A Show That Advocates Police Reform and Extends to Prosecutorial Error

For our show on August 10th, we feature an interesting piece produced by Bill Clause on the topic of police reform.  There is an apparent lack of trust, accountability, excessive use of force, discriminatory policies and practices, and inadequate training of police forces.  The belief that addressing low-level “disorder” to prevent more serious crimes is actually just a form of informal social control.

These are just a few issues to get started on.  We hope you will listen.

During the second half of our hour, host Ed Pennington speaks with an inmate at Western Missouri Correctional Center, William Condit, #520884, who believes his conviction was based on inappropriate acts of the former Jackson County medical examiner, Michael Berkland, who was active at the time of Condit’s trial.   Police arrested former medical examiner Michael Berkland in 2012 for allegedly keeping crudely preserved human remains in a rented storage unit in Florida.  Justice depends on prosecutors who rely on local law enforcement for evidence in cases they bring.

The goal is for law enforcement and local leaders to expand education and awareness, review and improve policing policies/procedures, and build upon community relations and outreach efforts to ensure a high level of trust, interaction, and inclusiveness with all groups and populations.

The Calendar for the week of August 10th:

In compliance with the latest version of Mayor Lucas’s emergency order, certain business activities may resume while ensuring necessary public health measures remain in place.  See the FAQS at kcmo.gov.

  • MON, August 10th, Domestic Violence & Male Survivors: Online event. The Willow Domestic Violence Center ask us to please join for a presentation on challenges faced by men affected by domestic violence in the Willow 101 series with Prevention Specialist Alexandria Williams. 1:00 PM and again at 5:30 PM on Facebook Live.
  • Do you have items at home collecting dust that you don’t know what to do with? On August 12th between 4-5 PM, Veronica’s Voice will be hosting a FUNDrive. You can donate gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, linens, baby clothes, toys, and small household items to help raise funds for Veronica’s Voice as they continue their mission to empower women to be free from the abuse of commercial sex trafficking. Veronica’s Voice will be at the Overland Park Savers at 95th and Nall on WED, August 12th from 4 – 5 pm to accept drop off donations. More info at https://nextdoor.com/events/ks/overland-park/veronicas-voice-savers-fundrive-3619821. Veronica’s Voice gets paid for every pound of goods donated! To learn more about Veronica’s Voice their website is www.veronicasvoice.org.
  • Kansas Religious Leaders Caucus, WED, August 12th 9:00 10:30 AM online via zoom. Register in advance for this meeting, info at More².org.
  • Moms Demand Action, Kansas City Johnson County virtual monthly meeting, THURS August 13th , 6:30 PM access info at act.everytown.org.
  • MO NKC Moms Demand Action virtual monthly meeting, SUN August 16th, 4 PM access info at act.everytown.org
  • SUN August 16th, United As One Protest, March, & Rally 39th Street and Roanoke, KCMO, Hosted by White Rose Society, Fight for Freedom KC and 3 others. 12:30 – 2:30 PM
  • Willow Domestic Violence Center 24 Hour Hotline is 785) 843-3333.

 

  • A list of services, meals, and hot lines specific to sheltering are available at lawrenceprogressivecalendar.blogspot.com.  It is updated daily.

Please tune in next week when host Pat Bartholome talks with author Garrett S. Griffin about the history of racism in Kansas City.

Stay safe. Practice physical distancing. Wash your hands. Please take care of yourself and others.

Please take care of yourselves and others. Thanks to all our listeners, stay close to your dial and stay well!   A crisis on the scale of the pandemic can reorder society in dramatic ways, for better or worse.  All of society pays a heavy price for decades of failing to create a rational system of health care that works for all of us.


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