTok video. Or you're trying to text
your son, daughter, husband and wife, Hey I'm going to
the grocery or whatever. But stay aware of what's going
on around you. I'm not saying you have to, you know,
(18:17):
totally phase out everything, but be smart about it. You know,
and especially if you're in a parking at the mall,
not only do you have to worry about the criminals,
you have to worry about other people driving. Stepping out
in front of them could be hazardous to your health.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Yeah, and I do want to say that the Beaumont
Police Department Special Assignment Unit every year at the holidays
from Thanksgiving through Christmas, they are assigned as special detail
where they are in the down Road retail area, So
they will you'll see an increased presence there because we
all know Dollnroad gets very, very busy during the holiday
(18:49):
shopping season, so we saturate that area with additional officers
to give that visibility, give that you know, felt safety,
but then also to be able to respond to things quicker.
So know that we will be out in a heavier
presence around the mall, in the Downroad retail area.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
So what I hear is be alert, be alert. Really
just be vigilant and be alert to what surround you.
Put that phone away till you get back in the car.
I get it. I mean my husband will say, text
me when you're leaving, and so instead of texting in
the parking lot, as I say, I'm leaving, get in
the car, then shut and lock your door, and then
text your yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
And you know it's we don't want to come across
like people should be afraid to walk out of their
house or go to the mall or anything. We're just same.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Be aware.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
Absolutely more times than not, people are victimized because they
look like a victim right head down in the cell phone,
they're carrying sixty eight different bags, You're not paying attention
to anything around them, and a criminal will say, hey,
look that's easy right there, and that's everywhere.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
It's not exactly what you're talking about. Everywhere, whether you're
shopping here or you're shopping in Houston, wherever you're shopping,
hopefully you're shopping here, but this is something that you
want to make sure you're aware of. Now, we've talked
about shopping in our our area, but let's talk about
online shopping. What are some ways that we can make
sure that we're safe doing that. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Absolutely, I mean it's so convenient. You know, Amazon, those
online deals are so great, especially for people who are
super busy who don't like to go out in public,
that's an option as well. So of course we want
to make sure you know we've actually Matt and I
have both been a victim of purchasing something on a
scam website that hit our debit card. You know, it
is easy scrolling on TikTok or scrolling on Facebook and
(20:27):
seeing those sponsored ad pop up that look too good
to be true where you click on it and then
eventually you learned that that wasn't a legit site and
it compromises your debit card. So, especially when you're increasing
shopping around the holiday times, increasing that online shopping, pay attention.
Make sure you're using good, legitimate websites. And I mean,
I'm a hawk with my bank account. It drives back crazy, y'all.
(20:51):
Sen him a text like, I mean I get alert.
So I said a text like did you just purchase
something like work?
Speaker 4 (20:59):
When we want to have a chat, I don't have
to buy the letter? Know where I went to luncher
and they could short Yeah, already Subway yeah, I know.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Yeah, Ken's the same exact way he'll text. I mean
the minute I hit pay, now I get a text
did you just order something from X y Z?
Speaker 3 (21:13):
And I'm like, yeah, yeah, I know it's frustrating. But
also we have been hit at Christmas time before, which
this was like probably eight six eight years ago.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Yeah, my account got emptied. I went, I made a purchase.
It was a small and like a six or seven
dollars purchase. You know, nobody ever carries cash anymore, right,
So used a debit card and it got rejected. I thought,
let's you check it again. Rejected, and I thought, man,
that's weird. So I actually had cash that day and
I paid cash for but I went out and checked
(21:42):
my account. Wow, and somebody had used my account to
buy travel certificates for United Arab Emirates Emirates airplane vouchers
and there's no way to track those.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Yeah, and his parents to three children at Christmas time.
That was very scary to have our cound strain. So yeah,
so I'm a hawk. And then also you know, the
same goes where when you're having your packages delivered. We
do sometimes have an increase in package thefts because again,
criminals are opportunistic. They know that people are shopping online.
We highly encourage people to invest in some type of
(22:17):
surveillance system, anything as small as a ring doorbell camera
up to a state of the art, you know, video
surveillance system at your home, because I think in the
next segment we're going to talk a lot more about
the technology and where Belmont Peedi is going with that.
But if you do have that unfortunate incident where someone
steals a package from your door, with that surveillance camera,
(22:38):
it's a lot easier for us to investigate the case.
But with that being said, you could look into having
it delivered to an Amazon locker, having a neighbor make
sure they pick it up for you. So there are
options there that can help keep you safe.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Definitely, we have plenty of options in baw Mine. I mean,
you can have a deliver to the ups stores. There's
a host of places in the town where you can
have your stuff delivered if you are concerned about it
sitting on your patio in which I think today everybody.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Is absolutely and or if your a company allows it,
have it delivered to your office, yeah, you know, when
you're open. Now, the other thing is travel safety. Let's
talk a little bit about how do we maintain our
safety there.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Yeah, so whenever you are going to see family on
the holidays. You know one thing that I tell people
as well, just to kind of piggyback off of that,
is Christmas Day, make sure you're not putting the xbox
box or the sixty five inch TV box outside at
your trash can you know, we tell people break those
boxes down, put them in black contractor style garbage bags,
(23:36):
so that if somebody is case in the neighborhood, they
don't know all the goodies that you have inside of
your home. But when you are leaving to go out
of town, there are a few things you can do.
I'm not sure how many people get newspapers delivered anymore,
but maybe stop that newspaper service, your mail service, because
those are indications that nobody's home and nobody's been home
in a little while, and so that could be something
(23:56):
that criminals might hone in on. Also, there are things
like I like light timers that you can plug into
lamps and things in your home where you set the
timer for the light to come on in the living
room or in the kitchen at certain times. To make
the illusion that someone is there. Of course, the old
faithful is making sure you know your neighbors. Make sure
you know your neighbors. It's great whenever you're going out
(24:19):
of town to be able to tell your next door
across the street, neighbor, hey, we're going to be out
of town. We keep an eye on the house. Nobody
should be here. I can't tell you how many times
we'll get, like a nine to one one call for
a burglary in progress from a neighbor who knows that
somebody's not supposed to be there, but maybe their neighbor
forgot to tell them that, Oh yeah, somebody was coming
to feed the dogs and it's fine, which we don't mind.
But that is how we keep our community safe. There
(24:40):
are a lot more citizens out there than there are
police officers, so we need to look out for each other.
Speaker 4 (24:45):
Yeah, and even with the timers that Halen mention, I mean,
technology is where it is today and there are plenty
of cell phone apps. You can run your whole house
no matter where you are. Yeah, so I could be
in Ville, Colorado, and on my cell phone, I could
turn my port lights on or whatever.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Can we go Toville Colorado.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Sure, but you know it sounds funny data and it
sounds like straight common sense. But lock your doors. You'd
be amazed at how many people don't lock their doors
even at night, right because you know, I think what
society sometimes we have a habit of doing, is thinking
that everybody is just like we are. Ye, nobody would
(25:20):
walk in my house in the middle of the night.
Nobody will come in here just to steal my stuff.
You're wrong.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Lock your doors, right, right, Do everything you can on
your part.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
Absolutely, and again with technology, our doors or our locks
are electronic. I could open it from my phone.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
So now we've talked about how we're going to keep
safe and all of those different ways. But you know,
one of the things we haven't mentioned yet is safety
with parties. So what are some things that you recommend
as we're attending all of these holiday parties?
Speaker 3 (25:47):
Yeah, holiday parties everyone, you know, I know, we our
calendar has already booked to the point where it's like
we have no free weekends in Desummer at this point.
