WEBVTT
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Production funding
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for Behind the Headlines
is made possible in part by,
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and by viewers,
like you, thank you.
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- What it's like to be a
police officer in Memphis,
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tonight on Behind the Headlines.
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[intense orchestral music]
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I'm Eric Barnes with
The Daily Memphian,
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thanks for joining us.
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I'm joined tonight by
MPD police officer,
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and one of the heads
of the police union,
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John Covington.
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Thanks for being here.
- Well, thank you for having me.
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Appreciate it.
- Along with Bill Dries,
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reporter with
The Daily Memphian.
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We'll talk about a lot today
and appreciate you coming on.
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It's always, we've
done so many shows
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in the last year,
year and a half
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on crime as this spike
in crime nationally,
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in both locally has taken place.
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So it'd be great to
hear from someone
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who has been on the street.
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Right now, you're in
this union position,
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so not really out on patrol.
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We talked a little bit earlier.
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- That's right.
01:10.470 --> 01:13.039 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
- But obviously a police officer
for 10 years now and been
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and are around and talking
to all the police and so on.
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And we'll talk about
restoration of benefits
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and the kind of impact
that is having on you all
01:20.447 --> 01:23.750 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
and the goal the city
has of hiring and so on.
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I am curious though,
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with a big picture kind of
thing of what it's like to be,
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as I said at the top,
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what it's like to be a
police officer right now.
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And you wrote a
column for us recently
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and addressed some of this.
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I mean, we're in the
midst of a national
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and local spike and
violent crime since what,
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over the last eight years
and the change in benefits.
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Some 500 police officers have
left Memphis Police Department.
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In the last few years with
George Floyd and with other
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incidents of bad behavior
by police officers,
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a major, major spotlight
has been put on police.
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And we've written
about incidents
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I mean in The Daily
Memphian as well.
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And I, I'm, it,
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I don't know that anyone
says it's an easy job though,
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against that backdrop, right?
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So I'm curious what
you, what you experience
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and what you've
experienced as your time,
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a police officer and
then your colleagues.
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I mean, are they
demoralized? Are they angry?
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Are they just running out the
clock or are they still driven
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to do the good work that
police officers try to do?
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- Well, I put it this way,
you know, there's just,
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there's not enough of us and
we all know the spike in crime.
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So it's a stressful
job, a tough job.
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There's a lot of
overtime right now
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because regardless
of the numbers,
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we're gonna go out
there and protect
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the citizens of Memphis.
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And so, as I said,
there's a lot of stress
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and pressure and you talked
about the shortages add
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to that there was
a social upheaval
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and turmoil and many
go into the wanting
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to be a police officer
when they're growing up
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because they're,
that person's kind
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of held up on a pedestal.
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And that took a
real hit that image.
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And that certainly played a part
02:57.744 --> 03:00.647 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
in officers not feeling valued.
03:00.647 --> 03:02.348 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
And that has an impact.
03:02.348 --> 03:05.018 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
And we also we're
seeing in the '90s,
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as you calling under Clinton,
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there was a big move
to hire officers.
03:08.221 --> 03:10.156 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
A lot of those officers are
heading towards retirement.
03:10.156 --> 03:13.059 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
So we're getting younger,
we're dealing with millennials,
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kind of a different
breed, so to speak,
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and learning how to speak
to them, so, but you know,
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as you saw recently,
we had some tragic,
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frightening events
and what you saw
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and with the guy driving
around shooting people
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and then of course that
tragic kidnapping is how well
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the police department
did in those situations,
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which is a testament
to our training
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and how committed we are.
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But it is a tough
time for officers.
03:40.853 --> 03:43.590 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- So many things
to come back to one,
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one simple thing though,
03:45.091 --> 03:46.926 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
that is a weird place for me
to go and then go to Bill,
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but you mentioned the overtime
and I remember years ago
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we had Bill Gibbons, former DA,
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now head of the Crime
Commission, on the show
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with Josh Spickler,
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head of Just City
now working with
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and a criminal justice
reformer who came outta the,
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I think the Public
Defender's office
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and now working
with Steve Mulroy.
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And we'll talk about Steve
Mulroy and the new DA
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and expectations there,
but they, one thing
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they do not agree
on a lot, right.
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Bill Gibbons and Josh Spickler
people go back to the,
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they do not, [indistinct].
04:10.984 --> 04:13.453 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
One thing that they really
came together on was that issue
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of overtime that if you have
police officers working so much
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overtime away from their
families, stressed out,
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and it's already
a stressful job.
04:23.596 --> 04:25.999 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
That, it really can
create a lot of problems.
04:25.999 --> 04:29.469 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
And so, although obviously
maybe police officers like
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that extra overtime
paycheck do, I mean,
04:32.939 --> 04:36.476 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
is there just overwhelming
desire among the rank and file
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police officers to get more
cops in and to reduce the amount
04:39.345 --> 04:41.014 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
of time they're having to work?
04:41.014 --> 04:42.515 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
- Absolutely. You know,
04:42.515 --> 04:44.050 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
a lot of times you're gonna
have socially younger officers
04:44.050 --> 04:48.288 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
who don't have families
who just overtime,
04:48.288 --> 04:49.822 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
but as you get older,
04:49.822 --> 04:51.457 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
that can be kind of tough
and a lot of officers put
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a lot of value on
that time away.
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So that does create...
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Yeah, it's tough
on 'em right now.
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And because the job is
gonna get done regardless
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and they're gonna be
out there and so we have
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So you talk to any officer,
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they want new officers to
come in to fill the ranks
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so we can have a little
bit more balance right now, so.
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- Bring in Bill.
