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Joe Hogsett

Joe Hogsett In Studio

The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST For Thursday, June 25, 2015. (Interview Starts At 0:58:00 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). In his sixth interview on Afternoons with Amos since entering the race for Mayor of Indianapolis, Democratic mayoral candidate Joe Hogsett covered a wide range of issues with Amos and listeners. Hogsett, the former US Attorney, explained his proposals to help deal with crime and the causes of crime in Indianapolis.  He talked about wanting to expand summer job opportunities foe students, working to reduce the school to prison pipeline and implement other measures to reduce unnecessary suspensions and expulsions in Mayor charter schools.  Which are part of the recommendations of the Your Life Matters® Task Force. Hogsett also discussed his plan to end the nearly 30 years old moratorium on adding new streetlights in Indianapolis. Hogsett believes new LED lighting technology is cheaper to operate and the savings would pay the cost of new streetlights. In response to a direct question about sharing the with the public video of controversial or fatal police action shooting, Hogsett was in favor of more transparency in those situations, not less. Hogsett’s crime fighting plans include a strong focus on dealing with neighborhood issues that help create a climate for crime.  The plan also deals with improving re-entry service to help those who want to turn their lives around to do so. Hogsett also said his crime fighting plans includes adding more police officers to bring IMPD’s strength up to 1,750. But more importantly to deploy police officers in a beat system, as opposed to the current zone system. Hogsett said it would be like playing football or basketball more man-to-man than zone. Listeners peppered Hogsett with questions and concerns about police, creating a place where Indy residents could offer suggestions to improve city government and services. Others asked about tax incentives for business to create summer jobs for youth and another asked how would Hogsett handle the rising number of homeless.  Another expressed concern about what to do with the County Jail and suggested figuring out how to reduce incarceration before deciding on how to build a new jail. Joe Hogsett’s Public Safety Plan is available from his website. Click the Link For Info: JOE HOGSETT PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN

Troy Riggs

Troy Riggs In Studio

(Interview Starts At 57:06 Mark On PODCAST Media Player) Wednesday, June 23, Troy Riggs who had served nearly three years as Public Safety Director of Indianapolis/Marion County announced he was leaving the city to move to a position at IUPUI’s Public Policy Institution and the School of Public Affairs. In an Afternoons with Amos interview, Riggs talked about the current public safety situation in Indianapolis.  From crime (Riggs says its down, though people’s perception is that its up) including the efforts to reduce crime in six of the city’s highest crime areas.  Riggs also talked about his efforts to fight crime by attacking the root causes which includes hunger, unemployment, mental health issues and more.  Riggs also talked about the struggles to turn around the city’s troubled Animal Care and Control Agency.  Asked if the Department’s Deputy Director Valerie Washington would be a good candidate to succeed him, even though female Public Safety Directors of American counties are extremely rare, Troy Riggs gave effusive praise towards the talented African-American public servant.  Riggs also talked about his excitement at his new responsibilities at IUPUI which will include some teaching. He also said after years of being on 24 hour call, he was looking forward with spending more time with his teenaged sons and being a dad.  (Health Care Commentary Starts At 1:13:50 Mark On PODCAST Media Player) In two big stories, Amos commented on the Supreme Court’s 6 to 3 vote upholding key provisions of the Affordable Care Act which pleased President Obama and has angered many Republicans including Gov. Pence.  (Census Commentary Starts At 1:23:15 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). And Amos shared with listeners the key findings from the release Thursday of new Census  population estimates for Blacks, whites, Hispanics and Asians in Indianapolis and the Indianapolis area.  The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST For Thursday, June 25th Runs 95 Minutes. ©2015 WTLC/Radio One. PODCAST Starts After Brief Video Ad.