Unholstered

There are no words for this edition of Unholstered, as it is our last. Listen to find out why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when an officer is shot in the line of duty? What about when an officer discharges his weapon at a suspect? Either way, an investigation ensues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being stopped by the police is typically not a good thing, but what if you are just walking down the sidewalk minding your business?  Can an officer stop you? Must you tell them your name? What about their request to show identification?  Today we explore when officers can ask for your ID and when you have to hand it over.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AVOID / DENY / DEFEND  With a surge in shootings across the country and in NE Indiana, many people are starting to ask themselves, "What would I do if I find myself in an active shooter situation." Having a plan could be the difference between life and death. Avoid, deny, defend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent article put out by Force Science entitled Homicidal Empathy: An Evolving Threat to Police Officers has garnered the attention of police officers all across the country, including here in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Primarily because of the expectations that jurors, prosecutors and activists have of our police officers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating traffic fatalities. The do's and don'ts as a driver and as a police officer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many pieces to the story are still missing, but Mitch McKinney, Deputy Chief with the Fort Wayne Police Department is breaking down the South Whitley Police controversy. Plus is the Glenbrook Square Mall in Fort Wayne safe, after three shootings in the last year.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every time you hear the news or read the news these days, we hear another viral story about squatters taking over homes. Thankfully, Indiana is doing it right as the new squatting trend doesn't seem to be gaining traction in the Hoosier state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are several different types of emergency alerts that can be issued and often times they vary state to state. However, when it comes to Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts they are triggered by meeting a stringent list of criteria and then sent through a very sophisticated warning system. Because these alerts are pushed through the broadcast systems via the Emergency Alert System, they can also be triggered across state lines., meaning this warning system and understanding how they work, can be critical when it comes to saving lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's climate, School Resource Officers (SRO's) are being pulled from schools. The state of Minnesota knows this all too well. However, while some districts are pulling SRO's, the largest school district in Indiana, is adding SRO's and implementing other safety measures to keep our children safe during school hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing our exploration of youth violence and what national groups are doing to combat youth violence. Today we dive into what national organizations, like the YMCA, are doing to not only curb youth violence, but what they are doing to change the statistics.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week we explored what some of our local community members and organizations are doing to combat youth violence. Today we dive into what the Fort Wayne Police Department is doing to not only curb youth violence, but to solve the crimes that are a direct result of increased youth violence.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youth violence is spiking across the nation and here at home. However, the number one question plaguing many law enforcement agencies and municipal organization is how to combat it. Enter Nygel Simms.  Nygel is a distinguished leader, speaker, strategist, and visionary with a gift for developing programs, initiatives, and best practices to tackle the complex issues confronting our youth and marginalized populations. Nygel is also the founder of National Young Leaders Institute and holds the position of Chief Ministry Officer at Youth for Christ. Nygel has contributed extensively to Northern Indiana, lending his expertise to numerous boards and committees such as Great Kids Make Great Communities, The Greater Fort Wayne YMCA, City of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Community Schools, and Allen County Juvenile Center and today he is lending his expertise to the Unholstered podcast.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people do not know or understand the realities of "human trafficking." According to National Human Trafficking Hotline, human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to get another person to provide labor or commercial sex.  Because there are many myths and unknown facts about human trafficking, if you or someone you know has been a victim, call 260.427.1203 call Detective Sarah with the Fort Wayne Police Department. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a child is kidnapped, time is of the essence. As a way to rapidly track down a missing child police departments across numerous states have turned to something called the “Flock System.” Despite the Flock System being labeled by some as an “invasion of privacy,” the Flock System helped investigators recover an 11-year-old girl, kidnapped out of Zanesville, Indiana by three adults. Hear how the Wells County Sheriff's Department, along with many others, teamed up to recover the young girl less than 24 hours later in Wisconsin. Read more about the story here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traffic is always a hot topic for every city. Between construction and traffic infractions there are a lot of misconceptions about the role of law enforcement and what our officers can and cannot do. One idea being purposed is bringing back a Traffic Division to the Fort Wayne Police Department. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surprisingly, one in three women and one in six men will experience stocking at some point in their lifetime. In light of  this state and January being stocking awareness month we are featuring the Fort Wayne Police Department's Victim Assistance Program.  The program was established in 1981 and aims to provide comprehensive crime victim services to the City of Fort Wayne and surrounding communities. Advocates and volunteers passionately work to provide information to crime victims to reduce re-victimization as victims navigate through the criminal justice system.  Call the FWPD Victim Assistance Program when YOU, YOUR CHILD,  a FRIEND or RELATIVE have been the victim of: Assault Child Abuse Domestic DUI (death or injury) Homicide Molest Robbery Sexual Assault Other (includes suicide, threats, stalking, arson, fraud, property,elder abuse, etc.) To contact Victim Assistance, please call 260-427-1205. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Law enforcement agencies across the nation are being stretched thin as crime, violence, attacks and now "SWATTING" incidents are on the rise. This new trend of "SWATTING" is growing and has become a very popular tactic for those seeing retribution. The concern is this act of "SWATTING" will continue to increase as the 2024 election cycle is about to be in full swing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 was another year full of unpredictable events for everyone, including officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department. From challenges to accomplishments, Police Chief Steve Reed is taking a look back at the FWPD in 2023.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebratory gunfire is the shooting of a firearm into the air in celebration and it tends to occur during holiday celebrations, like New Year's Eve. However, the Fort Wayne Police Department would like to remind you that firing random bullets may result in death or injury. In some cases, it is also is illegal.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you haven't met the Fort Wayne Police Department's therapy dog yet, his name is Tinsley. Tinsley is the newest addition to the Fort Wayne Police Department's Officer Wellness and Community Relations Programs and he has been a part of the force for about a year now. The therapy dog program has taken three years for the FWPD to complete, but having the right dog, from the right program, that would fit the FWPD's effort to put community first, took a lot of time and effort. In the end, the Paws and Stripes College program out of Brevard County, Florida was the right fit. Over the last year Officer Lisa Woods and dog trainer Bill Johnston have been getting Tinsely ready to report for duty.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holiday months are usually all about parties, family visits and Christmas concerts. Unfortnaley, holiday months can also be some of the deadliest months for people traveling on the road. A rise in impaired driving is typically the reason why due to all those late-night celebrations.   The definition of impaired driving can also mean multiple things. For example, it can mean driving under the influence of prescription drugs or it can mean driving under the influence of illicit drugs. It can mean driving drunk or driving tried. Because the definition of impaired driving has changed significantly over time, impaired driving has created its own set of challenges for law enforcement. Whether it's called drunk driving, driving under the influence, impaired driving or operating under the influence it is a serious problem, especially around the holidays, and it demands continued conversation and attention.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to avoid pawn and theft during the holidays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currently, A.I. generated child porn is not considered a federal crime. So-called deepfake photos and videos are the driving forces causing lawmakers and politicians problems when it comes to crafting legislation because deepfakes are proliferating almost as fast as people can download the chatbots to create them. So what is A.I. generated child porn and how can we stop it? Law enforcement agencies are already ahead of the game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Child pornography is illegal in Indiana, as it is throughout the U.S. However, penalties vary based on the crime committed. Many factors are considered. For example creating child pornography versus possessing child porn versus distributing it. The age of the victim is also a factor when weighing penalties.  * Resources for combatting child phonography:  https://takeitdownnow.org/ NCMEC.org https://stopncii.org/  https://www.fwpd.org/crimes-against-persons-section   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn about the safety referendum approved by Fort Wayne Community Schools. Even if you don't live in Fort Wayne, IN or in Indiana, this referendum still could impact you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may come as a shock to some, but suicide has now become the number one killer of police officers in the United States, that's according to Blue H.E.L.P.  Police officers are constantly on the front lines dealing with tragedies and according to recent research, the stress of seeing, hearing and dealing with some of these horrors has led to a higher rate of suicide. In Fort Wayne, Indiana the Fort Wayne Police Department established their own mental wellness peer support program for officers in 2018. Dr. Darren Higgibotham is part of the program to help officers communicate openly about their struggles.