Crime, Law -

400,000 Kids Join Gangs Every Year: How Community-Based Solutions Work and Save Taxpayers $$$

Stephanie Mann was abandoned in Mexico City at age 15 and survived through community connection—now this crime prevention consultant with 40 years of experience knows exactly why gangs flourish. The answer: social isolation and fear, and the result costs taxpayers $100 billion annually.

Drawing from her books “Empowerment Parenting” and “Magical You,” Mann reveals why traditional policing fails and how her low-cost Neighborhood Safety Expert program succeeds. She’ll explain how trained community members who look like and speak the language of residents build trust where police cannot, why drug dealers often control neighborhoods through gifts and favors, and how connected neighbors eliminate the isolation that drives kids to gangs. Visit safekidsnow.com to learn more.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
• You say gangs cost us $100 billion a year—how do community solutions actually save money?
• Why do neighbors protect drug dealers, and how do you break that cycle?
• What’s a Neighborhood Safety Expert, and why can’t police do this work alone?

CONTACT: Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com

Whistleblower Reveals What Happens When Speaking Up Becomes Dangerous

Karen Horwitz, an award-winning public school teacher and whistleblower, describes what happens when educators raise concerns inside their school districts. “Schools are often described as the foundation of democracy,” Horwitz says. “What I witnessed was how quickly that foundation cracks when people are afraid to speak.”

Horwitz says the pattern she documented was consistent: teachers raised concerns internally, and instead of problems being addressed, they quietly lost their careers. After speaking publicly, she co-founded an organization to prevent teacher abuse and began hearing similar accounts from more than 2,000 teachers who reported retaliation.

She explains how silence is enforced through fear, power imbalances, and institutional self-protection. Horwitz is the author of A Graver Danger, which draws directly from teacher whistleblowers to examine systemic failures.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:Why do people stay silent inside institutions? When did you realize your experience wasn’t unique? What impact does silencing teachers have on democracy?

CONTACT: Karen Horwitz at (312) 498-9074 : khorwitz@rtirguests.com

This Engineer Says His Invention Can End School Shooting Deaths

Engineer and inventor Leonard Fonarov believes he has created technology that can finally stop children from being killed in school shootings. A survivor of the World War II siege of Leningrad and a longtime Florida resident, Leonard was moved to act after the tragedy at Parkland, just miles from his home. His patented invention, the Leonardo ISV, is a bulletproof, rapid-response rescue vehicle designed to reach an active shooter inside a school in just 5–9 seconds—a speed that could mean the difference between life and death. Unlike SWAT teams, which can take 20–40 minutes to arrive, the Leonardo ISV is on-site, patrolling hallways, ready to protect children and teachers instantly. He is the author of “I Will Stop School Shooting Forever,” and explains his invention—and why he believes America’s children can finally be safe. Contact Leonard Foranov at llfonarov@rtirguests.com; (754) 289-4905

How to Raise Safe, Street-Smart Kids

More than 1 in 5 high school students in the U.S. report witnessing neighborhood violence—and that’s just what gets reported. With schools, families, and law enforcement stretched thin, Stephanie Mann, a veteran crime prevention specialist, believes the answer lies closer to home. Her Neighborhood Safety approach helps parents, educators, and community leaders raise kids who are not only street-smart, but community-aware. Drawing on her decades of experience (including founding 27 citywide prevention committees), Mann offers practical strategies to teach kids how to recognize danger, resist peer pressure, and build safe, supportive relationships. Her goal: to raise young people who don’t just survive—but help transform their communities. In interviews, she shares how parents can empower kids with common-sense safety habits in an increasingly unpredictable world. Ask her: What are the most common safety mistakes parents make without realizing it? How can kids be taught to prevent violence—not just avoid it? Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com

The Real Cost of Unsafe Neighborhoods

Gangs, child abuse, human trafficking, youth suicide, and drug abuse are not just horrific societal ills, they come at an astonishing cost to the taxpayer: by estimates over $2 trillion annually. The plain fact is that none of this is inevitable, and much of it is preventable. Have author and child safety expert Stephanie Mann on your show to learn about crime prevention and making neighborhoods safer. As a community leader, neighborhood organizer, county coordinator, and state consultant, Mann has forty years of experience as a crime and violence prevention expert. She is the author of five books on empowering our communities and keeping kids safe. Her first book, “Alternative to Fear: Guidelines to Safer Neighborhoods” helped launch the national Neighborhood Watch Program. She is also the founder of the Safe Kids Now Network LLC. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com