But you know that comes with an increase in alcohol consumption,
know that, And we want people to have a great time,
but we want them to do that safely. A DWI
or even worse, a crash or a death can absolutely
(26:08):
change the entire course of your life. And so we
want to encourage people to make a plan. Always have
a plan if you're going to go out. So a
designated driver is so important or it's so easy now
with uber itver is something that can absolutely save your
job and your life. And so make a plan. And
if you consume too much alcohol, get a ride. It's
(26:30):
really that simple. So there's really no reason that we
should still be having a DWI crashes and fatalities, and
we do see an increase in those during the holiday times.
So take that into two account and just think about
the consequences, because I think a lot of people think
it can't happen to them or I'm fine, and we
(26:50):
see every day that that's not the case.
Speaker 4 (26:52):
And even without alcohol, I mean, road traffic during the
holidays of course doubles, triples, quadruples, you know. And by
putting that in more assets on the roadway, eventually something's
going to run into each other, you know. And so
that's a big thing when you're driving during the holidays
is take your time right. You don't have to do
nine miles an hour, just save fifteen minutes in your
total trip. And we see that a lot.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
Yeah, and you're truly not saving any time. And that's
what I wish I could tell people a lot of times.
You know, we live in Lumberton, and so we make
that travel from Beaumont to Lumberton, and I can't tell
you how many times I see that car speeding by,
and then we're at the same stoplight at four twenty one.
You know, you really you're not doing anything but putting
yourself and other people in danger. And for those who
aren't partiers and aren't drinkers, but you find yourself out
(27:35):
on the roadway, you need to be paying attention and
expect that somebody on the roadway is probably driving impaired,
and to be aware of that and drive defensively, put
your own cell phone down, and pay attention to the road, because, yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:46):
Don't take for granted when you're at a stoplight that
the car is going to stop. I want to stop
sign or whatever, give it a couple seconds.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Now.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
That's a tragedy in Boumont anyway, because you have a
red light, turn red, and you always have to count
till two or three before you go through, because there's
always somebody trying.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
To be for sure. It's like everyone's trying to beat
that light and oh, I've got a couple of seconds.
Like people know that there's a delay, so they think
that delay means that they get to, you know, go through,
and it's it's it's very dangerous. So yeahah, be aware
of that.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
Well, you guys have given us a lot to think
about and what I've heard, just to summarize the whole
thing is to be alert, stay vigilant, and put your
phone down, whether you're shopping or you're driving or whatever
you're doing during the season. But when we come back,
we are going to talk about the Real Time Crime Center.
A lot of excitement around that. I've heard so much
(28:34):
and so many good things happening with that, so don't
go away, you're going to want to hear about it.
This is Dana Simmons with the Dana Simmons Show. Welcome back.
This is Dana Simmons, and we've had such a great
conversation today, first with Sadie Athos, she's the Beaumont CVB
(28:58):
marketing director, talking about all all the amazing things going
on in Southeast Texas and is specifically in Beaumont during
the holidays, and if you want to find out, go
to the Beaumont CVB website or their Facebook page and
you can get a list of all the things happening
and most of those things are free, so take a
look at those. Also with us Matt and Haley Morrow
(29:18):
with the Beaumont Police Department, and we've been talking about
how do you stay safe this holiday season, given us
all kinds of great tips about how to stay alert
and what to look for and what are some tips.
So if you miss that, you can go back and
listen to the podcast that'll be posted this next week.
But also we want to visit about that amazing new
real time crime center, so you guys talk a little
(29:41):
bit about the impact that that has had on our community.
Speaker 3 (29:45):
Well, it's been phenomenal, I mean it is absolutely we
keep calling it a game changer in law enforcement and
so hopefully everyone has heard about it, but just in
case they haven't, I want to talk a little bit
about what it is and what it means because some
of the terms that we'll be using on one make
sure people know. So we started it with a very
small unit, a lieutenant a sergeant and a Grade one
(30:06):
officer about in January. This is obviously something we've been
working on for years and we're fully up and running.
And basically what it is is you imagine, it's real
time crime, and it is using technology to help keep
the citizens of Beaumont safe. And so right now we
have over two thousand, six hundred and sixty registered cameras
(30:29):
and we have nine hundred and eighteen integrated cameras. And
what I want to tell you a little bit about
what that means. So a registered camera is strictly that
it's just registered. We don't have access to it, but
anyone can register their cameras from a residential home to
a business. It takes one minute. You go to connect
to Beaumont, TX dot org. It takes a minute to
fill out your information your name, your address, your phone number,
(30:51):
your email address, and how many cameras you have, And
that basically puts a dot on a map and it
lets us know, hey, there's a camera here. So if
we have a detective that's investigating a string of auto
burglaries in a neighborhood, they can pull up that registry
and say, well, the neighbors that live at you know,
thirty five, forty and forty five all have cameras. Let
me reach out and see if they caught anything on
their camera. So we'll send an email or a text
(31:13):
message that says, can you please check your cameras between
this time and this time. If you have anything that
can help us, send it. So that's putting the power
in our citizens' hands to help us with investigations. And
then the integrated cameras, that's what we want for every business.
So every business or organization that's open to the public
or has a lot of visitors, we would love to
(31:35):
be integrated with their cameras. So that's an already existing
camera system set up, and they would purchase what's called
a FUSUS core, and there's different cores based on how
many cameras you have, but basically you plug that core
into your already existing camera system and that gives that
bridge to our real time crime center. So if something
happens at that business and a nine one one call
(31:56):
is placed, those cameras are popped up in our real
time crime stats and our officers are seeing exactly what's
going on immediately. Then they can give that information to
our patrol officers who are responding. So we have had
some really great success stories. We did the ribbon cutting
in July and it's just been NonStop after that, and
(32:18):
so it's really by word of mouth. We have a
great team that goes out and tries to get businesses
on board, but really where that participation comes in is unfortunately,
when something happens and then they realize the value in it.
And so we've shared a lot of stories with the
news media, of course, to try to get the word
out so people understand how important it is. We have
(32:39):
one particular business on Concord that was one of our
first integrated cameras. It's just a hot spot area where
a lot of crime happens. We've had a homicide there,
we've had robberies, shots fired. It's a parking lot that
pops off on the weekends after two am when the
clubs close, and we have had some great success where
(32:59):
our patrol sergeant was able to witness on the cameras
because they were responding. But the sergeant pulls up the
cameras to start giving information to those patrol officers of
a suspect firing shots in a crowd, and so prior
to the real time crime center and integrated technology like that.
You know, when shots go off in a crowded parking lot,
(33:20):
people just start running, they scatter, and yeah, we eventually
get called and we're on our way, but we have
no idea what's going on, and then it's a matter
of who can we actually talk to when we get there,
who's going to stick around, and who actually saw something.
But when we have eyes and we're seeing exactly what's
going on in this particular case, seeing the person who's
firing the shots, watching them walk to a vehicle, get
(33:40):
in that vehicle, and as they're leaving out of the
parking lot, the patrol officer pulling up knew exactly what
he was looking for, and we were able to make
the arrest right then, versus waiting putting the footage out
like my job would have been putting the footage out
on the next business day to the media, waiting for
crime stoppers tips, and then trying to track down the person.
So really precision police work and catching people in the act.
(34:03):
We got three guns out of that car, I think,
and some some different drugs, and of course that suspect
was arrested right then there.
Speaker 1 (34:11):
That is so amazing.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
It's fantastic.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
So I have a question about that. So if I'm
a business owner, which I am, and I want to
participate in this, and I'll go to that connect Beaumont,
TX dot org website, I can do that and register
my cameras. But what is the next step you talked about?
