Texas Best Awards
The Texas' Best Awards recognize exceptional Crime Stoppers programs from across the state that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, and impact in their communities. Awards are divided into three distinct categories: Productivity & Community Impact, Individual Excellence, and Media & Outreach.
Award Categories:
1. Productivity & Community Impact
This category evaluates a program's performance based on measurable outcomes. Using verified statistical data, awards are presented to programs that achieve the highest dollar recovery and/or most cases cleared within their respective population category.
2. Individual Excellence Awards
These awards honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their local Crime Stoppers program and have made a significant impact on their community, other Crime Stoppers programs, and the statewide Crime Stoppers mission. One individual is selected per category for their exceptional contributions.
3. Media & Outreach Awards
Recognizing creativity and strategic communication, this category highlights programs that excel in promoting the Crime Stoppers mission through various forms of media—including social media, radio, television, and print. Programs that show innovation, thoughtfulness, and effectiveness in their messaging efforts are honored.
Award Presentation:
Texas' Best Awards are presented during two major annual events:
- Campus Conference: Honoring school-based Crime Stoppers programs.
- Community Conference: Honoring community-based Crime Stoppers programs.
Nomination Guidelines:
Certified Texas Crime Stoppers programs in good standing are encouraged to submit nominations highlighting accomplishments from the previous calendar year (January 1–December 31). Nominations open in conjunction with the corresponding conference registration and must be submitted using the official entry form.
Important Submission Information:
- Each nomination must include all required supporting documents and be submitted via the official entry form.
- Only one entry per form. Each nomination must be submitted on a separate form.
- Be sure to clearly label all supporting documents with your program name and the competition category.
- Productivity awards will be based strictly on verified data already submitted via official statistical reporting; separate submissions for this category are not accepted.
2025 Texas' Best Awards – Now Open!
We are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Texas' Best Awards, which will be presented on October 14, 2025, during the 36th Annual Texas Crime Stoppers Conference in Odessa, Texas.
- Entry Deadline: All nominations must be received by Friday, August 29, 2025, at 5:00 PM (CST).
Texas Crime Stoppers
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
[email protected]
(512) 463-1919
Individual Excellence Awards
Recipients of the awards for Coordinator of the Year and Board Member of the Year are ineligible for five years following their selection. Nominations for these categories must include an entry form, a one- page criteria profile that details the nominee’s service to Crime Stoppers, an endorsement letter from the board chair, and a digital color photograph of the nominee. Limit one entry per category per program.
Richard Carter Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of Texas Crime Stoppers, encompassing teaching, receipt of awards, innovative problem-solving approaches, enduring positive impacts on Texas Crime Stoppers, and the individual's positive influence and inspiration within the local and statewide contexts. Eligible nominees should have over 20 years of distinguished service directly associated with Texas Crime Stoppers, particularly in leadership roles such as board membership or committee chair positions. Additionally, consideration will be given to the nominee's involvement in committees and workgroups, as well as instances where they have officially represented Texas Crime Stoppers as a liaison to other organizations or at the state level.
Estella Quintanilla Campus of the Year Award
The Estella Quintanilla Campus of the Year Award recognizes a Campus Crime Stoppers program that has significantly contributed to the improvement of Texas Crime Stoppers campus initiatives. This encompasses innovative approaches, sustained positive effects, and influence on Texas Crime Stoppers, as well as their respective community and school. Program nominees should have at least 15 years of distinguished service directly associated with Campus Crime Stoppers.
Joe Martino Administrator of the Year Award
The Administrator of the Year award recognizes one individual who exemplifies professional excellence in contributions to his or her local Crime Stoppers program, school, and community.
Coordinator of the Year
Honors a Coordinator for exceptional performance and contributions to their Crime Stoppers organization, makes a positive impact on their community, other Crime Stoppers organizations, and Crime Stoppers in Texas.
Board Member of the Year
Honors a board member demonstrating outstanding service through enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to their local Crime Stoppers organization and has positively impacted their community.
Productivity Awards
The Productivity Awards honor campus programs for the 1) Most Cases Cleared and 2) Greatest Dollar Recovery of narcotics seized and property recovered. Awards will be given based on the size of the student population categories.
PRODUCTIVITY AWARD STUDENT POPULATION CATEGORIES:
| >500 | 501 - 1,500 | 1,501 - 3,000 |
| 3,001 - 5,000 | 5,001 - 6,000 | 6,001 - 8,000 |
| 8,001 - 10,000 | 10,001 - 15,000 | 15,001 - 20,000 |
| 20,001 - 25,000 | 25,001 - 30,000 | 30,001 - 45,000 |
| 45,001+ |
PRODUCTIVITY AWARD POPULATION CATEGORIES:
| >15,000 | 50,001 - 75,000 | 200,001 - 350,000 |
| 15,001 - 25,000 | 75,001 - 100,000 | 350,001 - 500,000 |
| 25,001 - 40,000 | 100,001 - 150,000 | 500,001 - 1,000,000 |
| 40,001 - 50,000 | 150,001 - 200,000 | 1,000,001 + |
Publicity Award Categories
All publicity award nominations must include a completed entry form, 100-word summary describing the entry, a digital copy of the entry (.mp4,.mpg,. mpeg,. mwv, .pdf), and date or dates January 2024 through December 2024 that airing occurred. Limit one entry per category per program.
Best Website
Honors a program with the best website demonstrating a clear purpose for the website, original content, concise, accurate, well written, and up to date.
Creative Publicity
Honors a campus program with the most creative or original way of publicizing Crime Stoppers through means other than television, radio, and newspaper.
Social Media Competition
Honors a program for the best use of social media to promote the Crime Stoppers organization in a creative and informative manner, and as an integral way to enhance community engagement. Social media platforms include but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
Media Award Categories
All media award nominations must include a completed entry form,100-word summary describing the entry, and a digital copy of the submission (.mp4, .mpg,.mpeg,. mwv, .pdf), Eligible efforts must have taken place during the previous calendar year (January 1–December 31), and the entry must include the specific date(s) the content aired within that timeframe. Limit one entry per category per program.
Radio, Television and Newsprint Competition – Featured Crime of the Week
Honors a program with the best radio spot, television segment, or newsprint article for Featured Crime of the Week. The newsprint article may be published online
Radio and Television Competition Special Production/Public Service Announcement
Honors a (campus) program with the best special production/public service announcement (PSA).
General Newsprint Competition
Honors a program with the best printed Crime Stoppers news article. Nominations are judged on quality, conciseness, and originality. The newsprint article may be published online.
Click the link to see some of our Public Service Announcement submissions created by Crime Stoppers organizations across Texas!