Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, let's get it started.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
It is seven oh five here at news Radio eight
forty whas and we are blessed with the presence of
the one and only Dwight Mitchell. He was just on
our TV screen here on WLKY and now he's with
us here in studio. Dwight, Happy Friday, my friend morning.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Nick. Is always good to be with you and in
the midst.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Yep, well, we always appreciate you being here. And some
we talked about earlier this week. I was looking forward
to asking you about because they're currently is a policy
in place when it comes to vehicles that are stolen
the threshold of pursuit, and the policy is that you
can't chase a vehicle and put others in danger because
(00:39):
they're not viewed as a violent thread at that point,
even though they have they have stolen a vehicle, or
at least they're accused of that. So when these processes change,
what's the timeline As far as just like whenever there
is a change, which again there's not expected to be one.
Now there's a push for one currently and that's what
we were discussing. But as far as just the overall
Department of LMPD those that are out on control, what
(01:00):
kind of when there is a change, what goes through,
like what.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Kind of training?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Like what's the timeline for you guys to understand, Okay,
they've made a change. Now we need to be reacting
differently than we have for maybe a long time.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
Well for some officers, it's a very confusing time because
we have a pretty big sop. It's you know, eight
or nine hundred pages long, and a lot of policies
are in there, and they get revised on occasion, and
it only may be one word, but it may be
a monumental word of how that policy is enacted. Now
in regards to what you're talking about as far as
(01:31):
the pursuit policy, one of the major reasons why that
policy was put in place and the reason why it
stands the way it does, is because police pursuits. High
pursuits are the most probably dangerous thing that we do,
because not only does it endanger other people and endangers
to officers as well, and on a stolen vehicle, I
(01:52):
don't know that that's really worth it at that point.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
So that's how come it's as stringent as it is.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
You know, obviously, we know know when people have loss
of propity and things, and they're upset and they want
us to do something about it. I get that, but
not at the cost of someone else's life. And I
think that's what the main driving point is here.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Like a lot of things we discuss with Dwight Mitchell,
here with us is just things that if you've never
been in law enforcement before, which most of us have it,
you just don't really think about. But there's got there's
a clear direct line in the everyday duty of a
law enforcement officer as far as understanding we're going to
try to We're going to try to of course catch
the bad guys, hold people accountable, but we have to
(02:32):
always keep in mind there's a line we can't cross
when it comes to putting others, just citizens in danger.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Right right, That's the major thing, because all it takes
is one thing to go wrong, and it doesn't matter
what you were trying to do in terms of protecting someone.
Sometimes you know, because the scrutiny will come from and
we should be scrutinized anytime that we're using any type
of force. Police parmers should be scrutinized to a certain degree,
(02:59):
but not overscrutinize to the point where we lose common
sense on.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
What's really happening.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
And I think that's what happens on occasion, and I
understand that with the emotions, especially when there's a loss
of life. But the one of the reasons why we
do have these policies in places just for this, we
try to use the best practices.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
We consult other agencies what.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
They're doing, you know, cities that are similar in size
to us and population and what's the best practice, because
that's all you really have to go on to because
then you have to put the human elements in it
that always makes it go awry.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Sometimes when you do that.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
It's a tough balancing act because it wouldn't shock me
if there are there's organized crime out there are just
criminals in general that do know of these policies and understand.
They may be able to get they may be able
to benefit from it, but at the end of the day,
with you all, it's still about the greater goal of
keeping people.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Safe, right And you know it's run, run, run, but
you can't hide. Eventually it catches up with them. We
might not get you on that one, but you know,
al Capone, as bad as he was he got caught,
but Taxi bas you know, wasn't for all the other
things that he did. So it may not be for
the crime that you're committing that maybe as major. It
may be something else that trips you up. So don't
(04:09):
think you're getting away. I's still on you.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
I'm sure there are many many over the years that
have ended up getting getting held accountable, but technically charged
conviction may not be for anything close to what they
you know, there's layers to it. But yeah, and in
your world of law enforcement, when it comes to just
police officers detectives, you all know who the bad guys are,
right absolutely, we do. And they're not always in custody
(04:35):
at all times.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
But you know, right.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Absolutely we know. And you know, here's the thing, it's
always proven it. I mean, we know who it is.