And maybe this is on the website as well, the
core information where do I know what I need, where
(34:35):
to buy it and all of that.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
Yep, So when you go to connects to BEAUMONTTX dot org,
you can register your cameras and again that's just putting
you on the map. And then the level too, which
is on the website right underneath it says integrate your
cameras and there's a learn more button. You can click
the learn more button, you can kind of look around
shop and see what might fit your needs. You know,
there are some businesses that have twenty cameras, but for
(34:57):
law enforcement purposes. There's four key cameras, the cash register,
the front door, you know, maybe inside the store, the
parking lot, and so you can kind of choose what
works out best for you. There's the one time fee
of the core and then there's a yearly subscription to
help keep you you know, having that service, and so
it is absolutely one hundred percent worth it. And then
(35:18):
also the license plate reader technology is something that we're
using a lot, and so businesses are, even neighborhoods are
getting on board with the license plate readers where what
we use is flock Safety and it's a poll with
a camera on it and it captures every license plate
that passes by. So that's extremely helpful. Again, if there's
a neighborhood that a string of auto burglaries that happened
(35:40):
between you know, one in three am, well we can
start that investigation by running the license plates that went
through around that time. And then if you have a
neighbor that's got video surveillance that shows the suspect vehicle
as a black sedan, well we can actually go to
a search in flock safety for black sedans that through
(36:00):
and it dwindles it down. I mean, it is absolutely amazing,
amazing technology, and it's making a huge difference in law enforcement.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Absolutely. I love that.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Why don't you explaind to Dana what the difference is
about us monitoring her business cameras or not? So the
difference so no, no, no, no, no, I mean, I mean,
you know, is is it a situation where Okay, Dana,
she has she has four cameras, right, and her business says, yep,
you know what, I want to get on board this
and she gets the basic system. Can we then go
(36:30):
in and monitor those cameras whenever we want to or.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
Okay, so you know, one one drawback that people have
or reservation that they have is that the big brother,
big brother, it's I don't want the police department watching
everything we're doing. Well, first, I can tell you that
with nine hundred and eighteen integrated cameras right now, we
really don't have time to sit down and watch every
business and we don't and we don't want to give
the false sense of security that we're monitoring all of
(36:57):
these cameras twenty four to seven, because we're not. It's therefore,
if and when something is happening, or if we know
that there's a problem area at a specific time, then
we can. But it's not a one hundred percent deal.
But the privacy truly lays in the hands of the
camera owner. So you can say, hey, I've got nothing
to hide, I want BPD to check my cameras anytime
(37:18):
they want, and you can give full access, or you
can say, well, I don't really want bomont pe D
looking at the cameras all the time, but there's a
way that when a nine to one one call for
service is placed in that area, your cameras are accessible
and so it will give us because all of that
is integrated in with our CAT and our nine one
one dispatch center. Or you can say, you know what,
(37:39):
I like the idea of it. I want to maybe
have the ability for bomont pe D to look at
my cameras, but only when they request them and I
give access. I want to be able to know when
they're looking at the cameras, and so we're fine with that.
We absolutely encourage businesses that have questions. I'll give you
some information that you can put with the podcast, and
they can always go to my Facebook page. It's at
(38:02):
Officer Hayley Morrow. Send me a message anytime and I
can answer their questions and get them set up. But
our Real Time Crime Center, Lieutenant Cody Kurtz and Sergeant
Brandon Garris are fantastic. They will meet with anyone. They'll
meet with one single person at the Real Time Crime Center.
Give them a tour, show them some of the amazing
success stories that we've had, and it's really cool. I
(38:22):
used to get up and do presentations and tell people
that it's not the way it looks like on CSI.
It's starting to be the way it looks like on CSI,
and that's really really changing the game for law enforcement.
Speaker 4 (38:34):
What about if somebody wanted Warne for their home, you.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
Can integrate cameras at your home. There are certain ones
that Ring Doorbell is a private third party, we can't
have access to it at all, but there are ones
that you can purchase, like at Sam's Club or online
that are true open I don't know. I'm not a
technological person, but they are open camera systems where if
you wanted to purchase a FEWS to score, you could.
(38:59):
We don't really, it's not that we don't recommend it
by all means. If you want it, absolutely if you
live in an area that you maybe face a busy intersection,
it could be helpful. But the chances of something happening
in real time situation in your camera being integrated are
really slim. But again, you know, we won't turn down
anyone who wants to do it. We will have the
(39:22):
access if something ever happens. But it's just important that
literally anyone and everyone has cameras whatever they are, whether
it's the ring doorbell or something else.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Again, it's what we talked about earlier in that while
the bumm Up Police Department's doing a fantastic job of
chasing all these things down, it really involves each of us,
you know, in some way, being able to participate whenever
there's something going on, whether it is when we see
it personally and we can report it and be extra
(39:53):
eyes and ears, or if it's through our camera systems
where we can allow you guys to have access to
look at that. And so all of that information. Repeat
that website again so that they can make sure if
someone has any questions there, they can get on that
website and get some of those answers correctly.
Speaker 3 (40:09):
So it's connect Beaumont, TX dot org, and the website
will kind of explain it's the FUSIS system is what
it is, but it's integrated into our real time Crime center.
The Real Time Crime Center is the big picture. It's
what brings all of the different systems together, and FUSUS
is just one part of that. And so again if
(40:29):
anyone is interested and they want to learn more, they
can reach out to me on Facebook and we'll get
them set up. And if they want to come toward
the Real Time Crime Center or they want an officer
to come out to their business and take a look
at it, we do. We actually, as part of our
community relations, we will do what we call side assessments.
We'll go out to a business and look and say, hey,
(40:50):
this is where you could have some problems. We recommend
you install cameras here, install whatever the case may be
that they may need to help keep them safe. But yeah,
it's a community effort. The campaigns something say something is
kind of our mantra. We really can't do it alone.
We need everyone's help, right.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
I really love that it is almost immediately that that
Real Time Crime Center started and you started seeing effects
of being able to utilize that system. I mean immediately, yeah.
Speaker 4 (41:18):
Yeah, even at the very beginning when the capabilities were limited,
it was paying for itself so to speak. Yeah, with
case closures and whatnot. So it's an amazing tool that
we have. I'm a guy who's kind of a dinosaur
in this business. I've been around a long time, and
you know, just to and the officers can pull the
stuff up in their cars too, right, and their cell phones,
(41:40):
so their city cell phones, the NDCs in their car. Dan,
if your burglar arms going off your business and your
camera's integrated, I can pop it right up and look
at that camera live, you know, to see Okay, I
can see a broken door there, or a broken window
or so somebody's coming out or whatever.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
It's just amazing technology. It is wonderful. Well, you guys
have been so helpful for us to help to keep
us safe this holiday season, but not just the holiday season.
These are practices year round, year round, and this real
time crime center is an effective way for all of
us to continue to be safe in our area. So,
Matt and Haley Morrow, thank you so much for being
(42:19):
here today. I really appreciate the opportunity to share with
you guys, and you share with our community all the
things that we need to know. Also, I just want
to say thank you so much for sharing all of
the things that are going on at the Beaumont CBB. So,
Sadie give us those websites and that Facebook page where
they can go and find out that information.
Speaker 2 (42:41):
Yes, visit Beaumont, TX dot com as the Beaumont CVB's
website and then follow us on Facebook, Instagram, visit Beaumont, TX.
Speaker 1 (42:51):
Well, it's been a great show. Thank you guys for
joining us today. I hope you are enjoying this holiday
season and that you have so much to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for each one of you and want to
say Happy Thanksgiving. Have a great week.
