Latest news with #PaulDelPonte
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
National Crime Prevention Council Urges McDonald's to End Snapchat Partnership Over Child Safety Concerns
Washington, D.C., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is calling on McDonald's to immediately end a newly created promotional partnership with a dangerous social media platform. Snapchat, and its parent company Snap, Inc., are under federal and state investigation for their role in facilitating the sale of deadly drugs, including fentanyl. In a letter to McDonald's CEO, the nation's leading crime watchdog pointed to Snapchat's inherent design features that make it a preferred platform for drug dealers and predators. 'Snapchat is the platform of choice for drug dealers, and it is unsafe for users of any age,' said NCPC Executive Director Paul DelPonte. 'McDonald's should not be promoting a service that endangers the very children it has long supported through Ronald McDonald House Charities and community safety events.' As part of the partnership, McDonald's is offering one month of free access to Snapchat+, the platform's supposed premium version. The plus version includes even more dangerous features, such as enhanced location tracking and expanded messaging capabilities, tools that NCPC says make it easier for predators and criminals to access partnership contradicts McDonald's decades-long commitment to protecting children and fostering safe communities and aligns it with a platform under federal scrutiny for contributing to the fentanyl crisis and child exploitation. McDonald's franchises have a long history of including the organization's well-known mascot, McGruff the Crime Dog®, at events such as National Night Out and Halloween safety programs 'This is not about cancel culture,' the letter states. 'This is about public safety, corporate responsibility, and protecting children.' NCPC is urging McDonald's to immediately reconsider the partnership and expressed willingness to work with the company to identify safer, more responsible ways to support children and families. CONTACT: Tatiana Peralta National Crime Prevention Council 202-919-5544 tperalta@ in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Federal Funding Soft On Crime
Washington, D.C., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This statement can be attributed to Paul DelPonte, Executive Director at the National Crime Prevention Council 'In terms of keeping America safe, this Continuing Resolution fails to Take A Bite Out Of Crime®. Gutting important programs that provide assistance to law enforcement in supporting the communities they serve and protect is not the right step. It slashes funding for rape kits in hospitals and community support programs that keep kids off the street at night. Additionally, it allocates $0 for public education on the dangers of fentanyl. Even within this current year, both the administration and Congress can take steps to fill in these holes.'