You know, most of the crimes that are committed after
we've got great investigators.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah, and there's this is again one of the many
things that has just been on my radar more than
ever with our weekly conversations, is that there are a
lot of crimes that are technically unsolved to where there
hasn't been an just yet and sometimes it ends up
coming it's just a process. But sometimes it's just the
waiting game to where you can finally get something substantial
to truly you know, because again, as you said, it's
(05:10):
about proving being able to prove it. But yeah, one
of the many things that is rather obvious. But when
you're not in that world every day, you don't often
think about it.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
All right.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
So you were when you were on television just a
moment ago on w o K why you were discussing
the suspect that you guys are looking for from a
shooting that took place on on Derby Day. So when
when when one of these suspects is being sought and
there on the run, and I guess you know, there's
all kinds of options when it comes to them as
far as running and whatnot. But internally communication between L
(05:41):
and PD, different departments, what goes into using the resources
you have to try to best figure out where somebody's hiding.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Well, that's that's a trade secret. But I can't give you,
you know, kind of though.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You can't give you a playbook.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Yeah, well I'm not that. Yeah, I can't do that.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
But anyway, what I can say is, in that particular case,
it was video surveillance that we had and many businesses
have that now, homes have them and things like that,
and we encourage that when we are advertising our tip
line when crimes do occur. And in that particular instance,
because of the surveillance video, now well hundreds of people
out there that particular day, but it was really the
(06:19):
video that officers were able to hone in on.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
This person can be known. We knew who it was.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
It was just a matter of finding that individual. We did,
and it took a few months for that to happen.
And another reason why if you notice we've been making
a lot of arrest on homicides, and the reason I
believe is because we've had less homicize and we have
too many. Sure, and it was still over one hundred
and things like that, but the bottom line is not
(06:46):
as many as have been because we're down about thirty
percent in homicides or are low twenties or high twenty
excuse me with that in terms of them being down,
giving detectives an opportunity to work these cases more than
they have in the past. And when they are able
(07:06):
to yes, and we're able to make more rest which
is what people want to end you know, we say
we want justice and we're able to give it to
some folks.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
So you mentioned the video, the security footage. A couple
of weeks ago, there was a push to have folks
here in businesses in the community offer to allow LMPD
to have access to footage if in fact they believe
that a crime occurred that might have been picked up
on a camera in your world, somebody in law enforcement.
(07:37):
Let's just say there's a good push from the community
to buy in and say, yeah, why not let's take
advantage of this. I mean, you guys could benefit substantially here, right.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
The community benefits from it.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Everybody.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Yeah, yes, you know, we're the kind doing about which
that happens, but the community doesn't. And everybody wants to
save community. Everybody wants to be able to go and
be free. Well, we all have a responsibility to do
that if you have a business or something like that,
and that being your best interest. Not so much business,
even neighborhoods and things of that nature. Everybody wants to
(08:08):
be safe. And that's how one way we can do
our part. Because if everybody likes their own little candle,
what the bright world it would be. And that's really
the focus of what I think we're trying to do,
and we're going to get there, you know, as the
great habit of Snellenberg always said, the only variable is time.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, and I think when it comes to just looking
at it from that way, this would be beneficial for
you know, it's not like, hey, we're giving l ANDPD
a handout and helping them do their job. I mean, yeah,
technically you could be assisting them, but you're also potentially
doing something that could help keep this place safer, which
is what we all want.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Ye you're helping yourself, that's right, and it happens to
be maybe through LMPD or the other law enforcementationurecies that
may be working your area.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
So I can't see any downside in to it.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Same here, I'm with you, Dwight Mitchell's with us here
in studio. It's news Radio Ate forty whas. So at
times when you see you follow the local as you
see that that L ANDPD is asking the community to
help assist them find somebody that is missing. And there's
a lot when it comes to missing adults, there's a
lot of different I guess scenarios that could lead to
(09:13):
somebody being unaccounted for. But the process of getting L
and PD involved is that, like, if somebody was missing,
would I go to you all to follow this report?
Speaker 1 (09:22):
And I guess, is there a.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Timeline threshold that would lead to where you guys are
stepping in and saying, hey, we'd like to ask the
community for some help here we're looking for this individual.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Well, you know the old saying is all you had
to wait twenty four hours.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
And no, that's what you see on TV a movie.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Absolutely not good to do.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
The moment that you know, folks contact us about someone
being missing, officers go to that scene, they do a
missing person's report, It goes to our Missing Persons unit.
At some point they'll contact the people that reported it
to find out what the characteristics were and what the circumstances,
and then after a little investigative work, they will decide whether,
(10:04):
you know, we really need to put.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
This out and find out who's missing.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
Now, a lot of times we have habitual runaways that
do it all the time, you know, and that's mostly
with teenagers and things like that, and been pretty successful
in finding them pretty quick. But we don't hesitate.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Now.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
A lot of times when we do put it out.
It's because medical reasons. They may be missing some type
of medication or you know, this is unusual behavior for
that as well as adult with maybe diminished capacity with
golden alerts for that. And there's a many different variables
that go into the missing person. But look, our whole
(10:43):
goal is again safety, and you know, we'll do whatever
we need to do and put it out the way
we need to put it out when we feel like
there's reason to do so.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
And we got a great unit that handles that. And
then the.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Officers on the street always have the ies peeled back
ready to serve this community in that capacity.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
I was just telling Dwight I was out and about
yesterday downtown. First time I got a chance to see
the new headquarters Sprill MPD, and it looks phenomenal. Does
it feel like home just yet?