Well, hello Southeast Texas. I'm so glad that you've joined
us today. We have an exciting show. We have so
much to be thankful here in Southeast Texas, and we're
going to talk a little bit about some of the
things going on here in Southeast Texas with Sadie Atha,
the Beaumont CVB Marketing Director. We're also going to be
talking about while you are out and about shopping and
(00:22):
enjoying those parties. What are some ways that we can
keep you safe during the holiday season. Matt and Hailey
Morrow with the Beaumont Police Department, We'll be sharing some
tips for you on how to do that. But before
we get started, I'd like for them to introduce themselves
and share what are they thankful for this holiday season.
So we'll start with you, Sadie. Talk to us a
(00:44):
little bit about who you are, how long you've been
in Southeast Texas, and what are you thankful for this season.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Thanks Dana uh So, I'm Sadie. I grew up here
in Southeast Texas actually, and Winnie, my dad grew up there,
and my grandparents are actually here from the area, and
so I'm excited to kind of be back. I moved away,
I went to college, and now I'm back. When the
position opened up with the CVB to sell Beaumont and
(01:10):
sell the travel and tourism industry, I had to jump
on it because I love storytelling, I love art. I
love being able to share things that I love with people,
and so I'm glad to be back in doing that.
And I'm really thankful for my family this holiday season.
I have a little zoo at my house. I've got chickens,
I've got dogs, cats, and a two year old who
(01:32):
thinks she's a dog and a cat sometimes. So I'm
just thankful for all of them.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Oh that's awesome. Well, I love that you were raised here,
went away for college, and then came back here. I
love those stories of people who choose to come back
to Southeast Texas. And I love what you're doing in
working for the CVB, which is the Convention in Vistress Bureau,
because you get to see all the amazing things that
(01:57):
we have going on here in Southeast Texas. But I
think we often take for granted or we don't even
think about because we think about, oh, what can I
go do somewhere else, but right here in our own city.
We have amazing things coming up that will allow people
to celebrate the holiday season and enjoy their family, and
most of it's free.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Oh I think everything I have for you is almost free.
So that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
So we'll get to that in our next segment. So
you guys stay tuned so you can hear about some
of those things that are coming up. Also with this
is Hailey Moro with the Beaumont Police Department. Hailey, everyone
in south East Texas knows you. They get to see
you give us some great advice and tips, but taught
to us a little bit about who you are and
how long you've been here. Sure.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
So I've lived in Southeast Texas my entire life, with
a very brief stent in California. But I have been
with the Baumant Police Department a miss eleven years and
the last eight i've been in the police Community Relations Unit.
So that's what affords me the opportunity to have my
face out there for some need to know my name,
but most importantly that I represent the Beaumont Police Department
(03:04):
and the true heroes, which are the officers who are
out responding to calls every day and keeping our community safe.
Of course, get to do this job with my amazing husband, Matt,
which he'll introduce himself in a second. I would say
that I'm thankful for always family, but most importantly recently,
our daughter was involved in a little scary accident where
her car was flooded out and it was a pretty
dangerous situation. So I'm very grateful that she's okay. And
(03:27):
I can't just stop there, so I'm grateful for the
opportunity to have a job where I love doing. You know,
I love coming to work every single day and giving
a platform to law enforcement and spreading the good of
what we do every single day here.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Yeah, it is a gift and we love being able
to see and the way that you present all of
the amazing things that the Laumont Police Department is doing.
And you're right, they are the heroes that every day
they go out there and put their life on the
line for each one of us. So what an amazing
sacrifice they make for each of us. And it's been
(04:00):
right there next to you is one of those guys.
So Matt Morrow, so glad to have you with us.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Good morning, Thanks again for having Stan and we always
we love doing new show. So I am Matt Morrow.
I'm better known as Hailey Marris's Husband's generally how I'm
referred to if they don't know they're my name. I've
been a cop for thirty seven years. I've been in
Southeast Texas and on the bow my police tourtment for
twenty four. Prior to that, I was working in Washington,
(04:24):
d C. And so what I'm thankful for, of course,
is my love of the wife, Haley, and we have
five great kids.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Family. It means so much, and I think at this
time of year it's when we really focus on that.
And for me, it's the same thing. I have four
amazing grown children, two of my own and two that
are my in loves I call them, and then three
absolutely cutest, most adorable grandchildren you'll ever see. So I
(04:55):
love that in the holiday season we do get to
focus on what were are thankful for and spending time
with them. So when we come back, we're going to
find some ways that you can spend some time with
those family members, because we're going to talk to Sadie
and she is going to share with us some of
the events coming up that you're not going to want
to miss. So don't go away this is the Dana
Simmons Show. Welcome Back. This is Dana Simmons and I
(05:25):
am joined today by Sadie Athus. She is the Beaumont
CVB Marketing Director and Sadie. During this holiday season, there
are so many events coming up that people can participate
in and the majority of them are free. So talk
about some of the things that are going on here
in Southeast Texas that people can jump in on and enjoy.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Right, So thanks again Dana for having me. So one
of the biggest things that the CVB is doing itself
is we're partnering with Exon Mobile and we're sponsoring a
twelve days of December. For the first twelve days of December,
a toy drive, So going to a couple of attractions
that are around the city, likes Mindletop Boomtown Museum bring
(06:07):
a new unwrapped toy and they're going to give away
vouchers for up to four guests throughout the month of
December that you can come back and use and bring
your family.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
And then.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
The city is having a Christmas tree lighting and that
is free. And that's whenever you get to see snow
in Beaumont. You can't really say that a lot. They're
going to have a drone show there too.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
It's so funny that you said that. I just noticed
on Facebook one of my friends that I sold them
a house. They have a little boy who is I
think he's like four or five, and he had said
something to his mom about mom, when is it going
to snow for Christmas? And she said, well, we live
in Southeast Texas. It really doesn't snow for Christmas, and
(06:54):
he said, it can't be Christmas without snow. I just
saw that whole little you know in little One are
so cute. So I am going to message her and say,
it is going to snow in Southeast Texas, and so
give us the date for that tree lighting where we
can actually go see that snow.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
That's going to be December fourth, from five to seven
thirty pm downtown at the event Center. And there's going
to be a drone show as soon as they light
the Christmas tree with the mayor. So that's going to
be really cool. I love drone shows, So.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Talk a little bit about for those who don't know
what a drone show is, talk a little bit about
what that looks like.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Oh, it's a little unreal honestly, like they it's almost
like it should be fireworks, but they just move in
the sky and it and it to me, it kind
of reminds me of Toy Story in a way, like
all these little cameras almost that are in the sky
and they rotate and they move and they make images
and it's just almost it's like three D but it's not.
(07:50):
At the same time, it's such a surreal experience honestly.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
So it's like a light show in the sky. Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
See I'm one of those who I've never seen a
drone show, so I love that information. So what else? Now,
you were talking about that toy drive and you said
it is for twelve days, and you mentioned that it's
three places. What are the three places that people can
go to drop off a toy and then get a voucher.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Oh, so that one suspendle top has the voucher and
you can there's twelve locations throughout the entire twelve days
that you can go to and you can find the
full list at BEAUMONTCVB dot com slash twelve days okay,
and that'll have all the twelve locations. The Fire Museum
is going to be giving out ornaments whenever you bring
a toy donation and they're really cute, but those are
(08:36):
all supplies last. And then we're going to be at
Main Street Market the CVB and we're going to be
giving out twenty five percent off discount cards to Gobo
Gifts with toy donations as well.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
That's awesome. So tell me where are these toys going
to go and who is going to benefit from receiving them.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
So we're focusing on giving them to several local charities.
