The Safer Communities Podcast highlights ways in which we can have safer, healthier communities through drug and violence prevention. We want to promote healthy communities through interviews with individuals making a positive impact locally and nationally. The Safer Communities Podcast is free and can be heard on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at the links below.
Host: Nicholas DeMauro Jr.
Executive Producer: Allison Eckel
Subscribe to the series below:
Episode 1 – Captain James Teehan, Paramus PD
Capt. Teehan has taught the L.E.A.D. drug and violence prevention program to students in Paramus, N.J. for nearly a decade and has earned awards along the way. In this episode, the Captain talks about how he has expanded his impact with students by planning events beyond the classroom.
For more information about Capt. Teehan, read this article about his promotion to Captain in 2023: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/paramus/sections/police-and-fire/articles/james-teehan-promoted-to-paramus-police-captain
For more information about National Night Out, visit their website here: https://natw.org/
Episode 2 – Dr. Beth J. Sanborn
Dr. Sanborn discusses her webinar Hidden, High, and Hammered, and how it relates to Halloween. Dr. Sanborn also expounds on how to approach having difficult conversations with youth about drug use without alienating them.
Dr. Beth J Sanborn is the School Safety Coordinator for Montgomery County (PA). Prior to that she joined the Lower Gwynedd Police force in 1997 and served as a Patrol Officer. In 2015, she served as her department’s first School Resource Officer (SRO) and assumed responsibility for all juvenile cases, earning her the rank of Juvenile Detective until August 2022. She proudly retired from policing in September 2023 when she assumed the role as School Safety Coordinator. She also serves as a Co-Chair with the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth Citizens Advisory Committee; and volunteers for Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center. She was a keynote speaker at L.E.A.D.’s National Training Conference in 2025.
For more information about Dr. Sanborn, including her webinar and publications, please visit bethjsanborn.com
Dr. Sanborn’s TedX talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_njfZA1SbI&t=3s
Episode 3 – Dr. Donnette P. Green
Dr. Green is CEO and founder of Distinctly Guided, where she provides coaching, consulting, and strategic guidance focused on emotional intelligence and restorative practices. With over two decades of experience in child welfare, Dr. Green has championed at-risk youth and families, becoming a crucial connector between communities and essential services. She holds a PhD in Law and Public Policy, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Dr. Green serves as a professor at several universities, teaching Social Work & Child Advocacy, Forensic Psychology, and Cultural Competence. She’s delivered training for law enforcement, educators, social workers, corporations, and community leaders across the country and internationally throughout the African diaspora. Her leadership focuses on bridging communication gaps through restorative practices rooted in emotional intelligence. Dr. Green believes that when individuals understand their emotional dynamics, it enhances behavior improvement, relationship restoration, and effective leadership, which is precisely what we need as we head into the holiday season and continue our work in community prevention.
Follow and get in touch with Dr. Green!
Instagram: @distinctly_guided
Website: distinctlyguided.com
Email: drgreen@distinctlyguided.com
Episode 4 – Lieutenant Jeff Palladino, Mount Laurel PD
Join host Nicholas DeMauro Jr on the scene in Mount Laurel at their community help event. Nicholas interviews Lt. Palladino on the role the Mount Laurel PD takes in prevention initiatives, connecting people to governmental and nonprofit services and resources, and more.
Among the resources and organizations mentioned in this episode is The Beloved Project, based in New Jersey.