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Oh? Man, it feels really great to have our home again.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
And I hear you got that nice office.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Oh it's beautiful. After forty one years, you are to
get something there.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
You go, well, hey, it's deserved, no doubt about that. Now,
what's the timeline as far as because to me, just
from the outside, it looks as if it's up and
running and it is, but it's a process to get
everybody that's going to be there there right.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
You know, when it comes down to economics as well.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
And right now, the fourth floor is where the executive
staff is, which includes my unit as well and a
few others, And we are occupying the building at this point,
and I believe in the next year or two our
homicide unit and some of our investigative units will be
getting there. Eventually about sixty percent of the police department
(11:53):
will be out of that building. And it's great, it's
coming along fine. You know, everybody has to have a home,
you know, like we talk sports on here a lot, yep,
And when you're home, you have you know, you're dean
on where you're going to be just like your own home.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Yeah, we're going to perform, yeah when we need that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Even with different departments, if you're all kind of working
together as one and a lot of you under the
same roof, it's just a big part of.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
The culture as well.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
It is, and you know, working together it is even
if you're not, if you're not daily doing things together
because of different departments, if you're all there together, that's
that's that's huge for culture.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
It is and communication that's the main thing in our
jobs because you know, although we may not see each
other all the time, but the communication, whether it's you know,
through social media, whether it's through telephones or whatever like that.
And there's a lot of ways to communicate with people,
but there's nothing like an up close and personal conversation
like you and I have good.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Stuff, all right. So I got to ask you.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
With Louisville and Cincinnati playing tonight for the first time
and some time, Louisll's never played a basketball opponent more
than they played Cincinnati, what Cincinnati Louisville matchup comes to
mind for you first?
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Over the years, because there have been many.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Of them, you know, I guess, because I guess my
first recollection of them were probably doing the late sixties,
early seventies, in the eighties because I'm old.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
But the years that we used to they used.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
To play in Riverfront Coliseum, which is now where they're.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Going, yes, but they're calling it something.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Now Heritage he Trust Center, I think.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
And I remember nineteen eighty six, eighty five, eighty six
a season that was the first year they had the
preseason n I T And of course that was our
championship season, and I went up there with my cousins
and we saw what Billy Thompson, Milt Wagner and that
group in purpose all was about. And we knew from
(13:41):
that that time up there that it was going to
be a great season. And I hope we see something
rebuilt just like that. Maybe it's day y'all buo, how
about that?
Speaker 1 (13:48):
I like that. I like that.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
My first what stands out my first early impression of
Cincinnati is I remember being scared of Kenyon Martin.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
I was good.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
He was good.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
That guy was really good.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
And then also the Russmill buzzer beater when they played
in the American Athletic COMPROMI yeah, I don't think they've
played since then. That was Louis was last year in
the league, and yeah, certainly it was last time they
played up there, so yeah, it's it feels like old times.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Well, and then they played Memphis a little later to it. Yes,
And now that one really gets me because this was
another time in nineteen eighty six, great time that we
u on the way to the championship. A Mill hitter
shot at the end. It put us over and it
was great.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
That'll be an awesome game coming up a little bit
later this season because they're gonna also retired Junior Bridgeman's number,
which which is going to bring a lot of folks
out that. I mean, I think a lot of Louisville
fans will be there in general, but just I think
it'll be a big day for the for the program.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Oh it will be because you know those days of
Baskerville Holmes, yep, all of them down in Memphis and
old Midmids South Coliseum I thinks is where they used
to play back in the day and used to have a.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Wrestling down there too. Oh yeah, all and all of
that back then. So it brings back a lot of them.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
I'm gonna call if Memphis fans show up, I'm calling
a Memphis state because I know it bothers them.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
They don't like that.
Speaker 5 (14:57):
Oh yeah, they get trigger about that. All right, good stuff,
Thanks dwhit. Let's get to a quick thanksgiving to two
you as well. Let's get to a quick time out.
Keep it locked right here. It's news Radio eight forty
whas it is seven thirty five here at news Radio
eight forty whas Coffee and Company with you. Appreciate you
hanging out with us here on this Friday morning. The
(15:18):
gloom has been annoying this week, and it doesn't look
like it's going anywhere, at least not.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Today, so be advised.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
We are just six days away from Thanksgiving. We'll talk
a little more about the Thanksgiving holiday next week, because
we did do the Thanksgiving etiquette rundown earlier. But there's
some other things like that that I find to be
interesting because it gives you a people know what they know,
they're in their own world, their own bubble. They've probably
I'm sure many of you have done the same thing
every single Thanksgiving for decades and it's just routine. But
(15:48):
I'm fascinated to just hear of other experiences, other traditions
that people have, and there's some surveys out there that
give you a little bit of I guess, a snapshot
of that. So we'll do that a little bit more
like next week as we get close to the holiday.