We're still confirming the details on that, but hopefully to
give back to children in needs. So we're hoping to
be able to fill up our van with infant, toddler, elementary,
and junior, high and high school aged toys to be
able to give back to families in the community.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
That's such a great thing to do at this time
of year. We all have so much so anywhere that
you can give back and this is a great way
to do it and potentially get a voucher or a
cute little ornament. So okay, so we've got the holiday
toy drive. Then you were talking about the Christmas tree
lighting coming up. What else do we have coming So.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
The Art Museum of Southeast Texas is also having a
holiday tree lighting and that one you can take pictures
with Santa, decorate cookies, ornaments, do crafts. There'll be live
music and there's lots of the other attractions in the
area will be there. And that's the next day, December fifth,
from for to six point thirty and then Classic Movie
(09:57):
Nights at the Jefferson Theater. That's another place. You can
also bring toy to the Polar Express, I know, and
later in December that they're going to be doing Frozen.
My daughter is obsessed with Frozen right now. Everything is
Anna or Elsa, oh yeah, and so she's really excited
about going to see that. I know, the Symphony of
Southeast Texas does their holiday show at the Julie Rogers.
(10:18):
There's just so many things. I can't even keep up
with that for ething.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
I know, I just saw a White Christmas, which is
one of my favorites. Will also be at the Jefferson Theater.
Super excited about that. I think I'll be going to
that one. Now you've talked about so many events and
times and places. I'm sure people could write all of
that down. So where can someone go and get all
of that information if they want to be able to
find where these are happening.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
So we list all of the events submitted to us
that are hosted by the city and other attractions at
visit Beaumont, TX dot com. Go to the things to
do in events page and we try and list everything
that we can because we don't want anybody to think
there's nothing to do. There's always something to do. Like
you said, most of it is free or very affordable,
and that's what's great, especially with this time of year, and.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
I think that people just don't realize they just don't
know about all the amazing things. Now, you guys also
have a Facebook page as.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Well, right, yes, so be sure to follow us on
Facebook because we also every first of the month we
post a monthly roundup of all the things that are
happening and they're a pretty big hit. We get like
almost two hundred shares on our October month, which is
the busiest month, but we get a lot of interactions
with those.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
So what is the Facebook page that they can follow.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Visit Beaumont, Texas.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Visit Beaumont, Texas. And so what I love about that
is when you post that, I can print that and
then make my plans for the month on things that
I can do with the kids or the grandkids, And
so it gives you an opportunity not to just find
it out about it that day or a week ahead,
but you've got the entire month where you can plan
your activities and the local things that are here that
(11:56):
are free. And so I love that you guys do that,
So thank.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
You of course, and we all do that. Make sure
they're themed too, so they can match any calendar that
you have.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Yeah, it makes for a wonderful look as well. You
can print it and stick it on your fridge and
it looks great. Right now. One of the things that
you guys have recently done is you've updated your website
and that is amazing, So talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yes, so visit velmontix dot com just got a facelift.
We have kind of decided to just align ourselves with
some of our competitors because we want to be a
destination that people can trust, and I think the website
really reflects that. The biggest thing that we've done besides
giving it a refresh, is we have maps, illustrative maps
(12:40):
on there that are kind of categorized by neighborhoods, So
if you're in a specific area, you can click on
that neighborhood and you can look and see, oh, what
can I do in this neighborhood specifically, where do I
have to go that's not I don't have to drive
very far? And what's there to do to eat, to
see like? And where to stay as well, because that's
(13:00):
the most important place too for our visitors. It's like,
where can I stay it's affordable or close by, and
so it's all categorized in that way. And then we
also have a micro site for Tarrell Park and Tarol
Park Nature Center, and so Tarrell Park is just full
of cool things. The botanical gardens, cattail marsh, Tailor Park,
(13:20):
nature Center, the stables, the archery range, disc golf, there's
the list goes on really and there's a website that
talks about each and everything to do inside Taryll Park.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
You know, I love that you mentioned all of those things.
Whenever I have people come in from out of town,
I always have a package ready for them that has
the information from the CVB that has all the things
there are to do here and around the area. And
I'm always shocked whenever I've taken some of my out
of town customers to launch with people that they'll be
(13:52):
working with, and we're looking through that book and the
local people are shocked. They're like, this is amazing. I
need one of those. I had the mom and sister
of one of our customers. They live here and she's
relocating back, so I brought her one of those and
they were both like, we need that. So if people
here locally aren't aware of everything that is here, they
(14:13):
can stop by the CVB and pick those up.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Right, Yes, those are our Regional Visitors Guide, but you're right,
they should be regional residence Guides too, And they're just
a really big resource for all the things to do.
They list our annual events that we have, and they
have all the attractions. We try to get as much
of the restaurants that are open at the time that
we're making the guide and stuff. So we just want
(14:38):
to make everything available to everyone.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Yeah, one of my customers took it home to their
kids and the kids were looking through it and highlighting
all the things when they relocate here that they want
to do. So I think that resource is an amazing
resource for your right our visitors, people who are coming
here just to spend time, but also people who are
relocating here to live for a long time. It gives
us an operportunity to say, look at what we have here,
(15:03):
and so thank you for I'm so thankful that you
guys provide that resource for us.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
No problem.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
So we're going to come back and we're going to
be visiting with Matt and Haley Morrow, and we're going
to talk about safety during this holiday's time. So don't
go away. This is Dana Simmons with the Dana Simmons Show.
(15:29):
Welcome back. This is Dana Simmons and I have been
joined in the last segment by Sadie Atha and she
is the marketing director at the Beaumont CVB. And if
you are looking for things to do in our area
over the holidays, go to the CVB website or their
Facebook page and you can get a list of all
(15:49):
the amazing things that we have going on here that
are even free. So check that out. And in the
holiday season, while you're out and about doing all of
those things, we want to make sure that you are
are keeping yourself safe. So we have Matt and Haley
Morrow here. They're going to talk a little bit about
what are the things that you can do to make
this holiday a wonderful one and also a safe one.
(16:12):
So welcome guys, So glad.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
You were here.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Thanks Travis back again.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Yeah, so tell me a little bit about what are
the first things we need to make sure we're doing.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Yeah, well, you know, obviously all of the things that
we talk about today you can apply to your life
at any time, but we know when the holidays come around,
people kind of take that extra precaution of what can
I do to stay safe? And so the first thing
that I always tell people when we're talking about safety
is being aware of your surroundings, making sure that you're
paying attention to what's going on. You know, a lot
of times criminals are looking for an opportunity, and so
(16:46):
when our citizens are knowledgeable and know how to carry
themselves where they look like they're paying attention, they have
their head on a swivel, that can kind of deter
crime a little bit. So paying attention to your surroundings.
Parking in well lit areas wintertime, so of course it's
getting dark, it seems like at four pm every day,
and so parking well lit areas, pay attention, try not
(17:08):
to be distracted with your cell phone, and if you
are out shopping, like if you're taking a day and
you're going to hit a lot of places, I recommend
bringing like a blanket where you can cover things that
are in your vehicle. Auto burglary is something that most
people are concerned about, so if you can try to
hide any valuable packages, if you have the ability to
(17:30):
make trips home and drop things off, then of course
we recommend that as well.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
Yeah, and on that though, you really need to be
careful because there are so many people special for that.
