McIngvale on new Crime Stoppers initiative: 'Houston put a man on the moon – Why can’t we stop crime?'

Crime Stoppers of Houston introduced a new tool Wednesday to assist with public safety efforts with the help of famed Houston business owner Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, according to a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC. 

KPRC reported that McIngvale, the proprietor of Gallery Furniture, and area leaders participated in a press conference held by Crime Stoppers to talk about the launch of the “Houston Crime Index” from its Glenda Gordy Research Center.

According to the report, the Houston Crime Index will give extra support to law enforcement.

The research center itself was established to simplify crime-related figures, KPRC reported.

It'll utilize the index to monitor crime trends and associated data to get an idea on how communities across the Houston area are being impacted, per the station.

KPRC reported that McIngvale, whose commercials are a staple on local television, devoted 25% of his advertising budget to Crime Stoppers ads.

“Houston put a man on the moon – Why can’t we stop crime?” the 71-year-old furniture magnate said, according to the station.

McIngvale endorsed Republican Harris County Judge hopeful Alexandra del Moral Mealer earlier this year.

The Houston area, especially the city proper, has grappled with an increase in violent crimes in the last two years.

Houston Daily reported that Houston experienced a short-lived decrease in its homicide rate from late May to early June.

According to the publication, Mayor Sylvester Turner attributed the small decline to his new One Safe Houston program but acknowledged an increase wouldn't be an anomaly.