But again, we've been busy so far. We'll continue to
be busy. This morning, coming up at eight o'clock, will
be joined by Mayor Greenberg. We'll get his thoughts on
a lot of things. It will be our first chance
(16:09):
to chat with him since the tragic plane crash just
a couple of weeks ago, and there's a lot to
unpack there, but also something else I'll look forward to
chatting with him about as the legislative session that of
course is coming up. We now know things that he
is emphasizing prioritizing here as far as just making improvements
to the city of Louisville. So again, Mayor Greenberg gonna
join us coming up, I guess closer to eight oh five,
(16:31):
So we'll do that in about thirty minutes or so.
But back to the story that has of course been
a big talking point for the last few weeks and
probably we'll be moving forward, and that is the plane crash.
So we got an update yesterday from the NTSB that
gives us a more information.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
I guess.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I think I had such a low bar as far
as what details, what info we were going to get
that anytime we do get something, I find it to
be valuable as far as just helping us understand how this,
how this happened. And yesterday they released some photos that
that that show and they also provide a breakdown in
(17:10):
this in this in the in these pictures and just
the rundown of it that shows what clearly was a
factor in this in this plane crash come taking place
in general, So you had three different pictures that highlight, uh,
the the left engine and the pilons separating from the
wing during takeoff and then immediately catching fire. And then
of course we know what would happened from there. So
(17:33):
they also found multiple problems in the left pilon during
the investigation up to this point, fatigue cracks that develop
over time from repeated stress, cracked and failed aft mount lugs,
a fractured spherical bearing race, other signs of just over
stress failure on the overall and on the overall pileon there.
(17:55):
And again, if it sounds like it's foreign language to me,
it's because it is. I don't have any experience in
aviation or airplanes anything like that. I'm sure many of
you are in the same boat. But just knowing what
happened in the tragic situation overall, and you hear that
there there there's issues like this where cracks, over stressed failures,
And my first instinct is, how can you how can
(18:19):
you not notice.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
That and and and and know.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
What could happen? And I quickly tell myself, Hey, I'm
sure these types of things are there's there's clearly a
standard when you are looking in you know, when you're
when you're doing your inspection, and there's maintenance, there's processes
and procedures, and it wouldn't shock me if we find
out that, yes, uh, the threshold essentially was was was
not at a not at a not at a spot
(18:44):
that it would tell you automatically you have to pull
this plane and it can't be in use. So again
I'm not saying that for sure, but what we're all
going to learn a whole lot because of this tragic situation,
because you typically unless you're just interested in it or
maybe it has something to do with maybe I don't
know what you do for a living. A lot of
us haven't followed tb NTSB investigations before, and I'm like
(19:06):
many that are looking into it for the first time.
But I'm constantly trying to remind myself that things that
may jump out at me and be surprising and shocking
and seem almost as if, hey, this this is.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
A real big issue.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Somebody dropped the ball, somebody should be held accountable, somebody's responsible,
and at the end of the day. Clearly there's something
responsible for this, but I'm also reminding myself and I
encourage others to do the same thing, that just because
we see something and it sounds like a real big
issue doesn't necessarily mean that's the case. For example, the
plane itself being thirty four years old and it having
you know, almost one hundred thousand hours in the air,
(19:40):
that sounds bad and it doesn't seem like that's Nobody
would claim that this means this is a fresh, you know, young,
spry plane. However, it's not that uncommon for these, you know,
planes of this that have been around this long to
still be used the way this one was being used.
So again, we will get more throughout this investigation, But
as far as the actual investigation being closed, I mean,
(20:05):
I think most of these things last over a year,
and that's just how extensive the investigations are overall. Also,
something we found out yesterday is that the first officer
to lead Truet of Albuquerque he was the pilot flying
the aircraft at the time of that crash. So again
still it's still ongoing and the overall cause yet to
(20:25):
be determined, and that found report it's not coming anytime soon.
But again, I know I'm not the only one that'll
be keeping up with this every chance, anytime there's any
kind of an update, just because that's the type of
situation we're dealing with here, a tragic situation that'll be
remembered for a long, long time. All Right, let's get
to a quick update of trafficking weather. We'll talk a
(20:46):
little more about the big decisions yesterday that were made
by the new JCPS superintendent, doctor Brian Yearwood. I think
expecting there are to be no school closures with this
one hundred and eighty eight million dollar deficit, that's just
not reality. So we now know of a couple of
schools that are going to be closing, some that are
going to be consolidated, and we'll give you those details
(21:08):
on the other side. And well, let me back up.