The mall where there are a number of retail stores
in one location, well, they can only comfortably carry around
three or four bags. So hey, I tell you what
I'm gonna do. I'm going to go out and run
these out, put them in the car so I can
come back in and keep shopping. Where there are people
out in the parking lots watching for that as soon
as you walk away, they'll hit your car. At least
(17:56):
his auto burglars are huge, and I really want to
emphasize these cell phone aspect of safety. It's really hard
not to get wrapped up in your phone, especially if
you're watching a TikTok video. Or you're trying to text
your son, daughter, husband and wife, Hey I'm going to
the grocery or whatever. But stay aware of what's going
on around you. I'm not saying you have to, you know,
(18:17):
totally phase out everything, but be smart about it. You know,
and especially if you're in a parking at the mall,
not only do you have to worry about the criminals,
you have to worry about other people driving. Stepping out
in front of them could be hazardous to your health.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Yeah, and I do want to say that the Beaumont
Police Department Special Assignment Unit every year at the holidays
from Thanksgiving through Christmas, they are assigned as special detail
where they are in the down Road retail area, So
they will you'll see an increased presence there because we
all know Dollnroad gets very, very busy during the holiday
(18:49):
shopping season, so we saturate that area with additional officers
to give that visibility, give that you know, felt safety,
but then also to be able to respond to things quicker.
So know that we will be out in a heavier
presence around the mall, in the Downroad retail area.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
So what I hear is be alert, be alert. Really
just be vigilant and be alert to what surround you.
Put that phone away till you get back in the car.
I get it. I mean my husband will say, text
me when you're leaving, and so instead of texting in
the parking lot, as I say, I'm leaving, get in
the car, then shut and lock your door, and then
text your yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
And you know it's we don't want to come across
like people should be afraid to walk out of their
house or go to the mall or anything. We're just same.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Be aware.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
Absolutely more times than not, people are victimized because they
look like a victim right head down in the cell phone,
they're carrying sixty eight different bags, You're not paying attention
to anything around them, and a criminal will say, hey,
look that's easy right there, and that's everywhere.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
It's not exactly what you're talking about. Everywhere, whether you're
shopping here or you're shopping in Houston, wherever you're shopping,
hopefully you're shopping here, but this is something that you
want to make sure you're aware of. Now, we've talked
about shopping in our our area, but let's talk about
online shopping. What are some ways that we can make
sure that we're safe doing that. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
Absolutely, I mean it's so convenient. You know, Amazon, those
online deals are so great, especially for people who are
super busy who don't like to go out in public,
that's an option as well. So of course we want
to make sure you know we've actually Matt and I
have both been a victim of purchasing something on a
scam website that hit our debit card. You know, it
is easy scrolling on TikTok or scrolling on Facebook and
(20:27):
seeing those sponsored ad pop up that look too good
to be true where you click on it and then
eventually you learned that that wasn't a legit site and
it compromises your debit card. So, especially when you're increasing
shopping around the holiday times, increasing that online shopping, pay attention.
Make sure you're using good, legitimate websites. And I mean,
I'm a hawk with my bank account. It drives back crazy, y'all.
(20:51):
Sen him a text like, I mean I get alert.
So I said a text like did you just purchase
something like work?
Speaker 4 (20:59):
When we want to have a chat, I don't have
to buy the letter? Know where I went to luncher
and they could short Yeah, already Subway yeah, I know.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Yeah, Ken's the same exact way he'll text. I mean
the minute I hit pay, now I get a text
did you just order something from X y Z?
Speaker 3 (21:13):
And I'm like, yeah, yeah, I know it's frustrating. But
also we have been hit at Christmas time before, which
this was like probably eight six eight years ago.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Yeah, my account got emptied. I went, I made a purchase.
It was a small and like a six or seven
dollars purchase. You know, nobody ever carries cash anymore, right,
So used a debit card and it got rejected. I thought,
let's you check it again. Rejected, and I thought, man,
that's weird. So I actually had cash that day and
I paid cash for but I went out and checked
(21:42):
my account. Wow, and somebody had used my account to
buy travel certificates for United Arab Emirates Emirates airplane vouchers
and there's no way to track those.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Yeah, and his parents to three children at Christmas time.
That was very scary to have our cound strain. So yeah,
so I'm a hawk. And then also you know, the
same goes where when you're having your packages delivered. We
do sometimes have an increase in package thefts because again,
criminals are opportunistic. They know that people are shopping online.
We highly encourage people to invest in some type of
(22:17):
surveillance system, anything as small as a ring doorbell camera
up to a state of the art, you know, video
surveillance system at your home, because I think in the
next segment we're going to talk a lot more about
the technology and where Belmont Peedi is going with that.
But if you do have that unfortunate incident where someone
steals a package from your door, with that surveillance camera,
(22:38):
it's a lot easier for us to investigate the case.
But with that being said, you could look into having
it delivered to an Amazon locker, having a neighbor make
sure they pick it up for you. So there are
options there that can help keep you safe.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Definitely, we have plenty of options in baw Mine. I mean,
you can have a deliver to the ups stores. There's
a host of places in the town where you can
have your stuff delivered if you are concerned about it
sitting on your patio in which I think today everybody.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Is absolutely and or if your a company allows it,
have it delivered to your office, yeah, you know, when
you're open. Now, the other thing is travel safety. Let's
talk a little bit about how do we maintain our
safety there.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Yeah, so whenever you are going to see family on
the holidays. You know one thing that I tell people
as well, just to kind of piggyback off of that,
is Christmas Day, make sure you're not putting the xbox
box or the sixty five inch TV box outside at
your trash can you know, we tell people break those
boxes down, put them in black contractor style garbage bags,
(23:36):
so that if somebody is case in the neighborhood, they
don't know all the goodies that you have inside of
your home. But when you are leaving to go out
of town, there are a few things you can do.
I'm not sure how many people get newspapers delivered anymore,
but maybe stop that newspaper service, your mail service, because
those are indications that nobody's home and nobody's been home
in a little while, and so that could be something
(23:56):
that criminals might hone in on. Also, there are things
like I like light timers that you can plug into
lamps and things in your home where you set the
timer for the light to come on in the living
room or in the kitchen at certain times. To make
the illusion that someone is there. Of course, the old
faithful is making sure you know your neighbors. Make sure
you know your neighbors. It's great whenever you're going out
(24:19):
of town to be able to tell your next door
across the street, neighbor, hey, we're going to be out
of town. We keep an eye on the house. Nobody
should be here. I can't tell you how many times
we'll get, like a nine to one one call for
a burglary in progress from a neighbor who knows that
somebody's not supposed to be there, but maybe their neighbor
forgot to tell them that, Oh yeah, somebody was coming
to feed the dogs and it's fine, which we don't mind.
But that is how we keep our community safe. There
(24:40):
are a lot more citizens out there than there are
police officers, so we need to look out for each other.
Speaker 4 (24:45):
Yeah, and even with the timers that Halen mention, I mean,
technology is where it is today and there are plenty
of cell phone apps. You can run your whole house
no matter where you are. Yeah, so I could be
in Ville, Colorado, and on my cell phone, I could
turn my port lights on or whatever.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Can we go Toville Colorado.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Sure, but you know it sounds funny data and it
sounds like straight common sense. But lock your doors. You'd
be amazed at how many people don't lock their doors
even at night, right because you know, I think what
society sometimes we have a habit of doing, is thinking
that everybody is just like we are. Ye, nobody would
(25:20):
walk in my house in the middle of the night.
Nobody will come in here just to steal my stuff.
You're wrong.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Lock your doors, right, right, Do everything you can on
your part.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
Absolutely, and again with technology, our doors or our locks
are electronic. I could open it from my phone.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
So now we've talked about how we're going to keep
safe and all of those different ways. But you know,
one of the things we haven't mentioned yet is safety
with parties. So what are some things that you recommend
as we're attending all of these holiday parties?
Speaker 3 (25:47):
Yeah, holiday parties everyone, you know, I know, we our
calendar has already booked to the point where it's like
we have no free weekends in Desummer at this point.
