Crossing Division

We have questions about local law enforcement agencies given investigations into Tacoma Police Department conduct and Black Lives Matter protests.

We asked Tacoma criminal defense attorney Chris Van Vechten to talk with us about what he has experienced working cases involving the Tacoma Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the changes he’s observed at the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.

Chris raises some interesting questions about law enforcement and how we end up with mostly very poor people incarcerated, mostly men, and mostly non-white races. Is it systemic racism, including our ingrained biases and fear of those who appear “other” or inherently dangerous? Is it that the police and prosecutors view themselves and the “good guys” in white hats protecting the community from criminals? Is it that we can’t seem to stop ourselves from creating more criminal laws (“that should be against the law”) to solve even our smallest problems?

Listen to our discussion and let us know what you think.

Chris Van Vechten:  253-666-8987; [email protected]

Evelyn Lopez:  @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

On June 12, 2020 Crosscut published a story about the barriers that Black political consultants were experiencing moving their work into higher profile legislative campaigns. The consultants were urged to “get on the list!” Significant political funding committees, such as the House Democratic Campaign Committee, have lists of favored political consultants. But how do you get on a secret list, even when that list is the key to your business growth and success?

We are joined by Tacoma political consultant Christina Blocker of the Archway Consulting Group to talk about the business of political consulting, the campaigns that she has designed and steered to success, and how she and her partners tried to break down the walls of silence and get on the list. Christina was a key figure in the Crosscut article and has been building Archway into a local political and social justice force.

And the same day that we recorded this episode, Crosscut came out with an updated story! Good progress and responses from the Senate Democrats and from the state Democratic Party, but there is sill work to be done to make sure all businesses have equal access to this line of work, and all candidates get to select the consultants who they feel will work best for their campaigns.

This is a fascinating subject, and so timely. While many of our leaders in the political and business communities are voicing their support for Black Lives Matter and Black business, can they walk the walk, or are they just talk? And who’s going to have a word with the HDCC? Because their response to this has been a grave disappointment. 

For your background, here are the Crosscut stories:

Thoughts on this, or suggestions for future episodes? Get in touch!

Evelyn Lopez:   @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

Nick Federici, who has worked on legislation and government relations in Olympia for 25+ years, joins us to talk about the state budget forecast (it’s bad), and how this will hurt groups that have little ability to withstand another financial hit after the great recession, deep cuts in safety net benefits, and now the COVID 19 pandemic.

Last time the state budget was in crisis, the approach to balancing rested on making cuts. This time we have to come up with a different approach. First, after the cuts of 2009-2013 there really isn’t much excess that can be trimmed. Second, cuts hurt those who have the least and need essential supports. And it’s long past time for us to deal with our old-fashioned money in/money out consumer based revenue streams.

We know “trickle down” doesn’t. We know austerity hurts those with the least. Are we ready to put our energies toward creating something better for our state?

Listen and let us know what you think

Evelyn Lopez:    @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

Tacoma’s Deputy Mayor Keith Blocker talks about his work with youth in the Black community, the legacy of anti-Blackness and systemic racism. We also discuss Black Lives Matter in Tacoma and where the movement may be going.

As cities and neighborhoods rise up to demonstrate against police brutality, we have our own worries about Tacoma Police practices after Manuel Ellis died in police custody. The medical examiner determined the death to be homicide due to asphyxia, but the community and local leaders still have very few answers to the most basic questions about what happened on March 3rd, and why everyone was left in the dark until June. In Tacoma, the protests have been almost entirely peaceful. Keith believes that is largely due to the efforts of Mayor Woodards, who has promised there will be accountability and answers.

The investigation into Manny Ellis’s death continues. The protests will continue as well. We are at a moment of potential. Are we ready to finally make changes for a more equal and equitable Tacoma? Are we ready to become anti-racists?

Let us know what you think.

Evelyn Lopez:  @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

YWCA Executive Director Miriam Barnett joins host Evelyn Lopez to talk about the upswing in domestic violence during the COVID 19 pandemic, and the particular challenges of helping victims who may be isolated at home with their abusers.

Also, the YWCA is moving toward completion of an beautiful housing project in Tacoma. Over 50 low income (really low income) apartments will be available in 2021 in downtown Tacoma with access to YWCA programs. This is a game changer for our city. We have been so fortunate to have Miriam’s vision and drive moving this project forward.

We also talk about the Black Lives Matter protests in Tacoma, and the extremely disturbing response from the police unions to Mayor Woodard’s call for accountability and answers on the death of Manny Ellis in Tacoma Police custody. Please listen, and send us your thoughts.