05:13.946 --> 05:15.315 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5%
- One of the things
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in talking about
recruitment is that it,
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I think from past experience
that there have been like
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cycles of recruitment for
police where we have a bunch
05:25.692 --> 05:30.129 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
of police officers who are
about to hit 25, 30 years,
05:30.129 --> 05:33.299 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
who are about to retire
so we need to start,
05:33.299 --> 05:36.836 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
start thinking about
recruiting more officers.
05:36.836 --> 05:41.708 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
I'm wondering if now though
you have more police officers
05:41.708 --> 05:46.713 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
who have an outlook that I
might not do this for 25 years.
05:48.114 --> 05:52.385 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
I might do this for five years
and go to law school while
05:52.385 --> 05:53.853 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55%
I'm doing it.
05:53.853 --> 05:55.922 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Or I might do this for
five years and be looking
05:55.922 --> 05:59.425 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
for a position with
federal law enforcement.
05:59.425 --> 06:02.261 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
How common is that these days?
06:02.261 --> 06:03.830 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- Well, that's not just
in the police world,
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it's kind of a
generational thing.
06:05.231 --> 06:06.666 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
I've seen studies where,
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you know, our generation,
06:08.234 --> 06:11.104 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I think generally thought
in terms of like one career
06:11.104 --> 06:12.839 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
or maybe two at most.
06:12.839 --> 06:15.875 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
But you see a lot of the new
generation that does think
06:15.875 --> 06:18.044 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
in some shorter term like that.
06:18.044 --> 06:21.114 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
But what we do find is
to be a police officer
06:22.014 --> 06:23.015 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
to really commit to it,
06:23.015 --> 06:24.650 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
if you do it for five years,
06:24.650 --> 06:27.620 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
we're finding if you hit
that kind of five year mark,
06:27.620 --> 06:29.822 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
generally speaking,
you're gonna stay
06:29.822 --> 06:31.724 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
because that's the person who
06:31.724 --> 06:34.560 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
had the calling to do it, has
now seen it on the streets.
06:34.560 --> 06:35.928 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
Really, it takes
about five years
06:35.928 --> 06:38.064 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
to really get it
down how to do it.
06:38.064 --> 06:40.633 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
So when they hit that mark,
06:40.633 --> 06:43.236 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
they're kind of on
for the long haul.
06:43.236 --> 06:45.071 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5%
But to your point,
06:45.071 --> 06:47.407 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
the ones that we're
losing tend to be
06:47.407 --> 06:49.041 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
before that five year period.
06:49.041 --> 06:50.910 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And that's why I know
we'll get into it later.
06:50.910 --> 06:54.447 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
That's why the question of the
pension restoration came up
06:54.447 --> 06:57.717 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
because that was one thing that
some of the younger officers
06:57.717 --> 06:59.218 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
talked about over and over,
06:59.218 --> 07:02.822 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
is wanting that defined
plan to know their future.
07:04.023 --> 07:08.928 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
- So Chief Davis,
Chief CJ Davis has
07:10.363 --> 07:14.233 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
been on the job for what
about a year, about a year
07:14.233 --> 07:17.870 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
at this point, some further
efforts have been made.
07:17.870 --> 07:22.108 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
There's been a law passed in
Nashville that says you can't
07:22.108 --> 07:24.177 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
have any kind of residency
requirement for police
07:24.177 --> 07:25.711 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
and firefighters.
07:25.711 --> 07:30.550 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
The net effect of that and
as well as the pay raises,
07:31.417 --> 07:33.553 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
the bonuses, the incentives,
07:33.553 --> 07:35.555 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and now the restoration
of the pension
07:35.555 --> 07:37.023 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
and the next city budget.
07:40.026 --> 07:43.696 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Is there a net gain there
for the police force
07:43.696 --> 07:46.299 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
in Memphis now with
all of that in place?
07:46.299 --> 07:48.301 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
- Right. I think that's
definitely where we're headed.
07:48.301 --> 07:50.803 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
We have a huge class coming out.
07:50.803 --> 07:54.607 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
It's over 80 I maybe
even in the 90s,
07:54.607 --> 07:55.975 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
which is one of
the biggest classes
07:55.975 --> 07:57.243 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
we've had in a long time.
07:57.243 --> 07:59.312 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
There's obviously
been a big focus.
07:59.312 --> 08:03.015 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
So now as I say in
the piece I wrote,
08:03.015 --> 08:05.518 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
this is one of the final
bits of the puzzle.
08:05.518 --> 08:09.021 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
We've been, as you say,
residency, benefits,
08:09.021 --> 08:11.958 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
pay raises and so forth
is that's all kind
08:11.958 --> 08:13.426 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5%
of coming together.
08:13.426 --> 08:15.895 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
The next step you'll see is
the police department going out
08:15.895 --> 08:18.297 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
and advertising
that and pushing it.
08:18.297 --> 08:20.566 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
'Cause I think we'll have the
opportunity to bring officers
08:20.566 --> 08:23.035 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
in from other departments
'cause we're kind of going in
08:23.035 --> 08:25.738 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
another direction than a lot
of major departments away from
08:25.738 --> 08:28.040 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
the cuts, you know,
to restoration.
08:28.040 --> 08:30.610 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
So I think we're
gonna see over time,
08:30.610 --> 08:33.112 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
I think we'll look back to this
time period and say this is
08:33.112 --> 08:35.348 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
really when the
foundation was built
08:35.348 --> 08:37.283 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
to start rebuilding
the department.
08:37.283 --> 08:38.584 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
So I'm pretty optimistic.
08:38.584 --> 08:40.253 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
- Right now in round numbers.
08:40.253 --> 08:44.724 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I don't, we don't starting
police officer makes what,
08:44.724 --> 08:45.925 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55%
give or take?
08:45.925 --> 08:48.761 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
- Well it's in the
high 50s, 58,000.
