Black and White and Thin Blue Lines

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Several listeners have asked Clarke and Serge for their advice on hiring a lawyer.  In this episode, Clarke and Serge discuss everything from solo to big firm, hourly to fixed rate, young lawyer to senior advocate, local attorney to outsider, as well as the personal bias of the co-hosts when it comes to hiring a lawyer. We plan to upload this episode as a permanent part of the website. 

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In Maryland, most of the rehabilitation of adjudicated delinquent offenders is the domain of correctional personnel. Dr. Keith Hannon, Ph.D., has had a 30-year career as a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in the Maryland juvenile justice system. Dr. Hannan challenges the efficacy of the Maryland system, compares it to the District of Columbia juvenile justice system, and makes a compelling argument that mental health professionals should determine the appropriate treatment and should run our juvenile treatment facilities. 

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On June 23, 2022, the United States Supreme Court in a case called NY State Pistol & Rifle Association v. Bruen decided that New York's penal statute which required a particularized showing of "proper cause" in order to obtain a wear and carry pistol permit was unconstitutional. The second amendment guarantees to all citizens the personal right of self defense. States may prohibit a permit to convicted felons, persons with mental health problems, drug or alcohol addiction, or persons who refuse to be fingerprinted. But more wear and carry handgun permits are on the horizon. Serge and Clarke analyze the case and discuss what this means for law enforcement officers and others. 

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This podcast is the story of "Randy" Morton. Randy grew up in West Baltimore where a mentor steered him into Boy Scouts. Randy committed and became an Eagle Scout. After high school, he joined the military.  After the military,  he worked as a "drill sergeant" with the North American Family Institute which held a contract with the D.C. Superior Courts for adolescent and adult Boot Camps. Then he joined the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department where he has worked for more than two decades. Along the way he became a pastor and a youth counselor, husband, and father.  This is a podcast about  indefatigable  commitment to the community. You might even hear a four letter word: love. And what is Randy up to now -- bringing mental health awareness to law enforcement officer and first responders. If you ever wonder what heroes sound like, listen to this episode. 

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    On May 24, 2022, 73S minutes passed between the time the time the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police arrived at Robb Elementary School and the time Room 111 was breached by the Border Patrol Swat Team. By then 376 law enforcement officers had arrived on the scene.
    How is it possible for hundreds of police officers to stand impotent against one armed teenager who killed 19 children and 2 teachers. That is what this report addresses. Listen to hear what it doesn't address. 

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BPD Police Lieutenant Wayne Wilson takes us back to old school policing in Baltimore and shares his wisdom about the O'Malley years, the best Baltimore Police Commissioner in the last 50 years, the police response to the Uvalde school shooting, and how the failure of the Baltimore School System is related to the city's homicide rate. To criminal justice junkies like Serge and Clarke -- this is good stuff!

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Are you a police officer serving any department in the State of Maryland. Serge and Clarke implore you to listen to Parts 1 and 2 of the Maryland Police Accountability and Discipline Act podcasts. The new law went into effect on July 1, 2022. This is what YOU need to know. 

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If you are a police officer anywhere in the State of Maryland, or a lawyer with police officer clients, this is part one of a two-part podcast about the new Police Accountability and Discipline Act. The Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights is repealed. It is critical for police officers and the lawyers who represent them to get ahead of the curve to survive the administrative challenges of this new law!

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Have you ever wondered why certain search warrants are served by SWAT teams and whether you are safer -- or in great danger -- when a SWAT team arrives? This episode is a very interesting discussion with a SWAT officer in a "major city on the East coast of the United States." Serge and Clarke think you will enjoy this discussion. 

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     Our last podcast described the racist criminal mayhem in Buffalo, NY. After the podcast was uploaded for broadcast, but before it was released, Salvadore Ramos killed 19 school children and two teachers in Ulvade, Texas. Serge and I promised our listeners that we would address this ongoing problem in our next podcast. We have. After a short discussion about the Ulvade massacre, Serge and I discuss "The Columbia Plan." The Columbia Plan is our ten-point idea to call upon America's best and brightest to determine the best practices to prevent or significantly deter intentional mass casualty events. In the 19th century, "Columbia" was the goddess-like personification of the United States and liberty itself. Our 21 century idea is to mimic the Manhattan Project (1942-1946) with the goal of assessing and publishing the best ideas from 20 disciplines to stop or deter intentional mass casualty events. Serge and I have put our thoughts to paper. We are writing to everyone and their brother. We ask you to listen and to join in a push to address this national crisis.