Crime Prevention 101

I’ve Been Quoted on Yahoo! 5 Ways to Make Your Home Safer

Susan Bartelstone — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Check it out on Yahoo! http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/5-ways-to-make-your-home-safer.html

*Beware of Dog* You don’t actually have to own a canine to scare a burglar into thinking you do. Post a sign in your yard that says, “Attack Dogs Trained and Sold Here,” says Susan Bartelstone, host of the radio show Crime Prevention 101 in New York City. “Extremely Vicious Doberman” works too, she says. “Then get a recording of a fierce-sounding barking dog and set it on a timer to go off periodically when you aren’t home,” Bartelstone says.

To give a burglar pause, leave a large dog bowl by the front door with the name “Cujo” or “Killer.”

Crime Prevention 101 is on Vacation

Susan Bartelstone — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:02:32 +0000

Starting in January, Crime Prevention 101 (and me!) is going on a much needed vacation for a few months.  As I was reflecting back at the end of the year, I was shocked to realize that it’s been almost four years that I’ve been doing this show!

During that time, the show has grown and developed in ways I could never have anticipated when I started in 2008. I’ve met so many incredible guests (many who’ve become friends), and many others who’ve inspired me and taught me so much about the triumph of the human spirit under the most horrible circumstances imaginable.

WE WON AWARDS in 2011. Crime Prevention 101 was nominated for a US Attorney General’s National Crime Victims’ Service Award from the US Office for Victims of Crime. The show was also given a prestigious Leadership Award for our contribution in educating people about domestic violence by the amazing Violence Intervention Project, the only organization in New York City working with Spanish-speaking and immigrant victims of domestic violence. I’m so proud.

And, on a personal note, I was honored for my work on the Board of Directors of the New York Women’s Agenda at a breakfast attended by 700 people. I was sitting on the dais behind Billie Jean King! How amazing is that!!!

THANK YOU. My greatest honor, however, has been the many emails and posts from my listeners over the years. I can’t possibly express my gratitude for your support over these four years. Know that it’s been my privilege helping you keep yourself safe!

Please continue to post your comments on my Facebook page: Susan Bartelstone or email me: solutions@fightsafe.com. I’ll be checking them regularly and I answer ALL my messages.

My past radio shows are archived on my blog www.crimeprevention101.com. I post tons of safety tips and articles there on all sorts of crime prevention topics, so please use it as a resource.

Thanks also to my wonderful sponsors– MyForce and My Mobile Witness–two fabulous personal safety services for your smartphone. If you don’t know about them, please check them out. It’s been so rewarding working with you guys and I look forward to much more collaboration in 2012.

UNTIL CRIME PREVENTION 101 IS BACK ON THE AIR, STAY TUNED AND STAY SAFE!

Surviving and Thriving – Pt 2: Ex-Cons Give Back!

Susan Bartelstone — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:27:09 +0000

To Listen: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/58882/surviving-and-thriving-pt-2-ex-cons-give-back

Also available on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/crime-prevention-101/id419406006

Sad but true: two-thirds of ex-offenders relapse into crime within three years after they’ve been released from prison. Against heavy odds, however, some DO turn their lives around and this week, I’ll be speaking with some former bad guys who are not only law-abiding citizens but are inspiring other ex-cons to do the same. Spend some time with us and become hopeful.

Larry Lawton, convicted for armed robbery and extortion in 1996, 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. He’s 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 trying to go straight to find their own voice and transition back into society.

And, Ryan Holly from Defy Ventures, the organization founded by former Wall Street venture capitalist Catherine Rohr, stops by. Defy Ventures helps ex-cons with an entrepreneurial bent go into business for themselves. Based on the highly successful Prison Entrepreneurship Program in Texas, where over 600 ex-cons graduated with a recidivism rates of less than 10%. Defy Ventures also teaches good citizenship and family skills, provides business internships and even start-up capital to a lucky few!

Resources:

Larry Lawton: www.realitycheckprogram.org, www.lawton911.com

Ryan Holly & Catherine Rohr: Defy Ventures Entrepreneur Program: http://defyventures.org/

Prison Entrepreneur Project: www.prisonentrepreneurship.org

Randy Kearse: www.randykearse.net

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: The Somaly Nam Foundation: http://www.somaly.org/

ECPAT-USA, organized against sexual exploitation: http://www.ecpatusa.org

Your email:

Surviving and Thriving – Pt 1: Crime Victims Give Back!

Susan Bartelstone — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:25:42 +0000

To Listen: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/58313/surviving-and-thriving-pt-1

Also available on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/crime-prevention-101/id419406006

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 others do the same. Spend some time with us and be inspired!

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 kids.

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.

Also, got travel safety tips for those who are going places and some great holiday gift suggestions with a crime prevention point of view for last minute shoppers.

Safe and Happy Holidays from Crime Prevention 101!