08:48.761 --> 08:51.397 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
- And there's big signing
bonuses right now.
08:51.397 --> 08:52.632 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
- That's correct.
08:52.632 --> 08:53.833 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- New recruits in the
10 to 15,000 range.
08:53.833 --> 08:54.667 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
- That's correct. Right.
08:54.667 --> 08:56.135 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5%
- Depend. Okay.
08:56.135 --> 08:59.105 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And then the let's go and
get wonky for a second
08:59.105 --> 09:02.308 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
about the benefits that have
been that police officers
09:02.308 --> 09:05.378 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
when the benefits
were cut in 2014
09:05.378 --> 09:07.480 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
in the Wharton administration.
09:07.480 --> 09:10.550 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
What, they have now and
what is being restored.
09:10.550 --> 09:11.384 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
If you can walk through.
09:11.384 --> 09:12.885 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55%
- That I can,
09:12.885 --> 09:15.955 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
Well what was cut the time
was the one was the retiree
09:15.955 --> 09:17.957 align:left position:30% line:5% size:60%
benefits pre-65.
09:17.957 --> 09:20.960 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
So in our job let's
say you come on at 20,
09:20.960 --> 09:23.696 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
you could very well
be retiring at 45
09:23.696 --> 09:26.065 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
and it takes a toll
on you physically
09:27.099 --> 09:28.601 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
doing this kind of work.
09:28.601 --> 09:30.603 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And you see the kind of heart
attack rates and everything
09:30.603 --> 09:33.005 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
are much higher for
police as a profession.
09:33.005 --> 09:35.775 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
So that was a big deal that
was restored because it also
09:35.775 --> 09:37.843 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
sends the message to
that person who hits
09:37.843 --> 09:39.478 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
that five year say, "Hey,
09:39.478 --> 09:41.747 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
"when I get outta here I'm
gonna have health insurance
09:41.747 --> 09:44.617 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
instead of spending
$1,400 a month on it."
09:44.617 --> 09:46.519 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
So that was big.
09:46.519 --> 09:50.289 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
They cut the, they moved.
09:50.289 --> 09:51.891 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
Well when the Council
made that decision,
09:51.891 --> 09:54.994 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
they went seven and a half
years back and took away
09:54.994 --> 09:58.864 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
the defined pension benefit
and it turned into a hybrid,
09:58.864 --> 10:01.100 align:left position:37.5% line:89% size:52.5%
401a plan,
10:01.100 --> 10:04.003 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
which I've never been able
to have anybody explain
10:04.003 --> 10:05.338 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
to me how it really works.
10:05.338 --> 10:06.439 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
I hear as people say,
10:06.439 --> 10:07.373 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
Oh it's a great plan.
10:07.373 --> 10:08.608 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
I say, Well how does it work?
10:08.608 --> 10:09.275 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And when you get ready
to retire, they're like,
10:09.275 --> 10:10.476 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55%
I don't know.
10:10.476 --> 10:11.978 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
And you can't tell the number.
10:11.978 --> 10:14.313 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So that was restored
and now going forward,
10:14.313 --> 10:16.549 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
all those people
since July 1st, 2016,
10:16.549 --> 10:19.852 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
they're gonna be able to opt
into that in new hires as well.
10:19.852 --> 10:23.990 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And we also got 10% raise
over the next two years.
10:23.990 --> 10:26.926 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
And we also got these bonuses,
which are pensionable,
10:26.926 --> 10:30.696 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
which have a positive impact
on your retirement obviously.
10:30.696 --> 10:32.898 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
So there's been a lot going on.
10:32.898 --> 10:35.401 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And so some of these
new officers come on
10:35.401 --> 10:37.803 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
and we kind of joke about
it at the union that's like,
10:37.803 --> 10:39.038 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
we're gonna get spoiled
10:39.038 --> 10:41.340 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
thinking that these
just good things happen.
10:41.340 --> 10:44.610 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
But it's been a lot of hard
work to make this happen.
10:44.610 --> 10:46.379 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- The restoration part
came off the referendum
10:46.379 --> 10:47.747 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
that you very much
worked very hard on
10:47.747 --> 10:50.349 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and the whole union
worked hard on in 2019.
10:50.349 --> 10:51.617 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50%
- Right.
10:51.617 --> 10:52.451 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- That there was a tax
increase that would pay
10:52.451 --> 10:53.953 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
for restoration benefits
10:53.953 --> 10:57.356 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
for police, fire, also some
paving, and also pre-K.
10:57.356 --> 10:58.624 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
- That's correct. Yes.
10:58.624 --> 10:59.592 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- And we'll get more
into the numbers,
10:59.592 --> 11:01.127 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
as we go into budget season,
11:01.127 --> 11:03.863 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
we'll try to get Shirley Ford
on, the Chief Finance Officer,
11:03.863 --> 11:05.264 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and others from the
city and City Council.
11:05.264 --> 11:07.233 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
So we won't go too far because
11:07.233 --> 11:09.101 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
there are people out there,
and I remember the debates
11:09.101 --> 11:12.905 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
we had many shows that
we did, many, many,
11:12.905 --> 11:15.474 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
many shows that Bill and
I did about decision.
11:15.474 --> 11:17.109 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
But it was really
important and it was,
11:17.109 --> 11:19.478 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
you know the reason that
people wanted to cut it
11:19.478 --> 11:20.680 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
was that it looked
like we were going
11:20.680 --> 11:22.214 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
towards this fiscal
cliff and this argument
11:22.214 --> 11:24.383 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
that the city over the long
term couldn't afford this.
11:24.383 --> 11:26.152 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
The state stepped
in and said, "Hey,
11:26.152 --> 11:27.720 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
you're underfunding
your pension."
