Kicking Registered Sex Offenders off Online Dating Sites

bConcerned.com introduces a petition to bring safety to online dating websites.

San Antonio, TX, June 8, 2011 – Searching for love online is simple, convenient and very popular! It’s no wonder why millions of people are searching for romance by joining online dating websites. With a single click you can view photos, hobbies and interests of a potential date. But beware, that nice smile may not be someone you really want to date.  With the recent news of a sexual assault surrounding a popular online dating website, dating safety awareness has been a hot topic. “Love seekers should use caution when searching for their true love online, because you never know who you will attract! Sex offenders are also searching for a lonely desperate heart, not for love, but for their next victim.” states Greg Sanchez, a Police Detective and co-founder of bConcerned.com; a free dating safety tool that confirms your safe return home from after a date.

Although, many believe that the online dating websites should be held responsible for conducting background checks of their members; bConcerned.com feels that the individuals who are deceptively using online dating websites to search for their next victim should be held accountable for their actions. “It’s time to take a proactive approach to bring an element of safety to online dating websites, by making it a criminal offense for a registered sex offender to be a member of an online dating website.” states Marcello Saldana, co-founder of bConcerned.com. Greg and Marcello feel that by introducing a petition to make it a criminal act, to be a registered sex offender and a member of an online dating website, not only brings awareness to dating safety but also creates a safer environment for members of the online dating community.

The petition drive will begin in conjunction with a free Online Dating Safety Seminar being presented by bConcerned.com. This free seminar will focus on the importance of online dating safety, steps to protect yourself on your next date and the benefits of using bConcerned.com. The seminar will be held on June 22, 2011, Wednesday evening at 7pm-10pm at Aldaco’s Stone Oak, 20079 Stone Oak, San Antonio, TX, 78258.

bWater Safe; Pool Tips for Safe Summer Fun

With the hot summer days right around the corner, the swimming pool will be a destination for families to have some fun, relax and enjoy the outdoors. While lasting happy memories are made at the pool, some pain stricken memories are sadly often made pool side! Pool safety is very important; a very scary stat is that about 200 children (under the age of 5) accidentally drown during the summer months.  Swimming pool education and awareness are the best ways to prevent a fun situation from quickly turning into a bad one.
Seeandsave.org offers some great basic water safety tips to follow:
✦ Never leave children alone with water whether it is in a pool, drainage ditch, creek, pond or lake.
✦ Stay with children swimming or playing in water. They need an adult or certified lifeguard to keep a constant watch and be within reach.
✦ Use approved life jackets.
✦ Safeguard swimming pools. Use fences. Install self-closing and latching gates, and water surface alarms.
✦ Be prepared for emergencies. Have a first-aid kit, emergency telephone numbers and learn CPR.
I truly did not know the importance of pool safety, until Pedro Velasquez, who has become a water safety advocate since the accidental drowning of his 2 year old nephew, spoke to me about campaigning to bring awareness to swimming pool safety.  For more information about water safety tips, or for a presentation of pool safety and current laws regarding residential pools, contact Pedro Velasquez at 210-284-6566 or at phv16sa@yahoo.com.

No-Refusal for Fiesta is in full Swing

Fiesta is in full swing and so is “no-refusal” for suspected DWI motorist. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office along with county, city and state law enforcement has declared the 11-day Fiesta Celebration “no-refusal”. Any motorist suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and refuses a breath-alcohol test will be arrested and transported to the Bexar County Magistrate Office. While in detention a blood search warrant will be issued and executed for blood to be drawn. This will determine the blood-alcohol level from a registered nurse administered by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office. With the “no-refusal” system in place this gives the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office critical evidence to secure DWI convections. A driving while intoxicated charge is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine up to $2000.00. To include, there is the cost to employ a defense attorney, which will include attorney’s fees and expenses.  

Here are some safety tips to follow while enjoying your Fiesta Event:

•    Call a taxi cab. All San Antonio cabs services will be fully staffed and will be offering a safety ride up to $20.00.
•  Have a plan to choose a designated driver.
• Call a safe ride program. During the Fiesta season there are numerous safe rider programs designated to serve as your driver
•  Intervene if you know someone that intends to drive while intoxicated, remember the saying, "Always Pass the Keys.”
•  Use bConcerned.com, a website that confirms your safe return home, when going to any event, it’s free and easy to use

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·    Following these simple safety tips, could make this a fun and enjoyable Fiesta 2011. Have fun, stay safe, bconcerned about yourself and use bConcerned.com!

Fiesta! Be Concerned About Your Safety!

Fiesta San Antonio 2011 is finally upon us and it’s time for some good food, good friends and good times! Although the police will be in full force and present at most fiesta events, it is still very important to take an active stance involving your own safety!  According to Fiesta-SA.org, Fiesta brings over 3.5 million people to its events, and with a large number of people out partying and drinking, chances  are that criminals are out to crash your festive spirits!

