Crime Prevention 101

Sad but true: two-thirds of ex-offenders relapse into crime after they’re released from prison. Against heavy odds, however, some DO turn their lives around and tonight Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone will be speaking with some former bad guys who are not only law-abiding citizens now but are inspiring other ex-cons to do the same. You’ll meet Larry Lawton, who, after spending 11 years in some of the country’s toughest federal prisons, founded The Reality Check Program for at-risk kids that shows them what prison life is really like—and affected thousands of troubled lives so far. Former drug abuser/dealer Randy Kearse, now the author of five motivational books based on his personal experiences, inspires other ex cons who are trying to go straight and transition back into society. And, Defy Ventures, founded by former Wall Street financial analyst Catherine Rohr, helps ex-cons with an entrepreneurial bent go into business for themselves. Be inspired.

Sad but true: two-thirds of ex-offenders relapse into crime after they’re released from prison. Against heavy odds, however, some DO turn their lives around and tonight Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone will be speaking with some former bad guys who are not only law-abiding citizens now but are inspiring other ex-cons to do the same. You’ll meet Larry Lawton, who, after spending 11 years in some of the country’s toughest federal prisons, founded The Reality Check Program for at-risk kids that shows them what prison life is really like—and affected thousands of troubled lives so far. Former drug abuser/dealer Randy Kearse, now the author of five motivational books based on his personal experiences, inspires other ex cons who are trying to go straight and transition back into society. And, Defy Ventures, founded by former Wall Street financial analyst Catherine Rohr, helps ex-cons with an entrepreneurial bent go into business for themselves. Be inspired.

For an optimistic perspective on a sober subject, this week Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone speaks with two very courageous young women, who've been the victims of terrible crimes--the kind that are the stuff of nightmares. But, they’ve survived and thrived and are now helping other victims do the same. Fifteen year old Jamie Isaacs endured years of bullying, starting at age 7, by more than 22 kids in her school. Today, she heads the Jamie Isaacs Foundation for Anti-Bullying that has already saved the lives of 8 teens. Ten years ago, Alicia Kozakiewicz, then 13, became the victim of an Internet luring by a 38 year old man who imprisoned, raped and tortured her. Today, she’s a nationally-known crusader against child trafficking and pornography and started The Alicia Project to advocate for changes in the law. Spend some time with us and be inspired.

What do Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton, Tiger Woods, Ted Turner and even Franklin Delano Roosevelt have in common? All these famous people (and many, many more) have had their identity stolen or been victims of credit card fraud. Identity theft is a huge and growing problem and since November is the start of the holiday shopping season, beginning with Black Friday and then Cyber Monday, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone speaks with Paige Pederson from LifeLock, the identity theft prevention company, discussing what you can do to protect yourself from this scourge and what to do if you've been victimized. Then, after you learn how to shop safely, she visits with Kevin Burton Smith from The Thrilling Detective website where you can shop for that person in your life who likes to read (and watch) good crime fiction. But wait, there's more: Be sure to stick around for her safety tips for shopping in malls with young children; and she's got some great gift suggestions.

Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky has been accused of abusing eight (so far) young boys, resulting in scandalous allegations, charges of a coverup, the firing of legendary coach Joe Paterno and Penn State President Graham Spanier and violent protests by some Penn State students. Crime Prevention Susan Bartelstone speak with Jennifer Storm …. from the Pennsylvania Victim/Witness Assistance Program, fresh off an appearance on ABC Nightly News with Diane Sawyer, who was the first person to call for the resignation of Joe Paterno and Penn State President Graham Spanier. Then Irene van der Zande from the world-wide self defense organization Kidpower stops by to talk about three strategies for protecting kids from Sexual Predators. And, start making out your holiday shopping list, because Susan’s got lots of suggestions for personal safety products that will help keep your loved ones safe and some shopping safety tips too.

In Nov, 1971, a skyjacker and extortionist who became known as D. B. Cooper parachuted out of a Northwest airlines flight somewhere near Ariel, WA with over $200,000 of the airline's money and was never seen again—dead or alive. This case has intrigued law enforcement and amateur sleuths alike for more than 40 years, and tonight, Crime Prevention Susan Bartelstone speaks with journalist Geoffrey Gray, author of Skyjack: The Hunt for D. B. Cooper, who was the first person to have access to confidential FBI case files on this most enduring of cold cases. Also on the show, Tracy Hobson, from the Center for Anti-Violence Education, talking about what communities can do to keep people safe in this age of police cuts and tight budgets. Lots of personal safety products for your holiday shopping list too.

