Light 'Em Up

Welcome to the 70th episode of Light ‘Em Up! We’re excited and honored that you’ve joined us! We know your podcasting options are vast. As we air our final full-length, explosive episode of 2023, just like the 3 Wise Men — we come bearing very exciting news. Light ‘Em Up is actively being downloaded in 107 countries globally! Tonight, as the war continues to rage on in Gaza — we provide an intense, investigative journalistic focus on “Terrorism and the Terroristic Threat” — with a special focus on the war in Gaza and the barbaric October 7th terror attack in Israel — which caught its citizenry, the Israeli government, its defense forces (the IDF) completely and utterly by surprise, unaware and ill prepared as was the case with the terror attacks here, in the U.S., on 9/11/2001. Hamas leaders say they launched the attack on Israel because they believed the “Palestinian cause was slipping away, and that only violence could revive it”. In an assault without recent precedent in its complexity and scale, the militants crossed into Israel by land, sea and air, according to the Israeli military, leading to some of the first pitched battles. The attack, which was clearly meticulously planned — used rockets, paragliders, boats, motorcycles, other vehicles, and whatever other means they could use. The armed militants infiltrated the Jewish state and murdered around 1,200 people, including 30 Americans — injured over 5,400, and captured and fled with some 230+ hostages back deep into Gaza (more than 100 hostages held in the Gaza Strip have since been released). It’s been said that “the only thing we learn from history … is that we do not learn from it”. In this episode we challenge you to think critically as we delve into and unpack: ♦ The concept and phrase: One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. ♦Some myths about terrorism (stemming from our usage of the Global Terrorism Database). ♦ We highlight examples of designated terrorist organizations. ♦ We ask: Does it help to label a person or a group as being terrorists? “Terrorism” is a contested and politicized term that may be applied or rejected by different actors depending on their interests and perspectives. ♦ We’ll drill down on the main challenges of negotiating with terrorists and share some historic examples of successful negotiations that built trust through diplomacy and effective communication. This episode proved to be one of our most challenging and ambitious episodes of the year. I’m very proud of our team and the research behind it. Don’t forget to follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Buon’ Natale! Happy Hannukah! Thank you so much for being a loyal listener and a fan of Light ‘Em Up.

On this in-depth, investigative edition of Light ‘Em Up we expose what we maintain is an illegal invasion of your personal privacy and an illegal search and seizure in violation of the 4th Amendment. Picture this: During your annual physical checkup — your doctor draws near to you with the stethoscope and asks you to perform a few deep breaths — is she really listening to your lungs or is she looking for signs of extensive drug use or smelling for the use of alcohol? This is a very odd dilemma. The doctor writes a prescription for you, and has been doing so for years. Suddenly, without advanced notice, she has an “issue” with doing so. She says, “We need to run a toxicology screen on you”. A what? You may have no clue whatsoever that your rights are even being violated — by, of all people, your primary care physician and local hospital. In an extension of the “War on Drugs” — as it continues to target the poor and the neediest among us, many hospitals across the country have begun drug testing their patients, especially Medicaid recipients, through urinalysis. The 4th Amendment has been hotly debated since its ratification in 1791. How much do you know about the rights granted to you by the 4th Amendment? Subjecting patients, especially poor patients, seeking medication for a health condition to an intrusive seizure of his/her bodily fluids is an intentional act of intimidation. Threatening to withhold essential medications from patients — the use of condescending and coercive, bullying tactics through the use of a “pain contract” or a “controlled substance agreement” — serves only to further damage the quality of care that has already been compromised due to the way insurance companies have rigged the system in their favor. This bullying and forced compliance are completely contrary to the “do no harm” motto that has served as the foundational pillar of the medical profession since its inception. Who wants to have a medical doctor who in reality is a “narc” — eager to “report” anything she observes? What benefit is it to have a “doctor” that violates the doctor-patient trust that is essential and at the core of quality, comprehensive care? If patients distrust their physician, or feel stigmatized or distrusted by them, this will impact greatly upon the therapeutic relationship and deeply compromise care. Lacking sufficient financial means should not be a criminal offense — nor should a course of action apply to only one group of people as a “suspect class”, treating them as if they are not “worthy” to be afforded the same Constitutional rights as others. At Light ‘Em Up — we have always fought against THIS kind of disparate treatment. In this episode as we lobby for justice and speak truth to power, we shall: ♦ Dissect the 4th amendment and provide analysis of what the U.S. Supreme Court says about this process as we delve into what a “pain contract” is. ♦ Examine “controlled-substance agreements” for patients on chronic opioid therapy, with a keen eye on “indifferent enforcement” from a criminal justice perspective. Are they binding, or enforceable in a court of law? ♦ Dig into our case study: Rivers vs The Administration of Children Services (ACS) for the City of New York. It’s easy to turn a blind eye when the violation of rights applies to someone else. What happens when it happens to you? Tune in - be empowered! Check here for bonus content. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:

Tonight, on this provocative, incendiary and investigatory episode of Light ‘Em Up. We return to the scene of the crime! Your response was overwhelmingly favorable regarding our first episode with our special guest, the high-ranking police administrator, so we invited him back to the witness stand for another episode. With you in mind, we deliver another exclusive, in-depth, behind the scenes, “truth tellin’” session with the Assistant Chief of a small, rural police department in the “Magnolia State”. To be clear, he's speaking on the promise of his anonymity, identified only by his title. The municipality that he serves has approximately 8,500 people with not a lot of “pass through” traffic in the jurisdiction. It is staffed by approximately 30 accredited officers. Throughout his dedicated career in law enforcement, he’s always thought critically about racial disparities, especially stemming from his own personal experiences as early back as being a patrolman and from the training he was given. He researched and authored a rigorous in-depth white paper study entitled: “Seeing Color in Police Discretion”. His study interrogates the question ultimately of “what kind of a society do we want to live in”? It examines unconscious bias and how it may impact officer discretion and decision making. This analysis forces officers to self-reflect on why they are reacting in the style and manner that they do. This ultimately aides police to sit with and realize the consequences of their actions. We roll up our sleeves and dig deep on: ♦ Conscious and unconscious bias and we examine how this is more so a human problem and not necessarily solely a law enforcement problem. ♦ How police officers and administrators react to claims like selective enforcement and racial profiling, and he corrects and refocuses our thinking on the fact that racial profiling is pursued under the 14th amendment, not the 4th amendment. ♦His in-depth analysis of several landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases that directly impact upon law enforcement and how it is constitutionally bound to carry out its duties on a daily basis with a focus on: Whren v US — which held that “Any stop as long as it is based on a valid law or justification is a legal stop even if the reason(s) given for the stop is not the true motivation”. Thus, paving the way for “pretextual stops”. ♦ Terry v Ohio, Delaware v Prouse & Graham v Connor et al., ♦ The contentious topic of “qualified immunity.” In 1967, the Supreme Court recognized qualified immunity as a defense to §1983 claims. In 1982, the Supreme Court adopted the current test for the doctrine. Qualified immunity is generally available if the law a government official violated isn't “clearly established.” From time to time, it is imperative that you pinch yourself —reminding you that this is a high-ranking law enforcement administrator sharing these hard hitting, impacting truths that the majority of officers would stay silent on. He is a man of integrity, and it shows. Because we think the world of you, our listeners, and you’ve helped us grow to date to 104 countries globally, we’ve included additional in-depth analysis and an expansion of the specific methodology used in the rigorous white paper study for you. You can use this link to access this exclusive, bonus content. Note well: Email me at prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com in order to receive a copy of the white paper statistical study. In your request, we ask that you share with us one fact from this specific episode. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: All this y mucho, mucho más on this edition of Light ‘Em Up.