11:27.720 --> 11:31.090 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
We're gonna skip a lot of that
today and we will get to that
11:31.090 --> 11:33.059 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
with city officials and
go and charts and graphs
11:33.059 --> 11:34.193 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
and so on and so forth.
11:34.193 --> 11:35.261 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
'Cause I wanna stay with,
11:35.261 --> 11:36.729 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
on this notion of crime,
11:36.729 --> 11:39.065 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
we talked about some of
the high profile incidents.
11:40.232 --> 11:43.002 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And we've got a big
change in the landscape.
11:43.002 --> 11:44.870 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
We talked about the
social upheavals,
11:44.870 --> 11:46.172 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
we talked about all this
11:46.172 --> 11:47.773 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
the reductions in the force.
11:47.773 --> 11:49.942 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
We've also got a brand new
DA, which I referenced.
11:49.942 --> 11:53.212 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
And it would seem
maybe some weariness,
11:53.212 --> 11:55.147 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
but I'll, I suppose
it as a question,
11:55.147 --> 11:56.215 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
had Steve on, Steve Mulroy,
11:56.215 --> 11:58.084 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
the new DA on last week,
11:58.084 --> 12:01.320 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
that Steve came in and
I think in my words,
12:01.320 --> 12:03.522 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
not his as a criminal
justice reformer,
12:03.522 --> 12:05.691 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
wanting to do things
differently, but also saying,
12:05.691 --> 12:08.160 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I want to focus on violent
criminals and do all we,
12:08.160 --> 12:09.695 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
that's where we
need to be focused.
12:09.695 --> 12:12.064 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
We need to stop focus
on petty crime.
12:12.064 --> 12:15.668 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
Are the police officers
you talk to wary
12:15.668 --> 12:17.770 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
of the new DA and
this new administration?
12:17.770 --> 12:19.038 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
Do they embrace the
new administration?
12:19.038 --> 12:21.073 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
Is it a wait and
see of this new DA
12:21.073 --> 12:23.375 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
and his new approach?
12:23.375 --> 12:25.845 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- It's kind of a wait
and see in terms of
12:27.646 --> 12:30.783 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
just where he is because
there's campaigns obviously,
12:30.783 --> 12:33.786 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5%
and then he's coming from an
academic background and then I
12:33.786 --> 12:35.855 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
think there's a reality
of doing the job.
12:35.855 --> 12:37.923 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
And from our point of view,
12:37.923 --> 12:39.358 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
he needs to be given some time
12:39.358 --> 12:41.327 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
to get into the
position and learn.
12:41.327 --> 12:46.065 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
And I think we'll see then how
he's going to run that office
12:46.065 --> 12:48.033 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
and his, what his
approach is gonna be.
12:48.033 --> 12:50.803 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
Because I think the vast
majority of citizens in Memphis,
12:50.803 --> 12:52.872 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
we need to be tough on crime.
12:52.872 --> 12:57.176 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
We need to not be
just a revolving door
12:57.176 --> 12:58.911 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
and putting people
back on the streets.
12:58.911 --> 13:00.613 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
I think we all agree that some
13:00.613 --> 13:03.749 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
of the minor petty stuff
doesn't need to be focused on.
13:03.749 --> 13:07.620 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
But if you actually
look back at DA Weirich,
13:07.620 --> 13:09.989 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
she was already kind of
doing that and so--
13:09.989 --> 13:11.223 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
- Doing what, just to clarify.
13:11.223 --> 13:13.325 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- And not focusing
not worrying so much
13:13.325 --> 13:14.560 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
about the minor stuff,
13:14.560 --> 13:19.265 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
but really and so yeah,
so I think he will be,
13:20.132 --> 13:21.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
and I can only speak for,
13:21.333 --> 13:22.835 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
just kind of think about
it when the reality
13:22.835 --> 13:24.336 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
of the situation,
13:24.336 --> 13:27.106 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
he'll have perhaps rethink
or have a more nuanced view
13:27.106 --> 13:29.275 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
of some things and we'll
kind of see how it goes.
13:29.275 --> 13:33.646 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
But obviously he
deserves time to get in,
13:33.646 --> 13:35.214 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
fill out the position
and then we'll kind
13:35.214 --> 13:36.148 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
of take it from there.
13:36.148 --> 13:36.982 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
We're not gonna prejudge him.
13:36.982 --> 13:37.883 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
It's a tough job.
13:37.883 --> 13:38.717 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
It's a tough job.
13:38.717 --> 13:39.952 align:left position:42.5% line:89% size:47.5%
- Bill.
13:39.952 --> 13:42.388 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- And in terms of the
benefits restoration
13:42.388 --> 13:46.091 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
for the 1978 plan, which is
what it's been referred to,
13:47.226 --> 13:49.028 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
Mayor Strickland made
that announcement
13:49.962 --> 13:52.598 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
just a month or two ago.
13:52.598 --> 13:56.035 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
And this will be part of his
budget for the budget proposal
13:56.035 --> 13:58.771 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
for the fiscal year
that starts July 1st.
13:58.771 --> 14:01.640 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
When he made the
announcement at City Hall,
14:01.640 --> 14:04.376 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
one of the first
things I asked him was,
14:04.376 --> 14:06.812 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
"Did the City Council
make a mistake
14:06.812 --> 14:09.315 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
when they cut the
benefits in 2014?"
14:10.516 --> 14:11.884 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- A City Council that
he was a part of.
14:11.884 --> 14:13.352 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- A City Council that
he was a part of,
14:13.352 --> 14:16.255 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
and that he was the budget
chairman at the time.
14:16.255 --> 14:19.425 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
He didn't think that the
Council made a mistake.
14:19.425 --> 14:22.294 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
He said economic
conditions changed.
14:23.195 --> 14:24.964 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
What do you think about that?