That's the proposed plan. This still does have to go
in front of a board to be voted on in
early December. But at least what doctor Yearwood wants to
do in order to try to get this financial mess
cleaned up, we'll talk about that next right here at News.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Radio eight forty whas.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
So, it was a proposal that we got yesterday from
doctor Brian Eere with a new JCPS superintendent, and he
is proposing that a couple of schools closed, relocation of others,
and merging of a couple more schools. So this is
all to dig out of that one hundred and eighty
eight million dollar disaster that they're in. And I said
yesterday that you know, hey, I don't envy him, but
(21:47):
he knew what he signed up for. But he also
didn't really know what he signed up for. And he
said as much because he did state that he was
not aware. And I don't think he was trying to
be dramatic or create any kind of drama at all.
I think he was just asked a direct question, I
believe by WDRB after one of the one of the
board meetings that he, you know, he did not know
(22:07):
the extent of the financial issues and just how big
of a devisit they were in. Only he would know
if that would have kept him from taking the job
or not. And he would never answer that, and I
wouldn't expect him to. But this is this is a
this is a when you say the numbers out loud,
I mean, it almost just doesn't seem like you can't
make this up one hundred and eighty eight million dollars
in the hole is he's unheard of. And with that,
(22:28):
you're going to have to make some big decisions that
are going to trim this to you know, you got
to trim one hundred and thirty two million dollars, and
by doing that, first of all, easier said than done.
But there's going to be some decisions made that are
going to potent that could potentially sort of change how
the overall JCPS system looks. And I think what he
(22:51):
has proposed doesn't necessarily do that overall.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
But this is just part of the process here.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I mean, this alone isn't going to completely get them
in a situation where they've cleared enough money, but this
is the start of it. And I think each time
there's been any little bit of an update, anytime it's
been discussed by leaders like doctor Brian Yearwood, you could
start to see more of a indirect not confirmation, but
almost just insinuation that schools are likely going to close.
(23:21):
Nobody's ever come out and said that, and I think
initially they said they never wanted to do that, but
they're going to have to. We now know that, and
the proposal is to close down these two schools, Liberty
High School because they seed in the services that Liberty
High School offering is it's now redundant because it was
created as a credit recovery school. So this is where
you go to make up credits to get your to
(23:42):
get to get back on track and to get your
high school degree. Well, now, at all JCPS schools within
the district, you can you can all you can you
can do that. I mean, it exists district wide as
far as credit recovery. So that was a probably it
was probably a pretty easy.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
Decision to make.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
And then the other one is Zachary Taylor Elementary and
it's closing to low enrollment. Enrollment is below fifty percent
and the building is too costly to operate and students
will reapply for schools in the Ballard High School zone
that we're going to Zachary Taylor Elementary. So those are
the two closures now. Relocation is Waller Williams Environmental. It's
(24:16):
currently at thirty nine percent capacity. And also the cost
per student there is sky high compared to the average.
So yeah, the average cost at JCPS specialized schools. Again,
this is specialized schools the average cost is sixty two thousand,
and the average cost per student here at this school,
Waller Williams Environmental is one hundred and eleven thousand, so
again much higher than the average. And they're going to
(24:39):
move this to an existing facility that is in Fairdale
and it better fits the school size and needs. And
the consolidation is King Elementary and mop and Elementary will consolidate.
King is at seventy percent capacity with a cost per
student over ten thousand dollars above the average JCPS elementary average,
So mop And is it ffty three percent enrollment but
(25:01):
more cost efficient. So they're going to relocate these and
merge them both inside Moppin's building. So King and Mappin
will consolidate. And then they're moving Georgia Chaffee Tap that
is going to be moving to a facility at Mail
High School and the enrollment there sits at just twenty
one percent, so this is a this is the early
childhood center that they're moving to. So that's that students
(25:24):
in those schools are the ones that are going to
be directly impacted if in fact this does get approved.
And the next board meeting is going to be on
December the ninth, that's a Monday, and all all every
proposal here is going to require board approval at this meeting.
So doctor Earwood is going to talk later this morning
at ten thirty and he'll be asked I'm sure about
a lot of this, and we'll see what he has
(25:44):
to say. But I'm sure a lot of these decisions
along the way to get yourself out of this mess
going to be tough decisions, but it's got to be done.
And I think anything you can do, and again, easier
said than done. I'm certainly not someone that has the
the plan or the perfect fix, but there's gonna be
a lot of pushback if this ends up being something
(26:06):
taxpayers have to have to to help clean up, because
that's what it is. It's a mess that was created
in I don't know where the blame directly lies, because
there's been some finger pointing. There's been some he said,
she said, But there was one guy that was responsible
overall for JCPS that's no longer here, and it's hard
to not to direct a lot of the blame there
(26:27):
just because of the new people in place, doctor Earwood himself.