Welcome to this incendiary edition of Light ‘Em Up. We’re now being heard in 104 countries! We have an exclusive in-depth interview with a high-ranking police administrator with a small police department in the “Magnolia State”. Speaking on the promise of his anonymity, identified only by his title (Assistant Chief of Police), the municipality that he serves has about 8,500 people, staffed by about 30 accredited officers. The Assistant Chief mentioned that “working in a small town brings to focus the importance of the development of relationships. The good news is — is that at the present crime is low and it is getting lower” in this growing town. In this fact-laden episode we explore: ♦ The never-ending challenges of 21st century policing in a small town, including budgeting and the struggle to pay its personnel a competitive wage. ♦ Police “culture” & how retaining staff is a constant struggle. ♦ The findings following a comprehensive, in-depth study on the importance of prioritizing and reducing unconscious bias among officers entitled Seeing Color in Police Discretion. ♦ Unconscious bias and how this can affect officer discretion, views, and perceptions. ♦ The importance of discretion in law enforcement & the wide latitude officers have in their use of that discretion and how this can be relevant to non-law enforcement industries that you may serve. ♦ Systems and standards: The foundational set of good management practices, methods, systems, requirements that must be established to produce high-caliber, top quality, constitutional policing that the citizenry deserves. ♦ How policing changed in his municipality following the killing of George Floyd. He emphatically stated that, “The presence of the Black Lives Matter movement absolutely raised the bar for police officers and police leaders to know what they are talking about when it comes to equal protection and racial disparities. It no longer cuts it to say, ‘Hey we’re out here doing our jobs — leave us alone’”. He went on to say, “We really have to have real answers for why things look the way that they do and to me it really raised the bar for accountability. It really raised the bar for us — just because you’re not being held accountable internally — doesn’t mean that it’s not going to come externally … so, it is comin’ one way or another. We need to be competent in order to be able to explain ourselves and serve in a responsible manner.” While mistakes and errors soak up the bulk of media attention locally and nationally, it is imperative to pause and remember that police officers are people too and the vast majority of them serve with dignity, honor and often times in a heroic and valorous manner. Through many of the direct efforts of the Assistant Chief of Police, it is clear that his department has put a lot of work in internally which clearly shows on the external side of police management and administration into doing an excellent job at serving the good people of the Magnolia State. Tune in and be empowered and find out about the footballs in each trunk of every patrol car in their fleet and the awesome news about the police department sponsored youth football league. Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: Note well: Email me at prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com in order to receive a copy of the white paper statistical study. In your request, we ask that you share with us one fact from this specific episode.

On this educational and explosive edition of Light ‘Em Up, we’re excited to announce that we are being actively downloaded in 103 countries! All thanks to you! Ripped straight from the headlines from the Atlanta Fulton County Superior Courthouse where Donald J. Trump and 18 of his co-defendants have been indicted under the Georgia Racketeering Act — we’ll take an in-depth, investigative look at the Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). RICO was designed by the U.S. Congress in order to “whack” the mob — to be the ultimate “hit man”. The Act has extremely sharp legal teeth in order to accomplish that task. This legislation was signed into law by President Richard M. Nixon on October 15, 1970, as Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act (OCCA) as a means by which the federal government could combat organized crime. The Act today is covered in 18 USC §§ 1961-1968 and provides the legal means by which prosecutors can identify and convict those who operate illegal businesses. The roots of RICO, however, extend as far back as 1950, when the problem of criminal infiltration of legitimate business was first documented. The U.S. was a very different place then than it is today. Organized crime was a highly sophisticated, diversified and widespread activity that annually drained billions of dollars from America’s economy by the illegal use of force, fraud and corruption. Congress found that organized crime had extensively infiltrated and exercised corrupt influence over numerous legitimate businesses and labor unions throughout the U.S. and posed a “new threat to the American economic system”. Congress further established that organized crime derived a major portion of its power through money obtained from crimes such as gambling, loan sharking, theft and fencing of property, the drug trade, and other forms of social exploitation. While in prison together at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, the then Genovese Crime Family Mob Boss Vito Genevese -- mistakenly thinking that Joseph Valachi was a “rat” -- gave Valachi the “kiss of death”. That solitary action sent a chilling message to Valachi, putting the fear of death in his heart, mind and soul. Valachi sought revenge, choosing to “rat out” the mob before the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs, the FBI, the DOJ and the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation. Valachi’s testimony would prove crucial in the government’s efforts to combat organized crime, which would eventually lead to RICO. As we set the scene — we dive headfirst into: ♦ Defining the purpose, scope and breadth of RICO as well as provide its contextual and historical background and legislative origins. ♦ Comparing, contrasting and highlighting another high-profile RICO case currently underway in the very same courthouse as the former president’s (that case involves the rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams). ♦ The specific crimes that fall under the vast “umbrella” of RICO. ♦ How a person violates the RICO statute. ♦ The length of sentences for those found guilty of violating RICO. ♦ Important terms and relevant vocabulary words. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com The pursuit of justice is a slow and methodical process. There are costs involved with seeking justice! Tune in and be empowered, and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: We are here for you and because of you! All this y mucho mucho más on this explosive, investigatory edition of Light ‘Em Up.