Evelyn Lopez:  @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

Evelyn Lopez talks with Rachel Graves, lawyer and former news journalist, about how the Coronavirus creates an even more complicated environment for people with disabilities. Also, viruses are often the trigger for the development of chronic fatigue and immune disorders. We don’t know what long-term health conditions might develop after exposure to this virus. Coronavirus is new, and it’s not something to downplay or ignore–it’s serious and deadly to those who are older or fragile due to underlying health conditions and disability.

Right now the decision to wear a mask is largely a matter of personal preference, but that may change. If you haven’t been wearing a mask, consider that with this virus we may be infected and spreading the disease for up to 14 days before we have symptoms. Wearing a mask around other people will help protect them as much as it may protect you, And we want to do that, right? We want to be a community that cares about each other.

Also, as Pierce County moves toward opening up businesses and services, wearing a mask will be required in places where you have person to person contact. Masks, along with thoughtful social distancing, hand washing, and using good judgment, will be critical to our health and wellness.

This is an incredibly stressful time, if we can try to move through our days thinking about our actions and giving each other the benefit of the doubt, things will work out. We may even be a stronger city as a result.

Ideas for other episodes? Feedback on what you’ve heard? Get in touch!

Evelyn Lopez:  @True_Tacoma     [email protected]

We are at week 10 of staying home, and it’s been difficult. So, when you come across a ray of sunshine and a spark of joy, you have to grab it. When we saw a facebook post asking the community to make art for thank you cards for our behavioral health and social workers, we wanted to know more.

Evelyn Lopez talks with Chelsea Talbert, Pierce County Partnership and Engagement Manager with Amara, a not-for-profit that serves children in foster care and the families who care for them. Chelsea wanted to show our behavioral health and social workers how much the community appreciates them, especially now when their efforts are more important than ever but may be less seen as we all work from home. This is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude, and also to come together and celebrate our Tacoma and Pierce County community.

Chelsea also discusses Amara’s programs and their efforts to support children in foster care, families, and adoption support. Plus, Amara has a huge, exciting project developing in Pierce County as they transform 29 acres of land into a hub for children, families, and nurturing and therapeutic programs.

You are going to want to check out these links:

And if you’d like to follow up with Chelsea, she’d love to hear from you: [email protected], Phone: 253.617.4622 (office)

Suggestions for future episodes, or feedback on our podcast? Please get in touch!

Evelyn Lopez: @True_Tacoma [email protected]

We delayed our weekly podcast to make sure we had the latest, up to the final deadline filings for all campaigns. And there were some last minute surprises!

The election season is on us, and it goes quickly with the primary in early August. Evelyn and Joe Lopez discuss the local political races, who filed, who is financed, and what is up with our Supreme Court campaigns???!!! Join us as we break down the county races, congressional district match ups and other interesting political contests.

If you have ideas for other episodes, or feedback on our podcast, please let us know.

Evelyn Lopez:   @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young joins Evelyn Lopez to talk about the County’s $158 million plan to fight COVID 19, stabilize the economy, and support our community. It’s a lot of money, and it won’t have the oversight of most county spending. The Council will get weekly reports, but transparency and accountability will be up to the County Executive.

Everyone knows that this public health emergency is crippling our economy, and that our state (county and city) will be especially hard hit because we fund a significant amount of our government through sales and business taxes, Getting people back to work is the path toward recovery, but we won’t be able to recover at all if more and more people become infected. So, figuring out how to reopen and restart our community is a delicate balancing act. Derek shares his thoughts on the process.

If you have ideas for future episodes, or questions about this one, please get in touch.

Evelyn Lopez:   @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

This year, Downtown on the Go partnered with Channel 253 to coordinate podcasts of the Friday Forums, and follow-up Crossing Division episodes to further explore the issues raised in the Forums. Go back to check out forums and follow-ups on Aging in Place from January, and Moving Forward in February. In March we were interrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic, but we wanted to wrap up the issues discussed at this year’s forums.

Tanisha Jumper, the City of Tacoma’s Director of Media and Communications, and Christina Clem, AARP Communications Specialist, join Evelyn Lopez to talk about Age Friendly Cities, and what Tacoma is doing, and will be doing, to make our communities a strong, nurturing, and healthy environment for everyone.

Whether you are 8 years old or 80 years old, everyone benefits from a mix of housing that meets the needs of singles, young adults juggling student loans, new parents, established families, seniors downsizing, and multi-family groups. When a community is walkable and has all the necessary services within a short drive or walk from home, everyone has what they need regardless of what limitations on travel or gathering might come up. And as we’ve realized with this pandemic, finding ways to communicate, share accurate information, and connect is critically necessary in emergencies and in building communities.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you’d like Tacoma communities to look like.

Evelyn Lopez:   @True_Tacoma   [email protected]

And a special thank you, once more, to Downtown on the Go Friday Forum sponsors: Parametrix, sponsor of the March Forum, Tacoma Arts Live for supporting the forums in 2020, and Channel 253 for being this year’s media sponsor.