Here are a few tips to follow while making this an enjoyable Fiesta:

·         Go with a group of friends.

·         Choose a Designated Driver.

·         Do not leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle.

·         Beware of your surroundings while walking to and from your vehicle.

·         Ladies leave large purses at home, instead use a small handheld purse with a wrist strap; men use a money clip instead of a wallet.

·         Use bConcerned.com, a website that confirms your safe return home, when going to an event, it’s free and easy to use!

Following these simple safety tips, could make this a fun and enjoyable Fiesta 2011, más vale prevenir que curar (better safe, than sorry)! Have fun, stay safe and bConcerned!

Mandatory Criminal Back Ground Checks for Online Dating Sites?

Sen. Leticia Van de Puette, of Texas, filed Senate Bill 488 that would require online dating sites to conduct criminal background check of its members or to post a disclosure that the members have not been through a criminal background check. Sounds like a great idea! With over 20 million Americans using online dating sites, there should be some type of safety involved. While hoping for love and clicking on profiles for your future Mr. Right, searching for compatible hobbies and looking for a lasting relationship; do you have time to determine if he is a sexual predator? Like most of us in this fast paced and busy life, we usually don’t have time to search the web to find out if the guy with the charming smile is a pervert, criminal or an all-around nice guy!

So, Sen. Van de Puette S.B. 488 is a no brainer to keep online daters safe. I agree, it’s a good start! Let’s look at some pros of S.B. 488;
• Criminal background checks will keep criminals off online dating sites.
• Members would feel more comfortable that the profiles they are searching are law abiding citizens.
• Bring awareness to dating safety.

Now let’s look at some of the cons of S.B. 488;
• Just because a person has been arrested for a crime does not mean they were convicted for that crime. They may have beaten the case for several reasons; the victim decides not to prosecute due to fear or retaliation, evidence is lost or destroyed and witnesses refusing to cooperate. Therefore, a lucky criminal is still a criminal, but just hasn’t been found guilty.
• Most criminal background checks that are found on the internet, will only disclose convictions not charges!
• Every criminal once had a clean background! A criminal background check cannot guarantee that a person will not commit a crime in the future.
• Gives a person a false sense of security!
• Will increase the cost of membership of online dating sites.

When it comes to looking for love, the route that you use, whether online or offline, is not important.  What is important is to exercise common sense and good judgment.  And just when you think that you have done all that you can do to ensure your safety, remember to login to bConcerned.com where we monitor your safe return home, because your safety is our priority!

Searching for your Valentine's Day Love?

San Antonio, TX, January 10, 2011 – With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, many singles are turning to the internet to find hope, love and romance! “Love seekers should use caution when searching for their true love online, because you never know who you will attract! Sex offenders are also searching for a lonely desperate heart, but not for love, but for their next victim. This is the time of year when Sweetheart scams increase. ” states Greg Sanchez, a Police Officer and co-founder of bConcerned.com; a free dating safety tool that confirms your safe return home from after a date.
According to bConcerned.com, here are a few dating safety tips you should follow;

• Never use a personal or work email, create a free email account with Yahoo, Gmail or AOL
• Always meet in a public place, if they want to meet discreetly; refuse to go
• Never send money to the person, financial scams increase during this time of year
• Trust your instincts, if something does not feel right; you don’t have to follow through
• Ask a lot of questions about the person, ex. where they work, their education, what they drive

Although it is easy and common to get caught up in the excitement, the mystery, and the infatuation of a potential new sweetheart, bConcerned.com reminds you that your safety should never be compromised. Greg and co-founder Marcello Saldana found that there are all kinds of internet dating sites, but there were almost no safe guards for the individuals who use them. As a result of their experience and the lack of a reliable safety tool, they created a notification system into a dating safety website that is now called bConcerned.com. “The website is very user friendly and the registration process is quick and simple. After registering and completing your profile, the member than adds an Alert Contact, and schedules a date and return time. The member has eight hours after their scheduled return time to logon and confirm their safe return home. If the member fails to confirm their safe return, bConcerned.com will notify their Alert Contact.”, states Marcello.

Co-founders Greg Sanchez and Marcello Saldana have 25 years of combined experience in the law enforcement and legal field. "Our mission is to bring safety awareness to the dating community. We believe your safety is always our priority, by providing a dating safety website, with cutting technology, unparalleled service and our exceptional insight to safety, you can rest assured knowing that your safe return is being monitored. SAFETY is our PASSION!"

For further information, interviews or to schedule a dating safety presentation with your group or organization, please contact Greg Sanchez at mailto:greg@bconcerned.com?subject=openPR.com contact or Marcello Saldana at mailto:marcello@bconcerned.com?subject=openPR.com contact or at (210) 628-9608, or write to bConcerned, 5150 Broadway #510,
San Antonio, TX 78209.