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auto thefts are on the rise, not only in Fort Wayne, but also in many parts of the country. When it comes to the boom in auto thefts, Kias and Hyundais have become easy targets due to the way they are manufactured. Plus, the hottest trend among young people right now is to steal Kia cars and upload the footage to TikTok. How to avoid being the victim of an auto theft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unfortnaley mall shootings are becoming more and more common across the country. That statement also holds true for the Glenbrook Square Mall in Fort Wayne, Indiana as two shootings have occurred at the indoor mall in as many months. The most recent shooting was not a random incident. Officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department say an altercation occurred between two men and that altercation led to shots being fired. The shooter is in custody and the victim is in stable condition. However, bystanders were able to catch some of the scene on video. The videos have been shared on social media and by local media organizations, bringing into question some of the events that unfolded. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gun Control ordinances are starting to pop up all over the country. Most recently, one of these ordinances popped up in Indianapolis. Indy's gun control measure would raise the legal age to purchase a firearm in Marion County to 21-years-old. It would ban semi-automatic assault weapons, rollback permit-less carry and prohibit the concealed carry of a firearm. One major problem with this ordinance? Indiana state law prohibits it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Xylazine (also called “tranq” or “tranq dope”) is a non-opioid sedative or tranquilizer that is popping up at an alarming rate, in a number of illicit drug mixtures. It has also been linked to a growing number of overdose deaths. Today we discuss what it is, where it comes from and why White House officials have declared it an emerging threat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would you do if your entire police fore quit? That is what happened recently in Goodhue, Minnesota. The  Goodhue Police Department resigned because of issues with the city's pay. Surprisingly, Goodhue is not alone. Many rural towns have seen entire police departments resign due to lack of equipment, paid time off or pay structure.  The Goodhue City Council met to discuss options for police coverage after the department's resignation. All their options are similar to what any other city would be forced to do. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currently federal law forbids non-US citizens to serve as police officers and as deputies. However, a bill recently singed into law by the Governor of Illinois will do just that. HB 3751 will allow eligible foreign nationals to become police officers. Critics argue the bill allows individuals who are actively breaking the law to become enforcers of the law. Supporters of the bill say it will help with Illinois' ongoing police officer shortage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Constitutional Carry, or permitless carry,  went into law in Indiana (HEA 1296 – Firearms Matter) July 1st, 2022. Within the last year, similar legislation was also passed in Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, bringing the total number of constitutional carry states, so far, to 27.  Despite the law being in place for just over a year, many myths still persist about what it really means to be a Constitutional Carry state. Today members of law enforcement are dispelling the myths and sharing the facts about Constitutional Carry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to clearing an active shooter scene, many think there is only one way to respond to this encounter. However, it can vary. In most cases, active shooters use firearms. In other scenarios active shooters use explosive devices. Thus, the way your local police department responds will be determined by the specific circumstances.  Not only does the Fort Wayne Police Department  respond very differently from other law enforcement departments, but the way they help injured persons also varies greatly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems the moment the warm weather arrives, the orange construction barrels come out in full force. Getting from point A to point B during the spring and summer months can be a daunting task as we all know with construction zones, come lane closures, backups, and crashes.  Nationally, there are approximately 40,000 crashes in work zones every year. ·How do we avoid these transportation related crashes? And at what point does a construction zone, become a public safety hazard? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tis the season for summertime programs at the Fort Wayne Police Department. From “Badges and Baseball” to “Coffee with a Cup” officers within the department spend their dog days of summer teaching kids about policing careers, safety and connections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we have welcomed back John Michaels, the owner of Indiana Firearms Training in Huntington. He has dedicated his life to teaching the SAFE, CORRECT, and RESPONSIBLE use of all firearms.  From basic to practical and tactical classes, at Indiana Firearms Training, they convey the attitude, knowledge, and skills needed for the proper handling, use, and storage of firearms, along with the ability to defend your life and the lives of loved ones.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to firearms, safety and training are paramount. That is why John Michaels, the owner of Indiana Firearms Training in Huntington, has dedicated his life to teaching the SAFE, CORRECT, and RESPONSIBLE use of all firearms.  From basic to practical and tactical classes, at Indiana Firearms Training, they convey the attitude, knowledge, and skills needed for the proper handling, use, and storage of firearms, along with the ability to defend your life and the lives of loved ones. Even when it comes to a mass shooting.