The Harris County Sheriff's Office and CITGO Join Forces to Promote Safety Across Houston

HOUSTON, Aug. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) launched the iWATCH mobile application to promote safety across the metropolitan Houston area. The iWATCH app is the first of its kind and fosters community awareness about unsafe situations by allowing citizens to report crimes and suspicious activities across Harris County from almost any mobile phone or PC. CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Houston have already begun posting flyers in storefront windows to promote the use of the app to expand their ongoing efforts in keeping the community safe.

"We were really excited to learn about iWATCH and promote the use of the tool to our local community members," said Larry Womack, president of Star Fuels, Inc., a CITGO Marketer based in Houston. "This app is so important for the Houston community and the initiative will provide our customers with a higher sense of security in the areas where they work, live and play. iWATCH is a wonderful opportunity to get all community members involved in keeping Houston safe."

iWATCH is a mobile crime watch tool that allows users to report suspicious person or criminal activity in real-time. The app enables citizens to turn in tips, images and videos directly to law enforcement from almost any mobile phone or PC. iWATCH already has more than 10 million crime stats available and new crimes are displayed within minutes. The tool is proactive, hands-on and enables users to become more aware of their surroundings by providing them with access to data outlining criminal activity in the area.

"Our top priority is maintaining safe communities and CITGO has always been a strong partner in achieving these goals," said Harris County Deputy Willie Drew. "We really wanted to develop an app with which our users can be proactive and aware of their safety and surroundings. The safety of our community members is our top priority and we encourage everyone to join in the efforts to keep Harris County safe by downloading iWATCH."

"CITGO is proud to support the iWATCH initiative," added Rafael Gomez, vice president of government and public affairs for CITGO Petroleum Corporation. "Keeping our neighborhoods safe is a team effort. We are honored to work with the Sheriff's office, the independent CITGO Marketers and Retailers and Houston residents to implement a system that will benefit everyone in the area. We hope that the launch of this mobile app will lead to a safer Houston and more connections among public and private citizens."

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter, and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information visit www.CITGO.com.

iWatchHarrisCounty is the HCSO's free mobile phone app that allows the public to report suspicious persons and/or activity anonymously, anywhere, any time. For more information and to download iWATCH please visit www.iWatchHarrisCounty.com.  

SOURCE CITGO

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