14:24.964 --> 14:27.766 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
Did the Council make
a mistake back then?
14:27.766 --> 14:29.635 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- When I was watching
that press conference
14:29.635 --> 14:31.570 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
I heard you ask that question.
14:31.570 --> 14:33.138 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
I recognized that as you,
14:33.138 --> 14:34.573 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
and that's obviously
a fair question.
14:34.573 --> 14:36.442 align:left position:10% line:5% size:80%
I think if you go back and look
14:36.442 --> 14:40.379 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
at the impact that that
had on losing the officers,
14:40.379 --> 14:42.681 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
I would assume that if
they went back in time,
14:42.681 --> 14:45.384 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
the Council would make
another decision on that.
14:45.384 --> 14:48.687 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
Now, I will say this
in the mayor's defense,
14:48.687 --> 14:53.259 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
because having been
involved in politics
14:53.259 --> 14:54.727 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
and working with politicians,
14:54.727 --> 14:56.762 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
I have started to understand
you have a certain view
14:56.762 --> 14:59.999 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
on the Council that you
don't necessarily have
14:59.999 --> 15:01.400 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
from the mayor's office.
15:01.400 --> 15:03.869 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
You're privy to a much
broader view in understanding
15:03.869 --> 15:06.372 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and thinking of kind
of longer term impacts.
15:06.372 --> 15:07.573 align:left position:37.5% line:89% size:52.5%
I believe.
15:07.573 --> 15:12.311 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
So we focus on that
and as you know
15:13.479 --> 15:15.447 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
when Strickland's
first elected mayor,
15:15.447 --> 15:18.784 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
the police association did
not have a great relationship.
15:18.784 --> 15:21.420 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
But over time we both
have recognized the need
15:21.420 --> 15:24.156 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
for more officers and
retention and recruitment
15:24.156 --> 15:25.491 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
and we've come
together and worked
15:25.491 --> 15:26.959 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
really well together on that.
15:26.959 --> 15:28.327 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And we couldn't have
accomplished these things
15:28.327 --> 15:31.463 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
without working with the mayor.
15:31.463 --> 15:34.800 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
And so yeah, I would say it,
15:34.800 --> 15:37.703 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
it's good enough for us
to focus on the future.
15:37.703 --> 15:40.506 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
We're fixing I think,
15:40.506 --> 15:42.574 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
some mistakes that
were made in the past.
15:42.574 --> 15:47.079 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
But we said at the time what
would happen and it did happen.
15:47.079 --> 15:48.847 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
There's a great line
in broadcast news,
15:48.847 --> 15:51.116 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
which I'm sure you guys
are both familiar with.
15:51.116 --> 15:52.551 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
When he said, "It
must be nice to be
15:52.551 --> 15:54.720 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
the smartest person in the
room and knows what's going on?"
15:54.720 --> 15:56.455 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
And she says, "No, it's awful."
15:56.455 --> 15:58.924 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And so in looking back at
that time we were saying,
15:58.924 --> 16:00.392 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
please don't make these cuts.
16:00.392 --> 16:03.062 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
It's gonna have a huge
negative impact on numbers
16:03.062 --> 16:05.297 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
of officers and
crime, and it did.
16:05.297 --> 16:08.767 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
But to everybody's credit,
there's this understanding
16:08.767 --> 16:10.402 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
of moving forward and
luckily the citizens
16:10.402 --> 16:13.372 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
of Memphis stepped in with
the public safety referendum,
16:13.372 --> 16:15.140 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
which has allowed
the funds to be able
16:15.140 --> 16:17.343 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
to rebuild and do these things.
16:17.343 --> 16:18.544 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
So that's a good thing.
16:20.045 --> 16:24.149 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
- It was, it I think for
people who don't realize this,
16:24.149 --> 16:27.753 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
most referendums that get
on the ballot are put on the
16:27.753 --> 16:31.457 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
ballot by the City Council to
have what the police and fire
16:31.457 --> 16:34.293 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
unions did go out and
do a petition drive
16:34.293 --> 16:36.261 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
and get the number
of signatures,
16:36.261 --> 16:40.632 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
which is a pretty daunting task
to put this half cent sales
16:40.632 --> 16:44.803 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
tax, a sales tax
hike on the ballot.
16:44.803 --> 16:46.338 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
- Asking people
to tax themselves.
16:46.338 --> 16:47.906 align:left position:42.5% line:89% size:47.5%
- Yeah.
16:47.906 --> 16:52.277 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
"Do you want to increase
the sales tax that you pay?"
16:52.277 --> 16:54.013 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
For all of that to happen,
16:54.013 --> 16:57.850 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
what was pretty
unusual politically
16:59.284 --> 17:03.088 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
and is something that those
two unions are and many other
17:03.088 --> 17:06.358 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
unions are not
traditionally involved
17:06.358 --> 17:08.394 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
in terms of political activity.
17:10.029 --> 17:15.034 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
What did you learn from kind
of wading into those waters
17:16.168 --> 17:18.337 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
on this issue and seeing
this thing through?
17:18.337 --> 17:20.739 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
- I learned sometimes it's
better to not know a whole lot
17:20.739 --> 17:22.207 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
about something
before you try it,
17:22.207 --> 17:24.843 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
'cause you don't
realize how difficult
17:24.843 --> 17:26.345 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
we kind of wandered into it.
17:26.345 --> 17:28.414 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
We had a meeting with the
mayor and other city leaders
17:28.414 --> 17:30.582 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
about restoration of
benefits because we thought
17:30.582 --> 17:34.086 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
it was that important and we
took literally this cause like,
17:34.086 --> 17:37.589 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
well find me
$30 million and I'll do it.