I mean, there's been some direct contradiction as far as
just doctor Marty Polio saying that there was a plan,
and you're what's saying, essentially, no, I don't think there was,
because here I am with a real big mess and
I got to create a plan to try to fix this,
and again, easier said than done. Let's get to a
quick time out. We'll check on traffic and weather. We've
(26:48):
also got another sports update coming your way, and Mayor
Greenberg gonna join us coming up as we get the
eight o'clock hour started, So stick around right here at
News Radio eight forty whas
All right, let's get it started.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
It is seven oh five here at news Radio eight
forty whas and we are blessed with the presence of
the one and only Dwight Mitchell. He was just on
our TV screen here on WLKY and now he's with
us here in studio. Dwight, Happy Friday, my friend morning.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Nick. Is always good to be with you and in
the midst.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Yep, well, we always appreciate you being here. And some
we talked about earlier this week. I was looking forward
to asking you about because they're currently is a policy
in place when it comes to vehicles that are stolen
the threshold of pursuit, and the policy is that you
can't chase a vehicle and put others in danger because
(00:39):
they're not viewed as a violent thread at that point,
even though they have they have stolen a vehicle, or
at least they're accused of that. So when these processes change,
what's the timeline As far as just like whenever there
is a change, which again there's not expected to be one.
Now there's a push for one currently and that's what
we were discussing. But as far as just the overall
Department of LMPD those that are out on control, what
(01:00):
kind of when there is a change, what goes through,
like what.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Kind of training?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Like what's the timeline for you guys to understand, Okay,
they've made a change. Now we need to be reacting
differently than we have for maybe a long time.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
Well for some officers, it's a very confusing time because
we have a pretty big sop. It's you know, eight
or nine hundred pages long, and a lot of policies
are in there, and they get revised on occasion, and
it only may be one word, but it may be
a monumental word of how that policy is enacted. Now
in regards to what you're talking about as far as
(01:31):
the pursuit policy, one of the major reasons why that
policy was put in place and the reason why it
stands the way it does, is because police pursuits. High
pursuits are the most probably dangerous thing that we do,
because not only does it endanger other people and endangers
to officers as well, and on a stolen vehicle, I
(01:52):
don't know that that's really worth it at that point.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
So that's how come it's as stringent as it is.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
You know, obviously, we know know when people have loss
of propity and things, and they're upset and they want
us to do something about it. I get that, but
not at the cost of someone else's life. And I
think that's what the main driving point is here.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Like a lot of things we discuss with Dwight Mitchell,
here with us is just things that if you've never
been in law enforcement before, which most of us have it,
you just don't really think about. But there's got there's
a clear direct line in the everyday duty of a
law enforcement officer as far as understanding we're going to
try to We're going to try to of course catch
the bad guys, hold people accountable, but we have to
(02:32):
always keep in mind there's a line we can't cross
when it comes to putting others, just citizens in danger.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Right right, That's the major thing, because all it takes
is one thing to go wrong, and it doesn't matter
what you were trying to do in terms of protecting someone.
Sometimes you know, because the scrutiny will come from and
we should be scrutinized anytime that we're using any type
of force. Police parmers should be scrutinized to a certain degree,
(02:59):
but not overscrutinize to the point where we lose common
sense on.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
What's really happening.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
And I think that's what happens on occasion, and I
understand that with the emotions, especially when there's a loss
of life. But the one of the reasons why we
do have these policies in places just for this, we
try to use the best practices.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
We consult other agencies what.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
They're doing, you know, cities that are similar in size
to us and population and what's the best practice, because
that's all you really have to go on to because
then you have to put the human elements in it
that always makes it go awry.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Sometimes when you do that.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
It's a tough balancing act because it wouldn't shock me
if there are there's organized crime out there are just
criminals in general that do know of these policies and understand.
They may be able to get they may be able
to benefit from it, but at the end of the day,
with you all, it's still about the greater goal of
keeping people.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Safe, right And you know it's run, run, run, but
you can't hide. Eventually it catches up with them. We
might not get you on that one, but you know,
al Capone, as bad as he was he got caught,
but Taxi bas you know, wasn't for all the other
things that he did. So it may not be for
the crime that you're committing that maybe as major. It
may be something else that trips you up. So don't
(04:09):
think you're getting away. I's still on you.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
I'm sure there are many many over the years that
have ended up getting getting held accountable, but technically charged
conviction may not be for anything close to what they
you know, there's layers to it. But yeah, and in
your world of law enforcement, when it comes to just
police officers detectives, you all know who the bad guys are,
right absolutely, we do. And they're not always in custody
(04:35):
at all times.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
But you know, right.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Absolutely we know. And you know, here's the thing, it's
always proven it. I mean, we know who it is.
