Programs
Changing Our Communities Through Crime Prevention
Volume 30, Number 1 - January 2009
As of the December issue, NCPC will be suspending the publication of Catalyst. For up-to-date information on crime prevention, please log on to www.ncpc.org.
Editor: Martin W.G. King
In This Issue
Editorial
Drawing On Our Strength in Troubled Times
By Alfonso E. Lenhardt
The new year ushers in the challenge to tackle new issues, the opportunity to address existing ones with renewed creativity and commitment, and the chance to rededicate ourselves and our resources to our mission in different and exciting ways.
Our Top Stories
A Special Message About Bullying and Cyberbullying
NCPC needs your support to put an end to two of the most destructive issues our kids have to face—bullying and cyberbullying.
“Scareware” Offers, Then Steals, Peace of Mind—and Victims’ Money
By Martin W.G. King, NCPC Staff
Scareware software tricks consumers into buying bogus security software and steals what they may want most—a safe and secure Internet experience.
‘Vishing’: A New Twist on Identity Theft Threatens Consumers
By Martin W.G. King, NCPC Staff
Criminal hackers are exploiting a software glitch to launch thousands of simultaneous telephone calls aimed at tricking targets out of their personal information.
News Notes
Are Violent Video Games the "Smoking Gun" Behind Youth Violence?
As the special effects in video games have become increasingly lifelike, the content has become increasingly violent.
McGruff Corner
Santa and McGruff Team Up To Help Kids
On December 12, 2008, McGruff spent the day with the students of Birney Elementary School in Southeast Washington, DC, for a holiday party sponsored by the U.S. Capitol Police. Each year the Capitol Police do something special for the school. This year, the police force sponsored holiday gifts, breakfast, lunch, and entertainment for students who had high attendance and met their grade requirements. Each student received crime prevention information, a picture with Santa and McGruff, McGruff coloring pages, a Winners Don’t Use Drugs comic book, and Internet Safety Trading Cards from NCPC. The Capitol Police provided a visit from Santa, a Christmas tree, pizza, cupcakes, cookies, and gifts for the children. The students were happy to meet some important characters in their lives, McGruff the Crime Dog and Santa, and to get some great safety and crime prevention information so they could enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.—Jeff Broderson, NCPC Staff
Resources Worth Noting
Every month, we assemble announcements of exciting publications, events, and more.
Reproduction of articles for nonprofit use is granted by the National Crime Prevention Council.
This publication was made possible through Cooperative Funding Agreement No. 2008-DD-BX-0687 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Opinions are those of NCPC or cited sources and do not necessarily reflect U.S. Department of Justice policy or positions. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime.
The National Crime Prevention Council is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Contributions are welcomed and are tax deductible.
Copyright © 2009 National Crime Prevention Council. All rights reserved. McGruff the Crime Dog® and "Take A Bite Out Of Crime®" are registered marks of the National Crime Prevention Council.