With this comprehensive, investigatory edition of “Light ‘Em Up” we examine the hotly debated subject of consent decrees, pattern and practice investigations and the role the federal government has in trying to bring about just, equitable and constitutional policing. What appears to be a never-ending national crisis has exposed deep chasms in the relationships between local police departments and the communities they’re charged with “protecting and serving” all across the U.S. Unfortunately, the facts bear out that the police have a long and checkered track record of not being very good at policing themselves. When the police can’t or won’t police themselves — who then shall police the police? In Latin, the phrase “Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes” means exactly that: Who will guard the guards, themselves? In 1994 Congress gave the federal government unprecedented power to intervene against police misconduct among state and local law enforcement agencies. §14141 of the Violent Crime Control & Law Enforcement Act, commonly referred to as the 1994 Crime Bill, declares it unlawful for law enforcement agencies to engage in a pattern or practice that deprives a person of rights, privileges, or immunities protected by U.S. law. The U.S. Department of Justice is the governmental agency responsible for enforcing the Constitution and the laws of the federal government. The Civil Rights Division of the DOJ was created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. During those tumultuous times in our nation’s history, the Civil Rights Division focused on protecting the vote. The DOJ has a number of tools that are effective in bringing about lawful and fair policing. One process is a “pattern-or-practice” investigation. The first step in this very detailed legal process is to conduct a thorough and independent investigation to bring to light any persistent patterns of misconduct within a given police department. George Floyd’s death in May 2020 reignited a national conversation about how to reduce unconstitutional policing harms, especially the disproportionate unconstitutional harm some styles of policing can cause and impact upon minorities. Our learning objectives for this episode will be to: ♦ Define what a consent decree is. ♦ Challenge you to think critically on how the federal government might play an effective role in reining in police excesses and abuses and work to reshape policing. ♦ Examine the role and purpose that consent decrees serve in 21st century policing. ♦ Provide the historic background on why The U.S. Congress gave the DOJ authority to address systemic police misconduct. ♦ Explore the details on how the DOJ opens a pattern or practice investigation and what exactly do such investigations involve? ♦ Shed light on the role of a “monitor” and their duties and expectations as they oversee the consent decree process. ♦ Highlight arguments of a vociferous group of nay-sayers and detractors of the DOJ — who with their conspiracy-filled rhetoric foment and further hatred for the Federal Government just as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers do. They not only want to halt the practice of consent decrees — but their venomous ramblings sound as if they want to hurt career professionals within the DOJ — which is clearly against the law. The truth is essential to our democracy! These cities and entities are currently under consent decrees. Tune in and be empowered, and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: Thanks and enjoy!

Tonight, on this intensively focused, informative, investigative journalistic edition of Light ‘Em Up we focus our spotlight on a problem that is often described as an unfortunate, intractable, unavoidable and daily reality among the members of law enforcement in the criminal justice system. We reveal the story behind the story on “Testi-lying”— when police lie. Blue Lies Matter! It’s unfortunate, but law enforcement officers lie. One of the most notorious lies told by police took place just a few years ago, when the Minneapolis Police Department initially described George Floyd’s death as resulting from a “medical incident during police interaction”. Police departments all over the world have engaged in and been caught in illegal lying to bolster their conviction rate. A Brooklyn, NY District Attorney has publicly named 7 blacklisted officers whom have been found to NOT be credible. Evidence suggests that police officers commit perjury or other forms of testimonial deception more often than the public and juries have realized. The term “testilying” was coined by police officers in New York City. It usually refers to perjury committed by a police officer; however, it has also been used to describe other forms of in-court deception. The lies of the police hurt people. Such lies have the potential to ruin a person’s life — by putting them in prison for a long, long time or by even taking their life. Law enforcement officers are bound by an oath to protect all citizens equally. Doing so requires consistency, compassion and respect for the dignity of all people and the adherence to the principles of the U.S. Constitution. An officer dishonors the badge by using excessive force, lying under oath, falsifying their paperwork. The investigator who lies about evidence loses credibility, risks false confessions and undermines the appearance of fairness in court. Trust is essential to police-community relations and public safety. The use of deceptive tactics can only serve to undermine these relationships, bringing us to the present-day reality where cops who were once revered are now held in contempt and treated with suspicion due to the damage that they themselves have done to their reputations and the profession as a whole. The fact of the matter is that the reputation of the entire law enforcement profession is tarnished when one single solitary officer betrays their oath to protect and serve in accordance with the laws that govern our great nation, not extrajudicially. In this explosive episode we dig deep and deliver on: ♦ The 4 Big Lies that police often tell. ♦ What the legal term “habeas corpus” means. ♦ What is a suppression hearing and the purpose it serves in the criminal justice process. And as education is always a key component of Light ‘Em Up … ♦ We examine another Supreme Court landmark case, Frazier v Cupp 394 U.S. 731 (1969). In this case the court held that “On its own, police deception in interrogations did not automatically constitute misconduct.” This case pretty much gave law enforcement the green light to lie and use deception. The truth is certainly under attack! The truth is well worth fighting for! Truth is something to be leveraged; not concealed. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Tune in and be empowered, and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: We are here for you and because of you! Thanks much! Phil Rizzo Executive Producer

This explosive edition of “Light ‘Em Up” — which is currently being downloaded in 100 countries — is packed from the beginning to end with rock solid information to enlighten, educate and empower you! Our intense investigative journalistic focus is on recently breaking news items from the Jayland Walker case. At the airing of this episode, it will have marked 1 year since Jayland Walker was gunned down in a hail of bullets, in Akron, Ohio. Walker, a young unarmed black man, was shot at 94 times by 8 Akron Police Officers — struck 45 times and killed in a parking lot in downtown Akron on July 27, 2022 — after what was an unnecessary police pursuit that resulted from a cracked taillight and an inoperable license plate light. Through counsel, the surviving family members of Jayland Walker have filed a 32-page federal civil rights action in the U.S. District Court for The Northeastern District of Ohio, Eastern Division on behalf of the estate of Jayland Walker. It submits that the unlawful use of excessive force by Akron law enforcement officers violated Jayland’s Fourth Amendment rights, among other things. The civil rights lawsuit is against The City of Akron, its mayor, chief of police, and individual officers involved (directly and indirectly) in the shooting which took Jayland Walker’s life. The prayer for “judgement for relief” in the lawsuit against the defendants jointly and severally is for not less than $45 million. $1 million for each bullet that struck Jayland. Along those lines, as education is always a crucial aspect of Light ‘Em Up — as a case study we’ll showcase and share with you the fact pattern in Tennessee v Garner — as we feel that case is highly relevant to the case of Jayland Walker. Tennessee v Garner is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case from 1984 which required the high court to determine the constitutionality of the use of deadly force to prevent the escape of an apparently unarmed suspected felon. In this exclusive episode we’ll: ♦ Highlight the details of the lawsuit filed. ♦ Explore and investigate the issue of excessive force and drill deep to see if the civil rights of Jayland Walker were violated under the color of authority by members of the Akron Police Department. ♦ Disclose more details from the BCI Report. ♦ Discuss aspects of The Civil Rights Act of 1871— which is a federal statute, 42 U.S.C. §1983—that allows people to sue the government for civil rights violations. ♦ And, we are very excited to be able to share exclusive audio from the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Tennessee v Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985) with Chief Justice Earl Warren presiding. Much of our listenership comes from people just like yourself who know the value of fact-based, well-researched reporting that demands transparency from the most powerful people and institutions in our country. You can enjoy our podcast at work, home or at play. You don’t want to miss this educational opportunity to learn more about this explosive case that has further divided many of the city’s residents from the Akron Police Department and City government. Facts matter! Tune in and hear them! We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Tune in and be empowered, and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: We are here for you and because of you! “The truth is the burden and duty of leadership” and the truth is under attack! The truth is worth defending and we are here to do so!