But you know that comes with an increase in alcohol consumption,
know that, And we want people to have a great time,
but we want them to do that safely. A DWI
or even worse, a crash or a death can absolutely
(26:08):
change the entire course of your life. And so we
want to encourage people to make a plan. Always have
a plan if you're going to go out. So a
designated driver is so important or it's so easy now
with uber itver is something that can absolutely save your
job and your life. And so make a plan. And
if you consume too much alcohol, get a ride. It's
(26:30):
really that simple. So there's really no reason that we
should still be having a DWI crashes and fatalities, and
we do see an increase in those during the holiday times.
So take that into two account and just think about
the consequences, because I think a lot of people think
it can't happen to them or I'm fine, and we
(26:50):
see every day that that's not the case.
Speaker 4 (26:52):
And even without alcohol, I mean, road traffic during the
holidays of course doubles, triples, quadruples, you know. And by
putting that in more assets on the roadway, eventually something's
going to run into each other, you know. And so
that's a big thing when you're driving during the holidays
is take your time right. You don't have to do
nine miles an hour, just save fifteen minutes in your
total trip. And we see that a lot.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
Yeah, and you're truly not saving any time. And that's
what I wish I could tell people a lot of times.
You know, we live in Lumberton, and so we make
that travel from Beaumont to Lumberton, and I can't tell
you how many times I see that car speeding by,
and then we're at the same stoplight at four twenty one.
You know, you really you're not doing anything but putting
yourself and other people in danger. And for those who
aren't partiers and aren't drinkers, but you find yourself out
(27:35):
on the roadway, you need to be paying attention and
expect that somebody on the roadway is probably driving impaired,
and to be aware of that and drive defensively, put
your own cell phone down, and pay attention to the road, because, yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:46):
Don't take for granted when you're at a stoplight that
the car is going to stop. I want to stop
sign or whatever, give it a couple seconds.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Now.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
That's a tragedy in Boumont anyway, because you have a
red light, turn red, and you always have to count
till two or three before you go through, because there's
always somebody trying.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
To be for sure. It's like everyone's trying to beat
that light and oh, I've got a couple of seconds.
Like people know that there's a delay, so they think
that delay means that they get to, you know, go through,
and it's it's it's very dangerous. So yeahah, be aware
of that.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
Well, you guys have given us a lot to think
about and what I've heard, just to summarize the whole
thing is to be alert, stay vigilant, and put your
phone down, whether you're shopping or you're driving or whatever
you're doing during the season. But when we come back,
we are going to talk about the Real Time Crime Center.
A lot of excitement around that. I've heard so much
(28:34):
and so many good things happening with that, so don't
go away, you're going to want to hear about it.
This is Dana Simmons with the Dana Simmons Show. Welcome back.
This is Dana Simmons, and we've had such a great
conversation today, first with Sadie Athos, she's the Beaumont CVB
(28:58):
marketing director, talking about all all the amazing things going
on in Southeast Texas and is specifically in Beaumont during
the holidays, and if you want to find out, go
to the Beaumont CVB website or their Facebook page and
you can get a list of all the things happening
and most of those things are free, so take a
look at those. Also with us Matt and Haley Morrow
(29:18):
with the Beaumont Police Department, and we've been talking about
how do you stay safe this holiday season, given us
all kinds of great tips about how to stay alert
and what to look for and what are some tips.
So if you miss that, you can go back and
listen to the podcast that'll be posted this next week.
But also we want to visit about that amazing new
real time crime center, so you guys talk a little
(29:41):
bit about the impact that that has had on our community.
Speaker 3 (29:45):
Well, it's been phenomenal, I mean it is absolutely we
keep calling it a game changer in law enforcement and
so hopefully everyone has heard about it, but just in
case they haven't, I want to talk a little bit
about what it is and what it means because some
of the terms that we'll be using on one make
sure people know. So we started it with a very
small unit, a lieutenant a sergeant and a Grade one
(30:06):
officer about in January. This is obviously something we've been
working on for years and we're fully up and running.
And basically what it is is you imagine, it's real
time crime, and it is using technology to help keep
the citizens of Beaumont safe. And so right now we
have over two thousand, six hundred and sixty registered cameras
(30:29):
and we have nine hundred and eighteen integrated cameras. And
what I want to tell you a little bit about
what that means. So a registered camera is strictly that
it's just registered. We don't have access to it, but
anyone can register their cameras from a residential home to
a business. It takes one minute. You go to connect
to Beaumont, TX dot org. It takes a minute to
fill out your information your name, your address, your phone number,
(30:51):
your email address, and how many cameras you have, And
that basically puts a dot on a map and it
lets us know, hey, there's a camera here. So if
we have a detective that's investigating a string of auto
burglaries in a neighborhood, they can pull up that registry
and say, well, the neighbors that live at you know,
thirty five, forty and forty five all have cameras. Let
me reach out and see if they caught anything on
their camera. So we'll send an email or a text
(31:13):
message that says, can you please check your cameras between
this time and this time. If you have anything that
can help us, send it. So that's putting the power
in our citizens' hands to help us with investigations. And
then the integrated cameras, that's what we want for every business.
So every business or organization that's open to the public
or has a lot of visitors, we would love to
(31:35):
be integrated with their cameras. So that's an already existing
camera system set up, and they would purchase what's called
a FUSUS core, and there's different cores based on how
many cameras you have, but basically you plug that core
into your already existing camera system and that gives that
bridge to our real time crime center. So if something
happens at that business and a nine one one call
(31:56):
is placed, those cameras are popped up in our real
time crime stats and our officers are seeing exactly what's
going on immediately. Then they can give that information to
our patrol officers who are responding. So we have had
some really great success stories. We did the ribbon cutting
in July and it's just been NonStop after that, and
(32:18):
so it's really by word of mouth. We have a
great team that goes out and tries to get businesses
on board, but really where that participation comes in is unfortunately,
when something happens and then they realize the value in it.
And so we've shared a lot of stories with the
news media, of course, to try to get the word
out so people understand how important it is. We have
(32:39):
one particular business on Concord that was one of our
first integrated cameras. It's just a hot spot area where
a lot of crime happens. We've had a homicide there,
we've had robberies, shots fired. It's a parking lot that
pops off on the weekends after two am when the
clubs close, and we have had some great success where
(32:59):
our patrol sergeant was able to witness on the cameras
because they were responding. But the sergeant pulls up the
cameras to start giving information to those patrol officers of
a suspect firing shots in a crowd, and so prior
to the real time crime center and integrated technology like that.
You know, when shots go off in a crowded parking lot,
(33:20):
people just start running, they scatter, and yeah, we eventually
get called and we're on our way, but we have
no idea what's going on, and then it's a matter
of who can we actually talk to when we get there,
who's going to stick around, and who actually saw something.
But when we have eyes and we're seeing exactly what's
going on in this particular case, seeing the person who's
firing the shots, watching them walk to a vehicle, get
(33:40):
in that vehicle, and as they're leaving out of the
parking lot, the patrol officer pulling up knew exactly what
he was looking for, and we were able to make
the arrest right then, versus waiting putting the footage out
like my job would have been putting the footage out
on the next business day to the media, waiting for
crime stoppers tips, and then trying to track down the person.
So really precision police work and catching people in the act.
(34:03):
We got three guns out of that car, I think,
and some some different drugs, and of course that suspect
was arrested right then there.
Speaker 1 (34:11):
That is so amazing.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
It's fantastic.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
So I have a question about that. So if I'm
a business owner, which I am, and I want to
participate in this, and I'll go to that connect Beaumont,
TX dot org website, I can do that and register
my cameras. But what is the next step you talked about?
