Crime doesn’t look the way it did 20 years ago.
In this conversation, National Crime Prevention Council President Paul DelPonte joins Matt Waters to unpack how crime has evolved from the streets to the digital world—and why parents, schools, law enforcement, and technology companies are struggling to keep up.
From fentanyl-laced fake pills and Snapchat drug markets to AI-generated scams and online predators, this episode explores the uncomfortable reality that most modern crime now begins online.
Paul also shares how McGruff the Crime Dog became one of the most recognized public safety campaigns in America, why common-sense prevention still matters, and what families can do right now to protect themselves and their children.
Key Discussion Points
00:00 – Introduction to the National Crime Prevention Council
01:45 – The origin and impact of McGruff the Crime Dog
03:10 – How crime evolved in the internet era
04:35 – Cyberbullying and the early online dangers for kids
05:40 – Snapchat, fake pills, and fentanyl trafficking
08:20 – Why fentanyl is killing teenagers across America
09:15 – Resources available for parents and schools
10:45 – “Just Say No” and what actually worked in drug prevention
13:45 – The three ingredients needed for crime
15:45 – How criminals exploit opportunity
18:45 – Everyday safety habits that prevent crime
20:45 – The “broken windows” theory explained
22:45 – Why schools are designed like prisons
24:15 – Building safer schools with better technology
26:10 – Teachers, guns, and school resource officers
29:00 – Responsible gun ownership and firearm safety
32:15 – How McGruff works with local police departments
34:00 – The LIES Project and fentanyl remembrance stories
40:00 – Why adults are also vulnerable online
41:00 – Parenting in the smartphone era
43:30 – State lawsuits against social media companies
44:30 – Why the internet still lacks “seatbelts and airbags”
47:00 – AI, fraud, and the future of online crime
51:00 – Why online crime now surpasses physical crime
53:00 – The emotional toll on law enforcement officers
57:00 – Final thoughts and how to support NCPC
Crime prevention today isn’t just about policing—it’s about awareness, education, and staying ahead of technology before criminals do.
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