Thank you for tuning in! On this revealing, exclusive and brand-new episode of Light ‘Em Up — our hope is that we enlighten, educate and empower you with knowledge that you previously didn’t have. Keep ever-present in mind, learning can be fun! As education is always a key component of Light ‘Em Up — we expose those things that many would wish to cover-up. The truth forces growth and shines bright light into dark spaces, holding people in power to account. At the release of this episode, we hear on every channel discussion regarding “when will the trial of former President Donald J. Trump take place”? Raise your hand if you know a lot about your 6th Amendment constitutional rights. We examine this crucial constitutional amendment, which confers rights that aren’t often discussed outside of a courtroom, yet they are of vital importance in defending, protecting and preserving cherished liberties in everyday society. Ratified on December 15th, 1791, the 6th Amendment guarantees a cluster of rights designed to make criminal prosecutions more accurate, fair and legitimate. Rights such as: ♦ a speedy and public trial ♦ an impartial jury consisting of jurors from the state and district in which the crime was alleged to have been committed ♦ to be informed of the charges ♦ to confront and call witnesses ♦ and to have an attorney present with you. Did you know that it wasn’t until 1967 in Klopfer v North Carolina that the U.S. Supreme Court held that the speedy trial clause was applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment? Certainly, all of your rights are important, but the 6th Amendment is crucial, especially should you find yourself thrusted into the midst of the criminal justice system having to defend your life and liberty. The 6th Amendment has been described as the central feature of our adversarial system, but because the Supreme Court has so rarely articulated its meaning, the definition of a “speedy trial” has almost entirely been left to lower courts. Our learning objectives will be to define, discuss and think critically as we dissect the elements that form the foundation of the 6th Amendment, with a special focus on the right to a speedy trial. We shine our investigative journalistic spotlight on: ♦ The verbatim language of the 6th Amendment ♦ The Federal Speedy Trial Act of 1974 ♦ Guideposts, milestones and time limits set by the Act ♦ As Ter’Rion Dunn celebrated a recent birthday, again, incarcerated, reaching the milestone of 1,281 days held in pre-trial detention, we re-focus the light of the truth on Alabama v Ter’Rion Dunn and the tragic story of Kalif Browder in the state of New York. ♦ Rule 48 (b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure And we are very excited to be able to share exclusive audio from the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Barker v Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972) with Chief Justice Earl Warren presiding. Much of our listenership comes from people just like yourself who know the value of fact-based, well-researched reporting that demands transparency from the most powerful people and institutions in our country. You can enjoy our podcast at work, home or at play. You don’t want to miss this educational opportunity to learn more about your 6th Amendment rights and how to keep yourself safe. Facts matter the most in a time of crisis. Sadly, we are living in a constant state of crisis. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:

Peace be with you on this reflective and somber Memorial Day. Thank you very much for joining us! We are excited to share this investigative and educational brand-new episode with you! We currently are being downloaded in 100 countries, globally! On this incendiary edition of Light ‘Em Up, ripped straight from the headlines — we examine the New York City Subway choking death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old, unhoused black man who after the tragic death of his mother suffered and struggled extensively with mental illness. Jordan’s death on May 1st came on the dirty floor of a northbound F Train at the hands of Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old, white subway rider, from Queens, NY, described as a former decorated U.S. Marine. We ask the question outright, is Daniel Penny a Gotham City “hero” or a “man-slaughtering-menace”? A GiveSendGo Account has raised close to $3 million for Perry’s legal defense fund. Can you think of a worse way to be killed, than by being asphyxiated? This is precisely what happened to George Floyd at the knee of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Like a laser-beam we’re focused on this case and the breaking news surrounding it! Our learning objectives will examine: ♦ The role race played in this case, if any. Many people have considerable doubt and question if the roles were reversed — if a black man choked to death a white man — there would certainly be hell to pay! ♦ The fact that Mr. Penny was granted bail ($100K) and released. ♦ We review the 5 M.O.D.’s (Manners of Death). ♦ We probe if the criminal charge is correct or should this incident merit a more serious charge such as murder? ♦ If there was a “duty to intervene” for the riders on the subway car? ♦ How a “reasonable person” is expected to act under the law. ♦ An up-close analysis of NY Penal Law §125.15, Manslaughter in the Second Degree. ♦ And we reflect on our relationship towards our fellow man — especially those who are most in need and perhaps spiraling downward in the grips of a mental health crisis. We so often give “lip-service” as to how mental health “matters” — yet we do little to nothing to help those in the most need. Jordan Neely was on the City’s “radar” for years before his death on the Subway — yet he continued to slip through the cracks and wasn’t able to get lasting and impacting help. This was a preventable tragedy. From coast to coast our country seems to be gripped by fear. We’re reminded of the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great Depression. He helped the American people regain faith in themselves. He brought hope as he promised prompt, vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural Address, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. We have exclusive audio from a press conference we attended during pre-production of and in preparation for this episode with The Office of The NY Public Advocate Mr. Jumaane Williams, as we have boots on the ground in the Big Apple. In a time of uncertainty, facts provide calm, reassurance and clarity! The truth must be investigated and defended at all costs! We pride ourselves on asking the tough questions — so that you’ll be informed going forward. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Tune in and be empowered and simultaneously follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: We are here for you and because of you! Thanks! Executive Producer— Phil Rizzo