Veteran Lawyer: The Myth of Equal Justice

For more than three decades, James Porfido has practiced criminal law from every angle—as a prosecutor and defense attorney. What he’s seen behind the scenes will challenge everything you think you know about justice in America. From disparities in sentencing to the role of wealth, race, and politics in determining outcomes, Porfido argues that the system often fails the very people it claims to protect. His message isn’t partisan—it’s human, and it’s urgent. Drawing from real cases (with identities protected), Porfido brings powerful, clear-eyed insights about how we can repair a system that too often rewards power over fairness. With his calm, credible voice and rare experience on both sides of the aisle, Porfido is the legal expert audiences will trust. Contact James Porfido: (973) 620-2157; jporfido@rtirguests.com

This Psychic Detective Helps Cops Solve Crimes

Nancy Orlen Weber is a true expert in psychic investigations, animal communication and spiritual development. For the past 45 years the author of “The Life of a Psychic Detective” has worked with law enforcement agencies as a psychic detective and has received an honorary Chief of Detectives badge and a Sheriff’s commendation for her work. Invite Nancy on your show to hear about her work with law enforcement and how she helped solve real-life mysteries. A fascinating guest, Nancy will also reveal how listeners can tap into the extraordinary power of their own soul’s guidance to find their inner wisdom and develop deeper connections with people and animals, unlock their life’s purpose, and navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Contact Nancy Orlen Weber at (973) 453-0906; NWeber@rtirguests.com

Legal Analyst Weighs in on Diddy Trial, Celebrity, Money and Justice

When celebrity and money collide with the law, does true justice stand a chance? James Porfido—former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and Court TV analyst—has decades of experience on both sides of the courtroom. He’s provided courtroom analysis and weighed in on high-profile trials from Michael Jackson to Harvey Weinstein, and now he’s watching the federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs unfold with a critical eye. “When justice depends on how much money you have, it stops being justice. It becomes a transaction,” says Porfido. “The Diddy case is just the latest example.” Porfido is the author of “Unequal Justice: The Search for Truth to Balance the Scales,” a searing look at how wealth, politics and power distort outcomes in American courtrooms. Book him to discuss the deeper implications of celebrity trials and what it means for everyday Americans. Contact James Porfido at (973) 620-2157; jporfido@rtirguests.com

How to Protect Yourself from Our Broken Justice System

Many Americans feel our criminal justice system is broken. This veteran attorney agrees and says it’s time to tip the scales back in balance. Invite James Porfido, who served decades as both a state prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, to discuss how the American justice system has become unfair. He’ll share specific cases of unfair prosecution and the damage to the accused and their families. He’ll also discuss systemic changes that could be implemented to help level the playing field and will share what you need to know if you are ever pulled over, arrested or detained by police. Porfido has appeared as a legal analyst on Court TV and CNN. He’s the author of “Unequal Justice: The Search for Truth to Balance the Scales.” Contact him at (973) 620-2157; jporfido@rtirguests.co

Save Kids and Taxpayer Money by Making Neighborhoods Safe

Gangs, child abuse, human trafficking, youth suicide, and drug abuse are not just horrific societal ills, they come at an astonishing cost to the taxpayer: by estimates over $2 trillion annually. The plain fact is that none of this is inevitable, and much of it is preventable. Have child safety expert Stephanie Mann on your show to learn about crime prevention and making neighborhoods safer. As a community leader, neighborhood organizer, county coordinator, and state consultant, Mann has forty years of experience as a crime and violence prevention expert. She is the author of five books on empowering our communities and keeping kids safe. Her first book, “Alternative to Fear: Guidelines to Safer Neighborhoods” helped launch the national Neighborhood Watch Program. She is also the founder of the Safe Kids Now Network LLC. Contact Stephanie Mann at (925) 438-0716; smann@rtirguests.com