You know, most of the crimes that are committed after
we've got great investigators.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah, and there's this is again one of the many
things that has just been on my radar more than
ever with our weekly conversations, is that there are a
lot of crimes that are technically unsolved to where there
hasn't been an just yet and sometimes it ends up
coming it's just a process. But sometimes it's just the
waiting game to where you can finally get something substantial
to truly you know, because again, as you said, it's
(05:10):
about proving being able to prove it. But yeah, one
of the many things that is rather obvious. But when
you're not in that world every day, you don't often
think about it.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
All right.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
So you were when you were on television just a
moment ago on w o K why you were discussing
the suspect that you guys are looking for from a
shooting that took place on on Derby Day. So when
when when one of these suspects is being sought and
there on the run, and I guess you know, there's
all kinds of options when it comes to them as
far as running and whatnot. But internally communication between L
(05:41):
and PD, different departments, what goes into using the resources
you have to try to best figure out where somebody's hiding.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Well, that's that's a trade secret. But I can't give you,
you know, kind of though.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You can't give you a playbook.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Yeah, well I'm not that. Yeah, I can't do that.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
But anyway, what I can say is, in that particular case,
it was video surveillance that we had and many businesses
have that now, homes have them and things like that,
and we encourage that when we are advertising our tip
line when crimes do occur. And in that particular instance,
because of the surveillance video, now well hundreds of people
out there that particular day, but it was really the
(06:19):
video that officers were able to hone in on.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
This person can be known. We knew who it was.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
It was just a matter of finding that individual. We did,
and it took a few months for that to happen.
And another reason why if you notice we've been making
a lot of arrest on homicides, and the reason I
believe is because we've had less homicize and we have
too many. Sure, and it was still over one hundred
and things like that, but the bottom line is not
(06:46):
as many as have been because we're down about thirty
percent in homicides or are low twenties or high twenty
excuse me with that in terms of them being down,
giving detectives an opportunity to work these cases more than
they have in the past. And when they are able
(07:06):
to yes, and we're able to make more rest which
is what people want to end you know, we say
we want justice and we're able to give it to
some folks.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
So you mentioned the video, the security footage. A couple
of weeks ago, there was a push to have folks
here in businesses in the community offer to allow LMPD
to have access to footage if in fact they believe
that a crime occurred that might have been picked up
on a camera in your world, somebody in law enforcement.
(07:37):
Let's just say there's a good push from the community
to buy in and say, yeah, why not let's take
advantage of this. I mean, you guys could benefit substantially here, right.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
The community benefits from it.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Everybody.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Yeah, yes, you know, we're the kind doing about which
that happens, but the community doesn't. And everybody wants to
save community. Everybody wants to be able to go and
be free. Well, we all have a responsibility to do
that if you have a business or something like that,
and that being your best interest. Not so much business,
even neighborhoods and things of that nature. Everybody wants to
(08:08):
be safe. And that's how one way we can do
our part. Because if everybody likes their own little candle,
what the bright world it would be. And that's really
the focus of what I think we're trying to do,
and we're going to get there, you know, as the
great habit of Snellenberg always said, the only variable is time.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, and I think when it comes to just looking
at it from that way, this would be beneficial for
you know, it's not like, hey, we're giving l ANDPD
a handout and helping them do their job. I mean, yeah,
technically you could be assisting them, but you're also potentially
doing something that could help keep this place safer, which
is what we all want.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Ye you're helping yourself, that's right, and it happens to
be maybe through LMPD or the other law enforcementationurecies that
may be working your area.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
So I can't see any downside in to it.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Same here, I'm with you, Dwight Mitchell's with us here
in studio. It's news Radio Ate forty whas. So at
times when you see you follow the local as you
see that that L ANDPD is asking the community to
help assist them find somebody that is missing. And there's
a lot when it comes to missing adults, there's a
lot of different I guess scenarios that could lead to
(09:13):
somebody being unaccounted for. But the process of getting L
and PD involved is that, like, if somebody was missing,
would I go to you all to follow this report?
Speaker 1 (09:22):
And I guess, is there a.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Timeline threshold that would lead to where you guys are
stepping in and saying, hey, we'd like to ask the
community for some help here we're looking for this individual.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Well, you know the old saying is all you had
to wait twenty four hours.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
And no, that's what you see on TV a movie.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Absolutely not good to do.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
The moment that you know, folks contact us about someone
being missing, officers go to that scene, they do a
missing person's report, It goes to our Missing Persons unit.