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the summer months are quickly approaching it is important to note that its not all about backyard BBQ's, visits to the lake and outdoor concerts. Summer months are some of the deadliest months for people traveling on the road. A rise in impaired driving is typically the reason why due to all those late-night parties and lake trips.  Whether it's drunk driving, driving under the influence, or driving tried, it is a serious problem, especially during the summer season and it demands continued conversation.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Police Week occurs every May 15th. It became a national holiday back in 1962, when President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Police Week. Every year the President delivers the keynote address. This year, that did not happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fort Wayne Police Department Bike Patrol Unit was formally created in 2013. At that time officers patrolled the downtown area on bicycles and Segways during the warmer months. In 2019, the Unit implemented a year-round program the downtown area and other areas of the city when weather permits. The Unit does a number of things. It provides a mobile presence during periods of special events, for directed patrol activities, public relations, in city parks and the river green ways, as a deterrent to crime, and to supplement the daily activities of the Uniform Division. However, the main purpose for the FWPD Bike Patrol Unit is to engage with the community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many communities across the country are trying to come up with solutions to curb homelessness. Often times, community members tend to think it is the role of law enforcement to address rampant homelessness, but that is not the case. Here in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the most part, officers only get involved with homelessness when criminal activity occurs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems like every other news cycle there is a story that pops up about imposter police officers trying to lure people, particularly women, during "traffic stops." If you are pulled over and something doesn't feel right, there are multiple things you can do and there are multiple signs you should be looking for to avoid "fake cops." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days more and more of us are spending extended periods of time online and on social media. Drug dealers are no exception. Drug dealers are going digital and have figured out how to exploit the internet to peddle drugs, specifically to our kids.  Know the signs and the "lingo" these drug deals are using to try and target our children.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to different positions within law enforcment, promotions and rankings don't operate like your typical career. When it comes to the Fort Wayne Police Department and many law enforcement organizations, positions sound more like military positions and rankings compared to those you hear of in most other occupations. If you are unfamiliar with the hierarchy of authority within the Fort Wayne Police Department today we are breaking down the different ranks and promotions. Plus we will share all the qualifications to achieve each position.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 2011 Procedural Justice has been a positive movement when it comes to how the community perceives the Fort Wayne Police Department in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Procedural Justice is the idea of fairness in the processes of resolving disputes involving the community and the FWPD. More specifically, the FWPD hosts a class called “Procedural Justice and Legitimacy.” Community members, city officials and local activists are invited to these classes to talk about and address issues with law enforcement. More specifically, these individuals are asked to put themselves in the shoes of Fort Wayne Police Officers. This week, one of your hosts Kayla Blakeslee, was invited to take the course. Find out how she did in this week's edition of "Unholstered." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is much debate over weed and whether or not it is a gateway drug. There is also much debate over whether or not it should be legalized. Today we get the perspective of a law enforcement officer who has worked 19-years in narcotics, undercover, buying and selling “drugs.”  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all say, "It will never happen to my kid." Yet, we hear stories all to often about children overdosing on drugs. The reality is we live in an age where Americans are quick to look for ways to numb the pain. That often leads to individuals ingesting some form of drug, prescription or otherwise.  And yet, political leaders, medical professionals and parents are surprised that fentanyl is the number one leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18-45. Today we dive into why America is a pill-popping nation. * If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, contact the Hope and Recovery team with the Fort Wayne Police Department here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Using a drone as a first responder is not an entirely new concept, but it is a relatively new program for the Fort Wayne Police Department. Despite public misconception, the drones will not be used for surveillance or random patrols. Instead, these drones will be used to answer radio calls, dispatch calls and calls for service only. According to FWPD, drones arrive to the scene of an incident faster than officers over 70% of the time. Currently 11 officers within the FWPD are learning to fly these drones. Two drones are in circulation, but as these officers become pilots, there are hopes to have a total of eight drones in circulation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.