17:37.589 --> 17:39.591 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
So we started looking and we
looked at some of the other
17:39.591 --> 17:43.695 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
municipalities who had passed
this sales tax increase in
17:43.695 --> 17:47.433 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
Germantown, Millington, to
fund their schools nominally.
17:47.433 --> 17:50.235 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And I was, Oh, well there
it is, there's our solution.
17:50.235 --> 17:52.638 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
And then we went to the Council
and asked them to put it on
17:52.638 --> 17:55.174 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
the ballot and they refused
to do so, you know.
17:55.174 --> 17:56.375 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
There was an election coming up.
17:56.375 --> 17:58.644 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
I guess the word tax was scary.
17:58.644 --> 18:03.048 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
Our argument was if you lay
out in the wording exactly what
18:03.048 --> 18:05.684 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
you're gonna use it for
and let the citizens know
18:05.684 --> 18:09.555 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and let them know that
it will help this issue
18:09.555 --> 18:12.091 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
of public safety, we feel
like they'll vote for it.
18:12.091 --> 18:13.025 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
They didn't want to do it.
18:13.025 --> 18:15.494 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
And so we talked to the state,
18:15.494 --> 18:16.795 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
we talked to the
Election Commission
18:16.795 --> 18:20.299 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
and found out 40,000 signatures
would put it on the ballot.
18:20.299 --> 18:22.201 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
Well, as you may know, we said,
18:22.201 --> 18:23.802 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
oh, 40,000, we can do that.
18:24.703 --> 18:26.171 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
It took about a year,
18:26.171 --> 18:28.841 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
we had to get 100 over
120,000 just to make sure,
18:28.841 --> 18:30.309 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
because we have people,
18:30.309 --> 18:32.244 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
great people from Bartlett
or wherever sign it.
18:32.244 --> 18:34.246 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
And we're like, Oh,
that doesn't count.
18:34.246 --> 18:36.215 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
You don't live in the city,
thank you for your support.
18:36.215 --> 18:38.083 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
So it was a huge undertaking.
18:38.083 --> 18:41.420 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
It was expensive, but you know,
18:41.420 --> 18:44.857 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
I always joke we were
dumb enough to try it
18:44.857 --> 18:47.092 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and smart enough to
pull it off, you know.
18:47.092 --> 18:48.627 align:left position:42.5% line:89% size:47.5%
- Well,
18:48.627 --> 18:50.963 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
and so then the pandemic hits
and the city starts looking at
18:50.963 --> 18:54.032 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
its finances, and the
city government here,
18:54.032 --> 18:57.503 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
the county government, every
local government says, Oh,
18:57.503 --> 19:01.340 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
we're gonna take a huge
hit on sales tax revenue.
19:01.340 --> 19:04.376 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
The opposite turns
out to be true.
19:04.376 --> 19:07.279 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
And those sales tax
revenue projections
19:07.279 --> 19:11.416 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
are in effect what's going to
pay for the full restoration.
19:11.416 --> 19:12.518 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5%
- That was correct.
19:12.518 --> 19:15.454 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
And for the first time in
the history of the city,
19:15.454 --> 19:18.657 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
pre-k for every Memphis child
that wants it and a huge
19:18.657 --> 19:21.927 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
infusion into paving a lot
of equipment and so forth.
19:21.927 --> 19:25.230 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
We had charted the sales tax
over years and looked back
19:25.230 --> 19:28.133 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
at 2008 during that economic
19:28.133 --> 19:30.235 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
turmoil at that time it
only dropped a little bit
19:30.235 --> 19:31.436 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5%
and moved back up.
19:31.436 --> 19:34.439 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
So we were pretty
confident and then we,
19:34.439 --> 19:38.343 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
the pandemic hit now that
there internet sales are taxed.
19:38.343 --> 19:40.846 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I don't know if like me, I
was on Amazon all the time,
19:40.846 --> 19:42.447 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
but having them start having to,
19:42.447 --> 19:45.517 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
trying to break now that the
pandemic is nominally over.
19:45.517 --> 19:49.288 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
But yeah the numbers
went way up in which
19:49.288 --> 19:50.923 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
we were all very pleased by.
19:50.923 --> 19:53.725 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
So yes, it is made
all this possible.
19:53.725 --> 19:58.030 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
- The part of the conversation
here with the six,
19:58.030 --> 20:00.899 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
seven minutes left
here is the argument
20:00.899 --> 20:03.569 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
you've referenced here
and you made in this,
20:03.569 --> 20:05.003 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
the call you did
in the restoration,
20:05.003 --> 20:07.472 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
that reduction number of
police officers from something
20:07.472 --> 20:10.676 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
like 24, 2500 down to
around 1950 right now.
20:10.676 --> 20:11.710 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
Something like that.
20:11.710 --> 20:12.978 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
That was directly tied
20:12.978 --> 20:17.082 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
to the increase in crime
there people that if we,
20:17.082 --> 20:18.450 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
and that we've had that debate
20:18.450 --> 20:19.985 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
with other people on the shows.
20:19.985 --> 20:21.220 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
We've talked about
crime justice,
20:21.220 --> 20:23.488 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
most people who've been
on the show have said,
20:23.488 --> 20:25.524 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
We want more police
that will reduce crime.
20:25.524 --> 20:27.960 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
Others have
said other otherwise.
20:27.960 --> 20:29.962 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
For you rather than,
I just wanna acknowledge
20:29.962 --> 20:32.564 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
that there's a debate about
that goes on and you have your
20:32.564 --> 20:33.865 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
strong opinion about that.
20:34.866 --> 20:36.868 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
If the, from your point of view,
20:36.868 --> 20:40.706 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
I mean if the MPD got back
up to 22, another 200,
20:40.706 --> 20:43.308 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
another 300 officers
over the next few years,
20:43.308 --> 20:45.911 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
one, they would reduce
the overtime and stress
20:45.911 --> 20:47.913 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
and the time away from family
20:47.913 --> 20:49.881 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
and even some risks
that come with that
20:49.881 --> 20:51.350 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
and burnout and so on.