And maybe this is on the website as well, the
core information where do I know what I need, where
(34:35):
to buy it and all of that.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
Yep, So when you go to connects to BEAUMONTTX dot org,
you can register your cameras and again that's just putting
you on the map. And then the level too, which
is on the website right underneath it says integrate your
cameras and there's a learn more button. You can click
the learn more button, you can kind of look around
shop and see what might fit your needs. You know,
there are some businesses that have twenty cameras, but for
(34:57):
law enforcement purposes. There's four key cameras, the cash register,
the front door, you know, maybe inside the store, the
parking lot, and so you can kind of choose what
works out best for you. There's the one time fee
of the core and then there's a yearly subscription to
help keep you you know, having that service, and so
it is absolutely one hundred percent worth it. And then
(35:18):
also the license plate reader technology is something that we're
using a lot, and so businesses are, even neighborhoods are
getting on board with the license plate readers where what
we use is flock Safety and it's a poll with
a camera on it and it captures every license plate
that passes by. So that's extremely helpful. Again, if there's
a neighborhood that a string of auto burglaries that happened
(35:40):
between you know, one in three am, well we can
start that investigation by running the license plates that went
through around that time. And then if you have a
neighbor that's got video surveillance that shows the suspect vehicle
as a black sedan, well we can actually go to
a search in flock safety for black sedans that through
(36:00):
and it dwindles it down. I mean, it is absolutely amazing,
amazing technology, and it's making a huge difference in law enforcement.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Absolutely. I love that.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Why don't you explaind to Dana what the difference is
about us monitoring her business cameras or not? So the
difference so no, no, no, no, no, I mean, I mean,
you know, is is it a situation where Okay, Dana,
she has she has four cameras, right, and her business says, yep,
you know what, I want to get on board this
and she gets the basic system. Can we then go
(36:30):
in and monitor those cameras whenever we want to or.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
Okay, so you know, one one drawback that people have
or reservation that they have is that the big brother,
big brother, it's I don't want the police department watching
everything we're doing. Well, first, I can tell you that
with nine hundred and eighteen integrated cameras right now, we
really don't have time to sit down and watch every
business and we don't and we don't want to give
the false sense of security that we're monitoring all of
(36:57):
these cameras twenty four to seven, because we're not. It's therefore,
if and when something is happening, or if we know
that there's a problem area at a specific time, then
we can. But it's not a one hundred percent deal.
But the privacy truly lays in the hands of the
camera owner. So you can say, hey, I've got nothing
to hide, I want BPD to check my cameras anytime
(37:18):
they want, and you can give full access, or you
can say, well, I don't really want bomont pe D
looking at the cameras all the time, but there's a
way that when a nine to one one call for
service is placed in that area, your cameras are accessible
and so it will give us because all of that
is integrated in with our CAT and our nine one
one dispatch center. Or you can say, you know what,
(37:39):
I like the idea of it. I want to maybe
have the ability for bomont pe D to look at
my cameras, but only when they request them and I
give access. I want to be able to know when
they're looking at the cameras, and so we're fine with that.
We absolutely encourage businesses that have questions. I'll give you
some information that you can put with the podcast, and
they can always go to my Facebook page. It's at
(38:02):
Officer Hayley Morrow. Send me a message anytime and I
can answer their questions and get them set up. But
our Real Time Crime Center, Lieutenant Cody Kurtz and Sergeant
Brandon Garris are fantastic. They will meet with anyone. They'll
meet with one single person at the Real Time Crime Center.
Give them a tour, show them some of the amazing
success stories that we've had, and it's really cool. I
(38:22):
used to get up and do presentations and tell people
that it's not the way it looks like on CSI.
It's starting to be the way it looks like on CSI,
and that's really really changing the game for law enforcement.
Speaker 4 (38:34):
What about if somebody wanted Warne for their home, you.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
Can integrate cameras at your home. There are certain ones
that Ring Doorbell is a private third party, we can't
have access to it at all, but there are ones
that you can purchase, like at Sam's Club or online
that are true open I don't know. I'm not a
technological person, but they are open camera systems where if
you wanted to purchase a FEWS to score, you could.
(38:59):
We don't really, it's not that we don't recommend it
by all means. If you want it, absolutely if you
live in an area that you maybe face a busy intersection,
it could be helpful. But the chances of something happening
in real time situation in your camera being integrated are
really slim. But again, you know, we won't turn down
anyone who wants to do it. We will have the
(39:22):
access if something ever happens. But it's just important that
literally anyone and everyone has cameras whatever they are, whether
it's the ring doorbell or something else.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Again, it's what we talked about earlier in that while
the bumm Up Police Department's doing a fantastic job of
chasing all these things down, it really involves each of us,
you know, in some way, being able to participate whenever
there's something going on, whether it is when we see
it personally and we can report it and be extra
(39:53):
eyes and ears, or if it's through our camera systems
where we can allow you guys to have access to
look at that. And so all of that information. Repeat
that website again so that they can make sure if
someone has any questions there, they can get on that
website and get some of those answers correctly.
Speaker 3 (40:09):
So it's connect Beaumont, TX dot org, and the website
will kind of explain it's the FUSIS system is what
it is, but it's integrated into our real time Crime center.
The Real Time Crime Center is the big picture. It's
what brings all of the different systems together, and FUSUS
is just one part of that. And so again if
(40:29):
anyone is interested and they want to learn more, they
can reach out to me on Facebook and we'll get
them set up. And if they want to come toward
the Real Time Crime Center or they want an officer
to come out to their business and take a look
at it, we do. We actually, as part of our
community relations, we will do what we call side assessments.
We'll go out to a business and look and say, hey,
(40:50):
this is where you could have some problems. We recommend
you install cameras here, install whatever the case may be
that they may need to help keep them safe. But yeah,
it's a community effort. The campaigns something say something is
kind of our mantra. We really can't do it alone.
We need everyone's help, right.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
I really love that it is almost immediately that that
Real Time Crime Center started and you started seeing effects
of being able to utilize that system. I mean immediately, yeah.
Speaker 4 (41:18):
Yeah, even at the very beginning when the capabilities were limited,
it was paying for itself so to speak. Yeah, with
case closures and whatnot. So it's an amazing tool that
we have. I'm a guy who's kind of a dinosaur
in this business. I've been around a long time, and
you know, just to and the officers can pull the
stuff up in their cars too, right, and their cell phones,
(41:40):
so their city cell phones, the NDCs in their car. Dan,
if your burglar arms going off your business and your
camera's integrated, I can pop it right up and look
at that camera live, you know, to see Okay, I
can see a broken door there, or a broken window
or so somebody's coming out or whatever.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
It's just amazing technology. It is wonderful. Well, you guys
have been so helpful for us to help to keep
us safe this holiday season, but not just the holiday season.
These are practices year round, year round, and this real
time crime center is an effective way for all of
us to continue to be safe in our area. So,
Matt and Haley Morrow, thank you so much for being
(42:19):
here today. I really appreciate the opportunity to share with
you guys, and you share with our community all the
things that we need to know. Also, I just want
to say thank you so much for sharing all of
the things that are going on at the Beaumont CBB. So,
Sadie give us those websites and that Facebook page where
they can go and find out that information.
Speaker 2 (42:41):
Yes, visit Beaumont, TX dot com as the Beaumont CVB's
website and then follow us on Facebook, Instagram, visit Beaumont, TX.
Speaker 1 (42:51):
Well, it's been a great show. Thank you guys for
joining us today. I hope you are enjoying this holiday
season and that you have so much to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for each one of you and want to
say Happy Thanksgiving. Have a great week.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!