Thank you so much for helping us achieve our goal of being actively downloaded in 100 countries, globally! On this explosive edition of Light ‘Em Up, ripped straight from the headlines — like a laser, we re-focus our attention on the breaking news in the killing of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old, unarmed black man, in Akron, Ohio, our hometown. None of this story is foreign to us, we live here, we work here, we’ve raised our families here, we broadcast from here. After what seemed like an eternity — the 10-month investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Office within the office of the Attorney General for the State of Ohio — the investigators concluded their report of all actions taken in this use-of-force investigation. On Monday, April 17th a Special Summit County Grand Jury that was empaneled to hear the case of the 8 Akron Police Officers who shot 94 rounds, hitting Jayland Walker 46 times, returned a “no bill” verdict and none of the officers will be indicted on any charges stemming from their actions in gunning down Walker in a hail of bullets in an empty parking lot of the Bridgestone Center for Research & Technology at approximately 12:40 am on June 27th, 2022. Rhetorically we ask, “who gets shot 46 times and lives”? These 8 officers of the Akron Police Department, once they decided to fire upon Jayland Walker, they were determined to shoot until he was dead. Sadly, it has become more and more apparent that “contempt of cop” can easily get you killed in 2023. The police have very little tolerance for those who don’t immediately “comply”. “Comply or die” sadly, has become more of a standard versus an anomaly or aberration. While there is no way that we can adequately cover the entire story in 1 episode, in this episode, our learning objectives are itemized below, as we endeavor to educate and empower you with facts that explain: ♦ What is a Grand Jury? ♦ What does a Grand Jury consist of? ♦ What is the Grand Jury’s role in the judicial process? ♦ The State of Ohio’s BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s) Official Report. ♦ The evidence, sifting through and combing-over the detailed fact-pattern in this case. ♦Separating the facts from fiction and the truth from innuendo. The truth is difficult to hear for those who would wish to cover it up! The truth has no agenda and is very much worth fighting for! This case has E-X-P-L-O-D-E-D with breaking news! We’re on the scene with members of our team with boots on the ground in order to keep you up to the minute and informed. You’ll also hear: ♦ The original police radio transmission of the chase as it unfolded. ♦ A portion of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s press conference. ♦ And Akron’s Chief of Police, Steven Mylett, regarding the aftermath of his department shooting tear gas canisters to disperse a crowd that had been peaceful for two previous hours marching and protesting in accordance with their 1st amendment sanctioned constitutional rights. Note well: We advise you ahead of time — regarding the audio of the original chase you will hear coarse language and you will hear multiple gunshots; anticipate them and be forewarned, some may be disturbed by this content. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts at prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Tune in and be empowered and at the same time follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here: Thanks! Executive Producer Phil Rizzo

Welcome to this incendiary episode of Light ‘Em Up! Tonight, on this explosive investigative edition we examine the death of Leevon Smith. We’re certain that his name won’t ring a bell. BANG! BANG! BANG! On January 18th, 2023 Smith was shot 3 times at point-blank range on a sidewalk near the 1300 block of West 90th Street in Chicago by off-duty Chicago police officer Precious Dunn. Levon Smith grabbed Precious Dunn. Were his intentions to rob her or assault her? He shouldn’t have grabbed her. Beyond that we can’t speak for him, nor can he – he is dead. You will see on video, suddenly, and without warning, Leevon Smith grabs Dunn around her upper body. Is he trying to take her gun? Did he even know she had a gun? He certainly found out quickly that she was armed. You can audibly hear him call her a b*tch. The video will show a life and death struggle ensued. BANG! Dunn shouts, “I’ll kill you, watch this”! 2 more shots ring out. In this episode – we deliver the exclusive raw, agony-filled audio of Leevon Smith after each individual shot – as he lay on the ground bleeding out. We’ll provide a link so you can have an eyewitness view of the video of the shooting taken from a nearby surveillance camera. Many people commenting on this case on social media have expressed that “Leevon Smith got what he deserved.” Others feel what the off-duty female cop delivered went beyond self-defense and in a blink of an eye became “street justice” – stepping over the line from being proportional and justifiable force. As a case study we will examine not only the specific fact pattern in this case, but also, we hope to educate you, (our listeners), on crucial facts that you need to know. We’ll unpack what exactly are the “3 prongs” of Graham v Conner as they apply to the lawful use of force by law enforcement officers. We endeavor to clarify the narrow and very limited prohibitions imposed on police and the use of force. We challenge you to think critically about the myriad of legal questions that this unique case poses as you listen in: We want to involve you actively and directly. ● Was Precious Dunn acting as a private citizen or in her capacity as a police officer? ● Will the fact that she failed to render any aid to her victim expose her to any criminal liability? ● Will this shooting be ruled as a justifiable homicide? ● Will she or should she be indicted? ● Was the use of force necessary, objectively reasonable, proportional and lawful? ● Was this an overt act of self-defense protected within the framework of the current law or did the off-duty Chicago Police Officer step over the legal boundaries for what is permitted by law and commit 2nd degree murder, exposing herself to criminal liability? We examine what exactly is the “reasonableness standard” of the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that influences police behavior today. This is a must listen for ALL, especially for individuals of color, as the 6th leading cause of death among black men comes at the hands of a law enforcement officer. We advise you ahead of time, you will hear coarse language and you will hear gunshots in the audio clip that are extremely loud; anticipate them and be forewarned. This investigation is currently on-going and it may take as much as 18 months in order to complete. Please send this episode to a friend. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts at prizzo@rpgconsultingltd.com Tune in and be empowered and at the same time follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:

We're proud to announce that we're being downloaded in 99 countries! In this explosive episode we share our final installation of an incredibly informative and intense 3-part series of conversations with our most downloaded special guest, Dr. Sandy Womack, Jr., the Region 3 area superintendent of the Columbus, Ohio school district and a lifelong educator with 30+ years of experience. He’s the author of two books which are a must for every educator and leader: ●"Even the best of plans go astray" and ●"Creating Successful Urban Schools: The Urban Educators Month by Month Guide to School Improvement”. In our hard-hitting, truth-telling and daring conversations, we’ve covered topics that very few others have the courage to unpack, speaking truth to power on the topics of: ● Effective 21st Century Policing ● The truth about Critical Race Theory (CRT), and ● We set the record straight on the current state of affairs in Ohio regarding charter schools and voucher programs (under Governor Mike DeWine’s budget proposals) and how this will impact public education and ultimately the school to prison pipeline. Dr. Womack says, “25% of the state budget appears to be set aside for charter and voucher schools,” which he says is “significant” because “only about 11% of the students in Ohio will attend charter schools. “It sets the agenda, because you truly put your money where your mouth is.” ● We look back on the 50th Anniversary of Hip-hop music and how it has impacted urban education and beyond. He stresses the impacting force of an education and knowledge of self. Dr. Womack mentioned that he “came up in the era where you had ‘conscious rap’ from artists like KRS-One, Public Enemy, The Pharcyde and De La Soul”, just to mention a few. Dr. Womack shares that, “Hip hop has made a tremendous impact because it gave a lot of young African Americans the ability to see themselves in a positive light – through music and the ability to use their vocabulary and true to life story-telling.” ● The importance of celebrating “the firsts” (first black pioneers and significant role models of color) in a world that goes out of its way to try to devalue these accomplishments. Dr. Womack says, “recognizing and identifying ‘firsts’ is very important to do, because so many people today are trying to strip people of color of their history.” We drilled down on the de-regulation of educational certification (something that is not a new phenomenon), and discussed the rarely-mentioned fact that hundreds of thousands of Black educators lost their jobs when Brown v Board of Education was implemented in 1954. A case argued by the great legal scholar and pioneer Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall exposed the fact that unqualified white milkmen were used to replace qualified black educators when Brown v Board was implemented. These educators were leading professionals in education and in their communities. In the decisive leadership of Dr. Womack, Jr., which has led many young people back onto the path to progress, “truth” is at the root of his essential core. The truth “cultivates”. It “digs up” … it “reveals”. His dear grandmother, Alice Womack once said, "the difference between a lie and the truth is normally just half of the story.” Tune in and get your truths! Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:

As we promised, this is a continuation of our intensive discussion during Black History Month, a “Light ‘Em Up” “After-dark Special Edition”. In this empowering episode, our returning special guest, Dr. Sandy Womack Jr., the Region 3 area Superintendent of the Columbus City School District (the largest district in the State of Ohio) defines for us exactly what Critical Race Theory (CRT) is. He shares that CRT is an academic and legal framework that denotes that systemic racism is part of American society — from education and housing to employment and healthcare. It recognizes that racism is more than the result of individual bias and prejudice. It is embedded in laws, policies and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities. According to CRT, societal issues like Black Americans’ higher mortality rate, outsized exposure to police violence, the school-to-prison pipeline, denial of affordable housing, and the rates of the death of Black women in childbirth are not unrelated anomalies”. “CRT is a doctoral epistemology, no one is teaching that outside of graduate and doctorate level courses. Kids in K-12 are not doing anything on that level,” Womack said. Faithful Fox News watchers, tele-prompter-readers such as Tucker Carlson, political hacks like Marjorie Taylor Greene & QAnon conspiracists who don’t read have co-opted the term “critical race theory” and use it as talking points and as a catch-all and rallying cry to silence any discussions about systemic racism, ban the truthful teaching of American history, and reverse progress toward racial justice. Dr. Womack rhetorically asks, “Who benefits from not telling the truth?” The term CRT has been unjustifiably used to include all diversity and inclusion efforts, race-conscious policies, and education about racism, whether or not they draw from CRT. Attempts to ban CRT are really attacks on free speech, on discussions about the truthful history of race and racism in the U.S., and the lived experiences of Black people and other people of color. Lawmakers and proponents of the bans insist they are advocating for a balanced and “patriotic” education. In reality, these bans do the exact opposite: deny the truth about our nation’s history, silence dissent, and punish those who speak the truth to counter whitewashed falsehoods. For 30+ years Dr. Womack has labored tirelessly to destroy the “deficit mindset” that plagues so many of our inner-city youth. He shared unequivocal truths with us regarding how “in the U.S. we have laws, rules and policies that have been set in place that have impacted African American people economically, politically and legally — policies that have impacted the ability of certain indigenous and marginalized people to improve economically, educationally and have access to better and affordable health care … etc., cannot move forward unless these facts are acknowledged”. He spoke eloquently and convincingly how “So many people have fought and lost their lives for the right to vote and to be enfranchised” and the importance of being an educated, informed voter. He expressed that, “until we embrace everybody that’s here (in the U.S.) and let everybody have a chance to tell their truth … then we as a people become weaker”. Tune in and be exposed to the truth which always disturbs, divides but ultimately delivers right here on “Light ‘Em Up” - now being downloaded in 99 countries. You can find a wealth of resources and more detailed information about Dr. Womack, Jr. by following this link: www.urbanschooleducation.com Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:

Welcome to this Special Edition of Light ‘Em Up. We are currently being downloaded in 99 countries globally! Tonight, we feel very fortunate, highly honored and richly blessed to deliver this Special Black History Month “Short Sojourn” with one of our most popular guests, Dr. Sandy Womack Jr. Dr. Womack Jr. is the Region 3 area superintendent of the Columbus, Ohio school district (the largest in Ohio) and a lifelong educator with 30+ years of experience. He is an inspirational, motivational leader, frequent keynote speaker, role model, an Urban Educational Transformation Expert, and the author of 2 books: "Even the best of plans go astray" and "Creating Successful Urban Schools: The Urban Educators Month by Month Guide to School Improvement”. The cornerstone of Dr. Womack Jr.’s educational philosophy that has led to phenomenal positive outcomes is that "exposure changes expectations and experiences change lives”. Dr. Womack Jr. earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Ashland University. He is a devout man of learning, wisdom and history – most importantly to me, he’s a dear friend of mine. In this in-depth, educational and explosive episode we examine the root cause of: ● The “culture of brutality, the ingrained and the tireless dedication to lie and cover up the truth” in the policing profession. Just what does “21st century policing” require in the wake of the killing of Tyre Nichols, in Memphis, TN on January 7, 2023? ● The cancer(s) that continue to plague the policing profession – the extra-judicial, excessive use(s) of force under the color of authority. Dr. Womack Jr. expresses that The Kerner Commission got it right, in 1968, but no one listened! ● The importance of the appreciation of black and brown lives – that our society and especially members of law enforcement clearly lack an appreciation for. ● The fact that even today there are still 2 separate and unequal sets of rules in the U.S. as it relates to contact with law enforcement and persons of color, and this fact continues to be perpetuated in many other areas of society, as well, such as education, financial red-lining, justice, equity, health care and fair & decent housing, just to name a few. ● What does Dr. Womack Jr. mean by "stinkin’ thinkin’”? ● He tests our knowledge of U.S. History and lays down the challenge to name 10 famous African-Americans in 60 seconds or less that ARE NOT athletes, entertainers, from slavery or civil rights. ● He probes us to see if we know who was the first black governor in the U.S. I’m fairly certain you won’t know this answer, unless you “Google” it. ● And he challenges us to “go deep” and truly “press into” our critical thinking and self-educate ourselves by reading the “Willie Lynch Letter and The Making of a Slave” which concerns the brutal and inhumane psychology behind the African slave trade and exposes the twisted thinking and the realities of life for a slave in the colonies. If that wasn’t action-packed enough, he even throws in some profound wisdom from his uncle that states “If you’re not sittin’ at the table … you often are on the plate”. You certainly need not be a person of color to benefit from the (always) profound messages shared by Dr. Womack Jr., you need only to be human. You can shop and see all of the extremely valuable resources he has available for educational purposes at this link. Hey! Don’t forget to follow our cross-promotional sponsors Newsly and Feedspot here:

Welcome to this incendiary, investigative episode of Light ‘Em Up! As we wrap-up our multi-episode series where we’ve analyzed how nuanced and deadly policing the mentally ill has become – tonight, we dig deep into the killing of Brian Umana at the hands of 2 officers with the National City, CA Police Department (NCPD), near San Diego. Brian, 28, the father of a little girl, found himself in the unrelenting grip of a mental health crisis that was rapidly spiraling downward. He suffered from bipolar disease and schizophrenia, according to our special guest, his brother Roberto Umana, whom we have the distinct honor and privilege of speaking with. ● In the U.S. about 1 in 5 adults suffer from a diagnosable mental illness in any given year. ● According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, 43.8 million adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year. Brian needed help – not 10 bullets. He needed to be afforded the chance to be taken to the hospital and assessed and treated – as is the case in New York City where Mayor Eric Adams has ordered law enforcement to bring those who are on the streets and suffering mental health issues to a hospital for “involuntary hospitalization”. Sadly, we see this far too often. People with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement. Barefoot, in the rain and silently pacing back and forth in the early morning hours of October 8, 2021, holding a machete in his right hand, was how the NCPD encountered Brian when they arrived on the scene. Within 3 minutes he was dead. Shot 10 times by officer Evan Davis and Michael Sportelli (4 times with a handgun and 6 more times with a long gun at close range). The NCPD had a K-9 officer on scene and they never deployed him. They could have employed a less-lethal bean-bag weapon, they never deployed it. A taser was deployed but did not subdue Brian. We ask: What was the pressing rush to bring this encounter to an immediate conclusion? The sidewalk was empty of people. It was raining at about 4 am in the morning. After the officers felt that they had given a sufficient number of “commands”, they moved in and approached Brian -- Brian didn’t approach them. Why has the city of National City and its police department “stonewalled” this family for more than a year in not releasing the police report regarding the shooting? The Umana family has now filed a federal lawsuit against the city, police department and officers involved in the shooting for the violation of Brian’s civil rights under the color of authority. It could easily be argued that from watching the body worn police camera footage that the National City Police Department could stand to undergo far more rigorous Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and educate its officers with far more zeal and rigor. Too often, the police are thrust into a position of providing a type of “triage service” to the mentally ill that they are neither trained to deliver nor prepared to perform. Ride along with us as we investigate the tragic killing of Brian Umana - a heart-breaking story that certainly should and could have been avoided – as we continue our quest to bring freedom, justice, dignity and equality – and to endeavor to persevere in being a “voice” for the “voiceless” – in a time when the truth is under attack. You can find Roberto’s petition for justice on behalf of his brother, Brian, here. Follow our cross-promotional sponsors Newsly and Feedspot here: Executive Producer, Phil Rizzo

Happy New Year to You! As we kick off our 4th Season, we are currently being downloaded in 98 countries – a fact that we are tremendously proud of and have worked extremely hard to achieve. Thank you for helping us achieve this momentous goal! On this premier, explosive, new episode, we drill vast, deep and wide to bring you the facts, not the fiction. This is another eye-opening episode as we continue with our in-depth analysis focusing on the Police and their contact with the mentally ill. In September 2022 there were at least 60,252 homeless people, with some 19,310 homeless children, sleeping each night in New York City’s main municipal shelter systems. Eric Adams, the 110th Mayor of the Capital of The World (New York City), has announced and undertaken some very bold moves to attempt to address a “crisis we see all around us”. His administration announced a major push to “remove people with severe, untreated mental illness from the city’s streets and subways” with a process called Involuntary hospitalization. The mayor expressed that we have a “moral obligation” to help those that are not in the position to help themselves. This policy will no doubt face strong opposition from civil liberty groups as it will examine what “liberty” and “freedom from “governmental intrusions” are all about. Does a person lose any of their Constitutional protections simply because they mumble to themselves, have clothes that are soiled, torn and in tatters or haven’t had a shower in months? Some critics have equated this process with “State sponsored kidnapping”. While it may sound harsh to some, imagine if you were taken somewhere against your will, how would that make you feel? The mayor’s announcement comes at a time when there is an intensive national debate about rising crime and the role of the police – especially dealing with those who are already in a delicate, fragile and tenuous mental state to begin with and may be spiraling downward into a deeper mental health crisis. Join us as we: ● Examine the issues both pro and con, defining the processes that are in play. ● Investigate what other states and cities have done and are attempting to do to daily address this issue and those individuals who lack adequate housing and suffer from some degree of mental illness. ● Provide you with un-cut, exclusive audio of the mayor in his historic speech at City Hall. ● Customarily ask the tough questions that get at the crux of the issue. ● Have our pulse on the city with two other “Light ‘Em Up: Action-Exclusive Reports” from our New York affiliate and social justice correspondents on scene. We’ve worked tirelessly to try to be the “Voice of the people”. Please share an episode with a friend. We have more than 52 episodes to choose from. We’d like to thank our friends at Feedspot.com as recently we were honored by being ranked #6 in their most recent poll out of the 40 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts. Visit their blog at www.Feedspot.com or simply follow this link: Best 40 Criminal Justice Podcasts You Follow in 2022 (feedspot.com). And for all your news and current affairs check out our friends at Newsly by visiting https://newsly.me. Use the promo code L1GHTEMUP to launch your 10% savings. The truth is under attack! The truth is worth fighting for! Thank you so much! Phil Rizzo Executive Producer

It is great to be back with you! As we prep to close out another fantastic year filled with one accomplishment after another for “Light ‘Em Up” … which included new sponsorships … and new underwriters - we wanted to focus on what is most important to us other than searching out the truth. We wanted to take some special time to recognize you, our listeners for your (TSL) time spent listening to us throughout this past year. We thank you for another fantastic year of growth and achievements, and express our appreciation for your wonderful engagement and your role in helping us grow to 97 countries globally as we close out Season 3. We never thought this kind of success would be something that we could attain, and we never were concerned about our growth at the inception of this project. Initially we set out to tell the truth about topics of importance in the U.S. criminal justice system --- and look what it has become! We have been able to advocate for so many people. The corporate plan is to take the remainder of the year off in order to rest for a week, recover and enjoy some quality time with our families. We then will begin the process for Season 4 of Light ‘Em Up where we strive to achieve new goals and break the 100 country-mark with the reach of our podcast. Also, to add more sponsors and underwriters. The truth is under attack – and the truth is worth defending! We have labored tirelessly to dig deep, vast and wide to bring you a special insight that you really won’t find anywhere else. We are loyal, consistent and dedicated to you, our listeners. We are truly here for you and because of you! We close out the year being ranked #7 … having reached our highest ranking of #6 earlier in the year… according to Global Statistics with Feedspot.com for the: “Top 40 Criminal Justice Podcasts of 2022 That You Must Listen To”. Our commitment to you here on Light ‘Em Up is that we’ve endeavored to tackle topics that have a real impact in your daily lives. We’ve worked tirelessly to try to be the “Voice of the people”. Please consider joining our Criminal Justice Foundation Justice Rolls Down and its page found on Facebook as well as our worldwide presence on YouTube at: Rizzo's Protective Group. Here is our complete catalogue. Here is our last full episode of the year regarding “Policing the Mentally Ill”. This advocacy piece touched a lot of lives. We’d like to thank our friends at Feedspot.com as recently we were honored by being ranked #7 in their most recent poll out of the 40 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts. Visit their blog at www.Feedspot.com or simply follow this link: Best 40 Criminal Justice Podcasts You Follow in 2022 (feedspot.com) And for all your news and current affairs check out our friends at Newsly by visiting https://newsly.me. Use the promo code L1GHTEMUP to launch your 10% savings. We thank you and we look forward to you joining us in 2023! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to each and every one of our listeners. You'll hear from us early on in January 2023. Thank you! Phil Rizzo Executive Producer