20:51.350 --> 20:52.951 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
But also where would they go,
20:52.951 --> 20:56.121 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
where would they be doing,
what would you think, I mean,
20:56.121 --> 20:58.023 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
if you could wave a
magic wand and say, Hey,
20:58.023 --> 21:00.959 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
we want more cops patrolling,
you know, speeders,
21:00.959 --> 21:03.595 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
we want more cops
in high crime areas.
21:03.595 --> 21:05.697 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
What is that answer
and what's that,
21:05.697 --> 21:08.333 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
what's the best use of
those new police officers?
21:08.333 --> 21:10.202 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
- Well, you could
just be more proactive
21:10.202 --> 21:12.204 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
and that would be more
police on the streets.
21:12.204 --> 21:13.872 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
You could go in and
build relationships
21:13.872 --> 21:15.140 align:left position:22.5% line:5% size:67.5%
with these businesses.
21:15.140 --> 21:16.775 align:left position:27.5% line:5% size:62.5%
You could do more
targeted policing,
21:16.775 --> 21:18.443 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
you could create
more task force.
21:18.443 --> 21:20.746 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
There's just a whole variety
of things you could do
21:20.746 --> 21:21.880 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
from the crime fighting side
21:21.880 --> 21:23.882 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and from the community
building side,
21:23.882 --> 21:26.385 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
which is so much a part of it,
21:27.786 --> 21:29.755 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
just being able to be more
proactive because then
21:29.755 --> 21:31.790 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
so many ways we
have to be a little
21:31.790 --> 21:33.191 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
more reactive these days.
21:33.191 --> 21:34.726 align:left position:42.5% line:89% size:47.5%
And so,
21:34.726 --> 21:37.696 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
and then it's hard to chart
how much crime that we stop
21:37.696 --> 21:41.166 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
that never happens just based
upon people seeing more police
21:41.166 --> 21:44.102 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
cars on the street and more
officers and businesses
21:44.102 --> 21:45.671 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
and so forth like that.
21:45.671 --> 21:48.740 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
So, and I just go back
to the all I have to work
21:48.740 --> 21:51.743 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
from the FBI statistics
and the Crime Commission
21:51.743 --> 21:53.512 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
you see pretty
clearly this chart
21:53.512 --> 21:56.248 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
is police officers go
up, crime seems to drop,
21:56.248 --> 22:00.852 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
but it works on so many
levels to reduce crime,
22:00.852 --> 22:03.455 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
as I say, big part of
this community working
22:03.455 --> 22:08.427 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
with community and not just
the crime-focused issues.
22:08.427 --> 22:12.464 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
- The one thing you know that
has gone on over the last few
22:12.464 --> 22:14.066 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
years of this kind of
spotlight in policing,
22:14.066 --> 22:15.701 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
and we've talked about
it here on the show
22:15.701 --> 22:18.136 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
and in The Daily Memphian
is this notion of
22:18.136 --> 22:19.504 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
sort of the broken
window strategy
22:19.504 --> 22:21.540 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60%
of which was the
strategy of, hey,
22:21.540 --> 22:25.010 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
you really want to arrest
or give fines to people
22:25.010 --> 22:28.613 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
who do the smallest of
crimes because it says,
22:28.613 --> 22:30.282 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
Hey, we're here.
22:30.282 --> 22:31.917 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
Don't go down that path.
22:31.917 --> 22:34.653 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
Don't do more because a broken
window leads to a break in,
22:34.653 --> 22:36.988 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
leads to some kind of
violence, and so that theory,.
22:36.988 --> 22:39.024 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Then the other theory is,
I can't remember what it,
22:39.024 --> 22:40.525 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
you know, it's really called,
22:40.525 --> 22:41.993 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
but I would sort of think of
it as broken taillights where
22:41.993 --> 22:44.363 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
people who say, look, the
more touches you give,
22:44.363 --> 22:46.932 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
particularly young,
particularly black,
22:46.932 --> 22:51.937 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
particularly male men of pulled
over for a broken taillight
22:53.071 --> 22:54.406 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
or an expired
license, get a 200,
22:54.406 --> 22:57.476 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
three hundred dollar fine that
then has some interest on it,
22:57.476 --> 22:58.677 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
get pulled over again.
22:58.677 --> 23:00.746 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Suddenly you get someone
who's got a burden
23:00.746 --> 23:02.547 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
that they cannot take care of.
23:02.547 --> 23:04.850 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
I mean, I think everyone at
this table will be like, bummer,
23:04.850 --> 23:06.952 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
I'm gonna pay that $200
fine online and I'm done,
23:06.952 --> 23:09.087 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
or I'm gonna go down stand in
line and get it taken care of.
23:09.087 --> 23:10.922 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
That's not easy for
everybody, you know?
23:10.922 --> 23:12.357 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50%
- Right.
23:12.357 --> 23:14.259 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
- And the more touches you
create with the criminal justice
23:14.259 --> 23:16.661 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
system is counterproductive.
23:16.661 --> 23:19.664 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
And so where you,
the police department,
23:19.664 --> 23:20.932 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
the cops you talk to,
23:20.932 --> 23:23.702 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
where are they on
these small offenses
23:23.702 --> 23:28.707 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
and how effective those are at
stopping the bigger offenses?
23:29.841 --> 23:31.777 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
- Right. And to your
point, you know,
23:31.777 --> 23:35.447 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
Memphis is an economically
struggling city in many ways
23:35.447 --> 23:36.982 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
with a large poor population.