  Missed the Live Show? Listen Now!
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/58313/surviving-and-thriving-pt-1

Also available on iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/crime-prevention-101/id419406006

Resources:

Jamie & Ron Isaacs, Isaacs Foundation for Anti-Bullying: www.jamieisaacsfoundation.org

Alicia Kozakiewicz: www.thealiciaproject.com

MyForce: www.myforce.com

Crime Museum: www.crimemuseum.org

Your email:

Technology as it relates to Domestic Violence

Susan Bartelstone — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:20:04 +0000

I attended a meeting of the New York Women’s Agenda Domestic Violence Committee (which I co-chair) last night and we had a special presentation about how to use social media for job searches for domestic violence survivors. Important stuff. But safety precautions must be taken. Going to post more on this, but take a look at the guidelines below per the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

It is important to remember that computer technology can put your privacy and safety at risk. Computer hard drives are capable of recording every action taken on the computer and Internet, and it is virtually impossible to completely erase these “foot prints”. Even if your abuser is not an expert at computers, he may be able to trace what you have done on the computer or can easily find someone who can. If you think you may be monitored on your home computer, it may be safer for you to stop using that computer. Computers that are located in a public library, community technology center, Internet cafe or at a trusted friend’s house may be safer options if you wish to use e-mail or browse the Internet. Other precautions you can take include the following:
http://www.nyscadv.org/techsafetydv.htm

Susan on WBAI 99.5FM – Financial Literacy for Domestic Violence Survivors

Susan Bartelstone — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:30:55 +0000

Financial Literacy for Domestic Violence Survivors Radio Show
Hosted by Susan Bartelstone, Crime Prevention Specialist
Air Date: March 9, 2012, WBAI 99.5FM, http://wbai.org/
Special Programming for International Working Women’s Day

Listen here

It can be almost impossible to leave an abusive relationship if you’re jobless, skill-less or lacking the economic resources to survive on one income instead of two–leaving you and your children trapped and financially dependent on an abuser.

On March 9, 2012, I hosted a radio show on WBAI 99.5FM in New York City, on Financial Literacy for Domestic Violence Survivors, as part of a full day of special programming to commemorate International Working Women’s Day.

I hosted this program not only because I’m a crime prevention specialist who has dealt with domestic violence issues for more than 18 years, but also in my capacity as co-chair of the Domestic Violence Committee of the New York Women’s Agenda, a consortium of 100 women’s groups dedicated to fighting for women’s rights regarding equal pay, domestic violence and economic empowerment.   Check us out at http://www.NYWA.org.

MY first guest was Denise Allen. Twenty years ago, she was the woman you read about in the newspapers: a wife and mother of two, abused and beaten for 10 years of marriage, who finally kicked out her husband and was left with pretty much nothing; not knowing where her next meal was coming from or how she was going to take care of her family. Today, she’s president of her own company, Allen Tax Services and she’s a Domestic Violence activist who works with organizations servicing survivors, helping them with tax preparation and economic survival strategies.

Next I spoke with Adria Schmidt, who runs the financial literacy courses for the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) in their Casa Sandra housing units and Yvette Perez who supervises was financial literacy courses in their shelter. The Violence Intervention Program is the only program in NYC that services Spanish-speaking and immigrant survivors (documented or undocumented) exclusively.

After the show, as Denise Allen and I were leaving the control booth, someone called in for one of the hotline numbers I gave out during the broadcast. It was an amazing moment for us because we knew someone was listening and taking our message to heart.

NYC Resources:

DENISE ALLEN, ALLEN TAX SERVICES, tax preparation and speaker on economic survival strategies: chevcel@aol.com

NEW YORK WOMEN’S AGENDA FINANCIAL LITERACY GUIDE: free download, updated annually, that lists internet resources, publications and financial literacy courses and programs held in all five boroughs of NYC: http://www.nywa.org

WI$E (WORKING IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION) provides local and national financial literacy education programs to youth and domestic violence victims: 212-421-2700 ♦ www.wise-ny.org

BARRIER FREE LIVING: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE and GENERAL HELPLINE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: 212-677-6668 ♦ www.bflnyc.org

NY ASIAN WOMEN’S CENTER, MULTILINGUAL HOTLINE FOR ASIAN WOMEN: www.nyawc.org ♦ 888-888-7702

VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM, HOTLINE FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING/IMMIGRANTS (documented or undocumented): 800-644-5880 ♦ www.vipmujeres.org

NYC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE, staffed by SAFE HORIZON: 800-621-4673 ♦ www.safehorizon.org

NYC OFFICE OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT provides an extensive array of free or low cost programs to help people obtain financial independence: http://www.nyc.gov/html/ofe/html/home/home.shtml

♦♦♦

National Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD) ♦ http://www.thehotline.org

DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association Rescues Domestic Worker from Modern Slavery

Susan Bartelstone — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:17:20 +0000

In NYC, a local branch of the DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association, formed to help Filipino immigrants, especially domestic workers who are virtually held prisoners in the homes of their employers (particularly diplomats) escape from their servitude.

If you know anyone who needs such help in NYC, contact DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association, 406 West 40th Street, 3rd Floor, New York City, NY 10018, 212-564-6057

National resource: http://damayanmigrants.org/

Human Trafficking Video: This Must Stop!

Susan Bartelstone — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:29:59 +0000

Innocents at Risk helps TSA with new video on human trafficking

Also, listen to the Crime Prevention 101 radio show I did with them

7-Yr old Successfully Resists Abduction!

Susan Bartelstone — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:42:59 +0000

Another example of how training kids to resist abduction proves successful! Go Britteny…

http://bit.ly/ChildResists

Parents: Best program out there is my buddies at Kidpower (www.kidpower.org). Lots of free info on website too.

SPECIAL ENCORE PRESENTATION: SHOPPING SAFETY & THE THRILLING DETECTIVE. Air Date: 11/30/11

Susan Bartelstone — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:03:35 +0000

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) Hanson 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.