Domestic violence occurs in all cultures and socioeconomic levels, but Latino victims (overwhelmingly women) appear to be younger, poorer and less educated than other groups and many are undocumented immigrants. Formidable barriers exist that may discourage these women from seeking help despite severe abuse. Tonight Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone speaks with Cecilia Gastón from the Violence Intervention Project about what’s being done in NYC to address these challenges and this program is a model for what can be done in other communities. Then Susan speaks with Irene van der Zande from the Kidpower self defense organization for some great bullying prevention tips for parents and kids. Want to know where you might buy a $2,700 ruby ring for only $150 or a $700 electric guitar for $60 and it’s all legal? Susan tells you about PropertyRoom.com, a cool online auction site where you can get amazing deals on stolen, seized or forfeited property recovered by the police.

With an estimated 4 million victims a year, It's a good bet that domestic violence will touch the life of every single American at some point and, with October being National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it's time to recommit to ending violence within our homes, our communities and our country. Tonight, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone speaks with Angela Watson from Empire Cosmetology Schools, which supports CUT IT OUT, a program that teaches hair salon professionals to recognize signs of domestic abuse in their clients. She's also speaking with Dr. Harrison Putman, Chairman of Face To Face, the humanitarian arm of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery which, in partnership with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, offers free reconstructive surgery to individuals who have been maimed by domestic violence. And, Identity Theft expert Paige Hanson from LifeLock drops by to talk about National Cyber Security Month.

Sherlock Holmes was using forensic science before we even HAD the word forensic. From Baskerville Hall to the Valley of Fear, this week, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone explores the real forensics behind the fictional detective’s greatest cases with E. J. Wagner, Edgar-winning author of The Science of Sherlock Holmes, whose book uses Holmes's techniques, including his use of fingerprints, early photography, trace evidence, autopsies and even zoology, as a jumping-off point to discuss the growth of forensic science during the 19th and early 20th century. And, if you're fascinated by TV shows like CSI and would like to explore your inner detective, she'll also be talking with the folks from the Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington, D.C., about their CSI Boot Camps where participants learn to how CSI experts process a crime scene by working hands-on to gather evidence. Got lots of tips and resources for you too.

If you’re the parent of a college kid you know that once summer ends, school starts again. But you may not know that September is Campus Safety Awareness Month. Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone thinks every month should be because the statistics on campus violence, and sexual assault particularly, are pretty alarming. So this week, she aims to raise awareness about campus safety issues and give suggestions about what can be done to make college campuses safer. She’s speaking with Campus Security Magazine about issues that campuses need to address. Then she speaks with Security on Campus (founded by Howard and Constance Clery after their daughter Jeanne was murdered on campus) about the very important Clery Act. Then MyForce joins her to talk about a great personal safety service that you get via your smart phone. Lots of tips and resources for you too.

After 8-year-old Lieby Kletzy was murdered and 20 years after the infamous Crown Heights riots, Brooklyn, NY has stepped up to create safe havens for kids and keep peace in the community between Hasidic Jews and African Americans. This week, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone talks with Brooklyn DA Joe Hynes about the extraordinary efforts this borough has taken to protect its citizens –- steps other communities can learn from. Then Susan speaks with Pastor Joe D’Agostino, former drug abuser, dealer and member of the Cosa Nostra about how he turned his life around and has been operating a prison ministry that counts David Berkowitz, the infamous Son of Sam, among its numbers. And, author David Farquar also stops by to take us on a realistic and gritty tour of the underbelly of police and detective work from his crime thriller Blood Over the Badge, which has been optioned for a movie.

The only thing new about sexting is the word and the medium because people have been sending naked images of themselves to others in various ways for decades. Remember Polaroid instant cameras and photocopied butt cheeks! Usually it's teens and young adults who do it, but when Congressman Anthony Weiner's political career petered out because he tweeted pictures of his wiener to a young constituent, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone just had to know the reason. So, tonight Susan speaks with eminent psychiatrist Charles Sophy about why politicians and powerful people risk it all to bare it all and he's got tips for parents to help them monitor their kids' cell phone and computer behavior. Then, continuing with her summer reading series Susan's got multi-award winning crime novelist David Corbett to talk about books and neighborhood watch programs; and Todd Morris, from Brickhouse Security, has some great personal safety products to help keep your kids and your home safe.

Lieby Kletzky, a trusting eight-year old, walking home from summer camp for the first time, was abducted and murdered despite living in a tight knit NYC Orthodox Jewish community that's generally regarded as extremely safe. People around the world are shocked and grieving, and tonight, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone talks with Rabbi Yanky Meyer, of the NYPD's Clergy Liaison Unit, about how thousands mobilized to find the missing child and what you can do to mobilize YOUR community should a child go missing. Then Susan speaks with Dr. Norman Blumenthal, the Bereavement Director for Chai Lifeline, who'll talk about how parents should tell their children about tragedies like this one, what they can say and how to say it. Last up, Irene van der Zande, from the Kidpower self defense organization, gives us important tips on how to prepare a youngster to be independent, unafraid and able to defend themselves from predators. Got child safety products for you too.

