On March 19, 2025, an ASEZ Crime Reduction Forum was held at Texas State University.
The event began with an introduction to ASEZ and continued with the members’ performance titled “Right Now, Right Here.” The audience responded with enthusiastic applause to the moving and emotional performance.
ASEZ member Grant Dillon, a student at Texas State University, said, “Safety can be achieved through environmental design. This includes everything from collaborative efforts to reduce climate change to activities like removing graffiti, trash, and broken windows. For example, reducing graffiti leads to a drop in crime rates.” He further explained ASEZ’s initiatives and added:
“Cooperation is not only essential for reducing crime but also for resolving all other social issues that exist in our communities. It is one of the most crucial elements required.”
Distinguished guests at the forum included a lieutenant from the Texas State University Police Department, Mayor Jane Hughson of San Marcos, and Judge William Cruz Shaw of the Bexar County Juvenile Court, who also served as a keynote speaker.
Judge Shaw emphasized that the root causes of crime often stem from another type of “environment.” It’s family, friends, peer groups—it’s all of us who make up our communities,” he said. “Law enforcement alone is not enough. Prosecutors and judges cannot do it by themselves. Ultimately, it takes community-driven movements led by residents themselves.
ASEZ views cooperation as a key to not only reducing crime but also addressing broader social issues, and this aligns with Judge Shaw’s belief in breaking negative cycles together through collaboration.
ASEZ member Zikora Nwobodo, a student at Texas State University, shared, “This event reminded us of how we, as students, can take the lead in making the world a better place. I believe that change starts with us—the young adult of the 21st century. I want to be a good example to everyone I meet.”
ASEZ member Preace Matthis, a student at Texas State University, stated, “Even if what we do here seems small, it can undoubtedly have a big impact in the future.”
Several key figures at the event pledged their support for ASEZ’s crime reduction efforts to create safe society by signing in support of ASEZ. They included: Jane Hughson, Mayor of San Marcos; Sergeant Duwayne Poorboy; Michelle Cohen, Hays County Commissioner; Will Holder, Professor at Texas State University; Lieutenant Susan Taylor at Texas State University Police Department.
