Sheila B: I was just wondering how would I know if someone was using my kids social security number? How can I prevent this from happening?

JW: Sheila, it’s hard to believe, but more and more minors are becoming victims of Identity Theft. This is a good scam for fraud artists, because most people aren’t thinking about their kids’ credit until they approach 18. But in many cases kids whose identities are stolen are very young, which means these crimes could go undetected for many years. So, how can you protect your child’s personal information? We found some great tips from researchers at the University of Florida.

Continue reading How Can I Protect My Child From Identity Theft? »

Vickie J: What do I do if I think someone in my apartment building is making meth? I don't want to falsely accuse anyone, but there is often a strong smell of acetone in our hallways.

JW: Vickie, Methamphetamine abuse is a major challenge for the entire country. It’s a very dangerous drug that can be made from common store-purchased chemicals. Aside from the debilitating dangers of using this poison, labs where it can be produced can be set up virtually anywhere—inside of a home, a motel, even inside of a car. This means that the drug suppliers are risking the safety of anyone even remotely near these volatile labs. If you suspect that someone is making meth in your apartment building, that means lives could literally be in danger – including yours – so it’s very important to find out as soon as possible and to help law enforcement stop it immediately.

Continue reading What Can I Do If I Suspect Someone Of Making Methamphetamines? »

Deven M.: Dear Mr.Walsh, I am a 15 year old student in Oklahoma. 6 years ago I was molested by someone twice as old as me. I am an All-American Scholar now, but I don't know if I should report this guy or not. Please help get this predator off the streets, because I know he is probably still harming other kids. Thank you.

JW: Thanks for having the courage to come forward with your story – I know how hard that is. Unless brave crime victims like you are willing to speak out, it’s difficult to get justice. Of course you should go to the police! I know that a lot of young victims of sexual predators fear that they’re to blame for what happened, but always remember this: sexual abuse is NEVER your fault. I know it can be very tough to talk to someone about what happened, and you might be afraid that adults won’t believe you, especially if the abuser is a family member or family friend. But you should always remember that you don’t have to keep this a secret.

Lisa M.: I have been interested in starting a neighborhood watch. There are many around here, but they all stop before reaching our street. I've shared this idea with quite a few people, but they get very upset with me. They think that because I'm a single mom,  if I had neighborhood watch meetings in my apartment, some bad people might come to it and could hurt or steal from me.

JW: Neighborhood Watch groups are one of the most effective ways of fighting crime in your community, but I know that some people can be a little nervous about having meetings in their own homes. However, there are many different places that you can meet if you don’t want to use your home.  Think about contacting a community center, a school, a library, or maybe one of your neighbors who might want to volunteer their home.
Continue reading Is It Safe For Me To Start A Neighborhood Watch In My Community? »