Well, according to the FBI, while you're at the beach or on vacation someone might very well be sizing up your home for a burglary. Since July and August particularly are the months when the most burglaries and property crimes take place, this week, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone talks about home safety, alarm systems and gives great tips such as the five best places to hide valuables that most burglars never think of and inexpensive psyche-out strategies that make burglars pause. We'll also take another dip in the literary pool with Ty Treadwell and Michelle Vernon whose fascination with the culinary cravings of condemned prisoners led to a delicious book on last suppers; and Ron Chepesiuk tells us all about Sgt. Smack and some of his other memorable characters. It'd be a crime not to listen!

It's summer in the City -- perfect weather for lounging on the beach with something great to read. This week, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone gets ready for some down time but still doesn't know what books to take with her. So, she's invited some of her favorite authors to come on the show and maybe they can help us all put our summer reading list together. First up, we've got former Mafioso Lou Ferrante who writes about the Life and Crimes of a Mafia Insider. Then, the devilish Burl Barer discusses The Saint and other assorted murders and mayhems he's written about during his long, Edgar Award-winning career. And, the prolific Dianne Fanning talks about Mommy's Little Girl, her take on the Caylee Anthony case, and tells us what her fictional detective Lucinda Pierce is up to these days. It's hot outside, so let's take a refreshing dip in the LITERARY pool tonight.

The crime news is hotter than the temperature in NYC these days and rumors are flying like kites in the breeze, so tonight, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone talks with TV commentator and defense attorney extraordinaire David McGruder about the controversial decision in the so-called “Cop Rape Case” where two police officers were acquitted of raping a young fashion executive despite being convicted of offenses that resulted in their being kicked off the police force. Then she’s talking about the sexual assault case involving the powerful and influential former head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Klein, who’s accused of sexually assaulting a housekeeper at a very posh NYC hotel. Will this be a case of ATM (amnesia-through-money)? Lots of twists and turns here! Susan will also be speaking with the Prison Book Program which is really making a difference in the prison system. Such a great idea. Wait til you hear about this and how you can help.

The US Senate Special Committee on Aging recently held hearings on elder abuse. One 90-year old man testified that his step-son withheld food and medicine from him and his wife and so terrorized them that they were virtually prisoners in their own home. Shockingly, the man testifying was well known actor Mickey Rooney, and experts estimate that 2.1 million older Americans are victims of abuse and neglect every year--the majority of them mentally impaired and unable to speak up for themselves. Tonight, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone talks with the National Center on Elder Abuse about this scourge and what can be done about it. Then she chats with Identity Theft Prevention Specialist Paige Hanson, from LifeLock, about the SONY Playstation hackings and Internet Safety Month. And, former sex crimes prosecutor and TV crime analyst Robin Sax drops by to speak about a child abuse case in FL she's involved in where everyone seems to have dropped the ball.

Jennifer Kesse was a beautiful, vibrant, 24-year-old woman when she vanished from her Orlando home on January 24, 2006. Despite numerous searches and years of police work, no arrests have been made and Jennifer has never been found. Since May 25th is National Missing Childrens' Day, Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone takes a look at this topic, speaking with Drew Kesse, father of Jennifer, who's never stopped searching. She'll also be talking about a controversial proposal by a group that claims you can infallibly locate missing people using satellite technology that would watch us 24/7. Hmmm! And, Bonnie Kernene, from the informative Bonnie's Blog of Crime, is back with us to talk about some of the missing children she's been blogging about. Cool personal safety product to tell you about too - a robot security guard. It'd be a crime not to listen.

In 2008, 47-year old Agnes Bermudez was accused of dousing her 32-year-old ex-boyfriend, William Salazar, with flammable liquid in a jealous rage and setting him--and the building--on fire. Three other tenants also died; and Bermudez, a beautiful woman, suffered disfiguring burns to her face and upper body. She claimed self defense and Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone ALMOST served on the jury that eventually acquitted her. Tonight Susan speaks with attorney David McGruder who won that acquittal despite overwhelming negative publicity from the media and a deathbed declaration by the victim about Bermudez's guilt. We're also speaking about lie detectors and how reliable they are in determining innocence or guilt with polygraph experts John Fitzgerald and Karen Colonnello; and we'll talk about National Police Week and how to commemorate the brave officers killed in the line of duty. Also got the PortaPocket for you. No more hiding money in your socks!

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Safe Kids Week comes at the end of the month, so this week Crime Prevention Specialist Susan Bartelstone speaks with Child Abuse Education Advocate Erin Merryn, author of Stolen Innocence, who survived terrible childhood sexual abuse but has gone on to thrive and inspire others. She's going to tell us about Erin's Law, which she's trying to get passed in IL--and then nationally--so young children will get the kind of information they need to protect themselves from sexual predators while in school. Also with us is Jill Starishevsky, Assistant DA from the Bronx, NY and author of My Body Belongs to Me, who's helping Erin in her efforts and trying to get a similar law passed in NY. And, we'll try to help Anita Shell, from Crime Stoppers of Anchorage, Alaska, catch a criminal. Brrr!