Welcome to this impacting episode of Light ‘Em Up! We are grateful to you for joining us. Please tell a friend about us! Remind them that they can find our full catalogue here on every major platform where you get your podcasts! How often do you see or hear where a person who is suffering extremely from some type of a mental health crisis which ends with the person being killed at the hands of law enforcement? Once is too many. I’ve observed this far too many times to count. Tonight, we center our investigative journalistic focus on: Policing the mentally ill. This is one of the biggest challenges facing today’s law enforcement officers. We’ll examine the role law enforcement plays and how their responses have life or death consequences – impacting those who are most vulnerable and in the throes of a mental health crisis which is spiraling rapidly downward. It is important to note that the vast majority of people with mental health conditions are not violent and do not violate laws, but rather are more likely to be victims of violence themselves. ● Individuals with severe mental illness generate less than 1 in 10 calls for police service and occupy at least 1 in 5 of America’s prison and jail beds. ● In the U.S. about 1 in 5 adults (20%) suffer from a diagnosable mental illness in any given year. ● According to NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) 43.8 million adults in the U.S. experience mental illness annually. It is imperative for you to know if your local police force has a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). CIT training is a specialized police curriculum that aims to reduce the risk of serious injury or death during an emergency interaction between persons with mental illness and police officers. The lack of mental health crisis services across the U.S. means that law enforcement officers serve as first responders to most crises. A CIT program is an innovative, community-based approach to improve the outcomes of these encounters. This is especially important if you, a loved one, family member, friend or colleague may suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, or any mental health challenges or issues. This multi-layer patient-focused collaborative approach can often be the difference between life and death for the person experiencing a mental crisis situation. In this timely and important episode, we’ll unpack: ● Riveting case studies of Joshua Barre, Joshua Harvey and Daniel Prude - all African-American men. All suffering from some form of mental health issue. All three were killed by police. ● Personal insights from having observed a mentally challenged individual unattended in public. ● An in-depth analysis of Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT). ● The role police play in handling mentally ill persons. ● The decision-making process from a police officer’s perspective regarding mentally ill persons. ● Law enforcement’s formal and informal “options” for handling mentally ill persons. ● The factors contributing to the problem and the implications of criminalizing mental illness. ●Finally, we focus the conversation on some policy recommendations to help improve the overall process. We’d like to thank our friends at Feedspot, as recently we were honored by being ranked #6 in their most recent poll out of the 40 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts. Visit their blog at www.Feedspot.com or simply follow this link: Best 40 Criminal Justice Podcasts You Follow in 2022 (feedspot.com) And for all your news and current affairs check out our friends at Newsly by visiting https://newsly.me. Use the promo code L1GHTEMUP to launch your 10% savings. We bring the classroom to you! We are here for you and because of you! Executive Producer, Phil Rizzo

Tonight, on this educational, empowering and explosive episode of Light ‘Em Up — our investigative journalistic focus is on the raw underworld of Confidential Informants or CI’s — a term that is often kicked around among the criminal element and the seedy underworld — but in the real-world very little is really known about CI’s and their intricate role and the crucial impact they have in and on the criminal justice system. This is another installation in our recent series as we continue to investigate and probe deeply — exploring law enforcement policies, practices, and procedures and their impact on the public’s civil-liberties and constitutional rights. Regardless of how you refer to them: snitches, rats, stoolies, stool pigeons … they can be a cop’s eyes, ears and calling cards. Confidential Informants can vouch for undercover investigators and get them inside the inner circles of criminal enterprises. In the criminal justice system, some say “police-generated witness testimony”, by that we mean confessions, police informants, and eyewitness identifications or that testimony from confidential informants, is essential to the overall process — just like the process of plea-bargaining. Among academia in Criminal Justice, we’ve heard it said that the system would “grind to a halt and collapse without the use of CI’s” – while others feel very strongly that CI’s are “rats” and rats bring plague and infestation to everything they touch, and the criminal justice system and process is no exception. On the streets it is said that: “Snitches get stitches” … among Italian mobsters — “gli mafiosi” — ALL rats deserve and should get the same treatment … “morte” … or death (in Italian). After tuning in to this fact-packed episode you will know: ♦ What exactly is a CI? ♦ The 3 different types of informants. ♦ How a “CW” (cooperating witness) differs from a CI. ♦ The “motivations” of CI’s. (Are CI’s paid?) ♦ The "Initial Suitability Determination" used by JLEA’s (Justice Law Enforcement Agencies). ♦ The Standards for Eligibility of becoming a CI. ♦ How police & prosecutors use CI’s to make their cases against YOU! ♦ The use of CI’s inside organized crime syndicates. (Mob snitches)! ♦ An exclusive and troubling report on The Chicago PD and its use of informants. ♦ Shocking case studies (specifically of Kathryn Johnston): a real-world example where the use of CI’s can instantly become deadly and go terribly wrong – especially when law enforcement officers “conjure up,” manufacture and plant evidence. Few crimes are as reprehensible as those committed by police officers who violate the very laws they have sworn to uphold. Rhetorically, we ask: How many warrants are obtained each year based on fabricated informants and conjured up “evidence”? How many such cases did not have someone stand up for the truth? We know that the truth is under attack and that the truth is worth fighting for. We drill deep into the dirty underworld and the ins and outs of confidential informants (CI’s). Do you want to become a CI? Do you want to learn more about CI’s, now? Good! Tune in and be empowered! We’d like to thank our friends at Feedspot, as recently we were honored by being ranked #6 in their most recent poll out of the 40 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts. Visit their blog at www.Feedspot.com or simply follow this link: Best 40 Criminal Justice Podcasts You Follow in 2022 (feedspot.com) And for all your news and current affairs check out our friends at Newsly by visiting https://newsly.me. Use the promo code L1GHTEMUP to launch your 10% savings. We bring the classroom to you! We are here for you and because of you! Executive Producer, Phil Rizzo