KDKA Radio's Address The Unrest: A Solutions Summit

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As Black Lives Matter protests continue through the country, state and Pittsburgh region following the death of George Floyd, Newsradio 1020 KDKA hosted a panel of experts discuss a plan to thoughtfully move forward in order to bring peace to our region.

This ‘virtual town hall’ focused on the issues – both real and perceived - that strain police and community relations and lead to demonstrations, protests, and violence.  There are 650,000 law enforcement officers in the nation and millions of interactions but a few tragic incidents cause much grief and pain for all.  This forum aims to find a logical, feasible solution that could be implemented by area governments!

There are approximately 18,000 police stations in the US.  Public safety is the prominent function of government.  Police are supposed to ‘Protect & Serve’ and enforce the laws of government but things can go wrong quickly.  What is the main issue?

Guests for the summit include:

  • Fr. Paul Abernathy - Combat Veteran of Iraq War, Orthodox Christian Priest, Founder of Neighborhood Resilience Project in Hill District
  • Rich Fitzgerald - County Executive of Allegheny County
  • Esther Bush - President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
  • Bob Scwartzwalder - President of the Pittsburgh Police Union – Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1
  • Dr. James Huguley - Interim Director, Center on Race and Social Problems, Assistant Professor at  the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, Co-Principal Investigator of Pittsburgh Parenting Project
  • Chance Humphrey - Social Media Influencer, Lifestyle Photographer

Points of discussion include:

  • Crime & Punishment & Rule of Law
  • Media role in reporting news and facts vs. fanning anxiety and fear
  • Defunding police:  What would that resemble?
  • What positive steps have been taken in the past & why have they failed?
  • Being Stopped by police & police point of view
  • Economic Concerns
  • Police Training

Kevin Battle of the KDKA Radio Morning Show, served as host and moderator of this summit.

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