23:36.982 --> 23:39.718 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
And so you don't wanna put
those extra burdens on people.
23:39.718 --> 23:41.219 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
So when I talk about proactive
23:41.219 --> 23:45.457 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
it's being out in the
community, in the schools,
23:45.457 --> 23:47.125 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
things of that nature, creating
23:47.125 --> 23:49.795 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
these more positive
relationships.
23:49.795 --> 23:53.398 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
And so that's, so, I don't
know what the term, but not,
23:53.398 --> 23:56.935 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
I wouldn't say broken windows,
more like broken pathways,
23:56.935 --> 23:59.337 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
you know, towards success.
23:59.337 --> 24:01.606 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
And I just real quick,
24:01.606 --> 24:03.909 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
the MPA working with the
Crime Commission is working
24:03.909 --> 24:06.511 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
with Memphis City or Shelby
County Schools, sorry,
24:06.511 --> 24:09.514 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
on a program called
Public Services Academy.
24:09.514 --> 24:12.851 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
The idea is you start in ninth
grade and you take different
24:12.851 --> 24:14.119 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5%
tracks to police, fire,
24:14.119 --> 24:17.055 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
or maybe be a politician
or an attorney.
24:17.055 --> 24:21.526 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
And the idea is to have a lot
of mentors and create economic
24:21.526 --> 24:23.595 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
opportunity in these
kind of great careers,
24:23.595 --> 24:25.597 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
but also create something
uniquely Memphis.
24:25.597 --> 24:26.865 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
It's something
we're talking about.
24:26.865 --> 24:29.034 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
So I think everybody gets,
24:29.034 --> 24:31.036 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
when you talk about
being more proactive,
24:31.036 --> 24:33.572 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
not necessarily that
kind of punitive way,
24:33.572 --> 24:35.173 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
but a more positive way.
24:35.173 --> 24:36.241 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65%
- Do police officers.
24:36.241 --> 24:38.410 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Again, just a minute left
here, apologies Bill.
24:38.410 --> 24:40.178 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
We've talked a lot
about diversion programs
24:40.178 --> 24:42.581 align:left position:12.5% line:5% size:77.5%
and alternative programs where
particularly with juveniles
24:42.581 --> 24:46.218 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
who are picked up for not
gun violence, shooting,
24:46.218 --> 24:47.853 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
but kind of interim
sort of offenses.
24:47.853 --> 24:50.055 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
Not going to the
Juvenile Justice Center,
24:50.055 --> 24:52.491 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
not going to jail, but going
to some sort of diversion
24:52.491 --> 24:54.493 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5%
someplace where they might get
some counseling, they might,
24:54.493 --> 24:56.595 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
somebody who helps them out
on maybe they're homeless,
24:56.595 --> 24:59.064 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
maybe they've got a broken
family, they've got their
24:59.064 --> 25:01.032 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
all those kind of factors.
25:01.032 --> 25:03.535 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75%
Do cops, and there's similar
programs for maybe
25:03.535 --> 25:06.204 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
for people who are homeless
or people who are
25:06.204 --> 25:08.340 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
or just other kind of
issues, social issues.
25:08.340 --> 25:12.577 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80%
Do cops by and large support
those sort of alternative paths
25:12.577 --> 25:16.715 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
for low and medium,
for lack of better term,
25:16.715 --> 25:18.383 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60%
medium offenses?
25:18.383 --> 25:19.885 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
- Absolutely, and in fact,
25:19.885 --> 25:21.586 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
a lot of officers on their
own time create programs
25:21.586 --> 25:23.221 align:left position:37.5% line:5% size:52.5%
to do that.
25:23.221 --> 25:25.290 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
You know, the problem
is that you do have
25:25.290 --> 25:27.926 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70%
this percentage of, even
those young juveniles
25:27.926 --> 25:30.262 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65%
are extremely violent
and have done some
25:30.262 --> 25:31.763 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
really atrocious things.
25:31.763 --> 25:35.233 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
And with those,
as tragic as it is
25:35.233 --> 25:36.434 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
we're on the other side of that.
25:36.434 --> 25:39.471 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
And we have to protect
to the community.
25:39.471 --> 25:42.274 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
So yeah, I think we would love,
25:42.274 --> 25:44.075 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5%
we don't wanna see
any lives thrown away.
25:44.075 --> 25:45.877 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
It's a such a precious commodity
25:45.877 --> 25:47.712 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
of our young people
in this city.
25:47.712 --> 25:51.316 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5%
So yeah, I think generally
the most violent, yes.
25:51.316 --> 25:53.919 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
But anybody would support a kind
25:53.919 --> 25:55.654 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5%
of redemption and resurrection
25:55.654 --> 25:57.222 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
of somebody's opportunities.
25:57.222 --> 25:58.156 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50%
So yeah.
25:58.156 --> 25:59.090 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80%
- All right. We're out of time.
25:59.090 --> 26:00.325 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
- Thank you. Appreciate it.
26:00.325 --> 26:01.259 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5%
- Thanks very much
for being here.
26:01.259 --> 26:02.193 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5%
Bill, thank you very much.
26:02.193 --> 26:03.662 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75%
And thank you for joining us.
26:03.662 --> 26:05.063 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
We've done past shows
on criminal justice
26:05.063 --> 26:06.498 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
and all the different
points of view.
26:06.498 --> 26:09.067 align:left position:15% line:5% size:75%
You can get those at wkno.org
or either also available
26:09.067 --> 26:11.136 align:left position:25% line:5% size:65%
as podcast, where
we get your podcast.
26:11.136 --> 26:13.338 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70%
Thanks very much and
we'll see you next week.
26:13.338 --> 26:16.074 align:left position:17.5% line:5% size:72.5%
[intense orchestral music]
26:30.689 --> 26:32.691 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70%
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