At some point they'll contact the people that reported it
to find out what the characteristics were and what the circumstances,
and then after a little investigative work, they will decide whether,
(10:04):
you know, we really need to put.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
This out and find out who's missing.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
Now, a lot of times we have habitual runaways that
do it all the time, you know, and that's mostly
with teenagers and things like that, and been pretty successful
in finding them pretty quick. But we don't hesitate.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Now.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
A lot of times when we do put it out.
It's because medical reasons. They may be missing some type
of medication or you know, this is unusual behavior for
that as well as adult with maybe diminished capacity with
golden alerts for that. And there's a many different variables
that go into the missing person. But look, our whole
(10:43):
goal is again safety, and you know, we'll do whatever
we need to do and put it out the way
we need to put it out when we feel like
there's reason to do so.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
And we got a great unit that handles that. And
then the.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Officers on the street always have the ies peeled back
ready to serve this community in that capacity.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
I was just telling Dwight I was out and about
yesterday downtown. First time I got a chance to see
the new headquarters Sprill MPD, and it looks phenomenal. Does
it feel like home just yet?
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Oh? Man, it feels really great to have our home again.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
And I hear you got that nice office.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Oh it's beautiful. After forty one years, you are to
get something there.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
You go, well, hey, it's deserved, no doubt about that. Now,
what's the timeline as far as because to me, just
from the outside, it looks as if it's up and
running and it is, but it's a process to get
everybody that's going to be there there right.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
You know, when it comes down to economics as well.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
And right now, the fourth floor is where the executive
staff is, which includes my unit as well and a
few others, And we are occupying the building at this point,
and I believe in the next year or two our
homicide unit and some of our investigative units will be
getting there. Eventually about sixty percent of the police department
(11:53):
will be out of that building. And it's great, it's
coming along fine. You know, everybody has to have a home,
you know, like we talk sports on here a lot, yep,
And when you're home, you have you know, you're dean
on where you're going to be just like your own home.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Yeah, we're going to perform, yeah when we need that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Even with different departments, if you're all kind of working
together as one and a lot of you under the
same roof, it's just a big part of.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
The culture as well.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
It is, and you know, working together it is even
if you're not, if you're not daily doing things together
because of different departments, if you're all there together, that's
that's that's huge for culture.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
It is and communication that's the main thing in our
jobs because you know, although we may not see each
other all the time, but the communication, whether it's you know,
through social media, whether it's through telephones or whatever like that.
And there's a lot of ways to communicate with people,
but there's nothing like an up close and personal conversation
like you and I have good.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Stuff, all right. So I got to ask you.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
With Louisville and Cincinnati playing tonight for the first time
and some time, Louisll's never played a basketball opponent more
than they played Cincinnati, what Cincinnati Louisville matchup comes to
mind for you first?
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Over the years, because there have been many.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Of them, you know, I guess, because I guess my
first recollection of them were probably doing the late sixties,
early seventies, in the eighties because I'm old.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
But the years that we used to they used.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
To play in Riverfront Coliseum, which is now where they're.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Going, yes, but they're calling it something.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Now Heritage he Trust Center, I think.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
And I remember nineteen eighty six, eighty five, eighty six
a season that was the first year they had the
preseason n I T And of course that was our
championship season, and I went up there with my cousins
and we saw what Billy Thompson, Milt Wagner and that
group in purpose all was about. And we knew from
(13:41):
that that time up there that it was going to
be a great season. And I hope we see something
rebuilt just like that. Maybe it's day y'all buo, how
about that?
Speaker 1 (13:48):
I like that. I like that.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
My first what stands out my first early impression of
Cincinnati is I remember being scared of Kenyon Martin.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
I was good.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
He was good.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
That guy was really good.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
And then also the Russmill buzzer beater when they played
in the American Athletic COMPROMI yeah, I don't think they've
played since then. That was Louis was last year in
the league, and yeah, certainly it was last time they
played up there, so yeah, it's it feels like old times.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Well, and then they played Memphis a little later to it. Yes,
And now that one really gets me because this was
another time in nineteen eighty six, great time that we
u on the way to the championship. A Mill hitter
shot at the end. It put us over and it
was great.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
That'll be an awesome game coming up a little bit
later this season because they're gonna also retired Junior Bridgeman's number,
which which is going to bring a lot of folks
out that. I mean, I think a lot of Louisville
fans will be there in general, but just I think
it'll be a big day for the for the program.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Oh it will be because you know those days of
Baskerville Holmes, yep, all of them down in Memphis and
old Midmids South Coliseum I thinks is where they used
to play back in the day and used to have a.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Wrestling down there too. Oh yeah, all and all of
that back then. So it brings back a lot of them.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
I'm gonna call if Memphis fans show up, I'm calling
a Memphis state because I know it bothers them.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
They don't like that.
Speaker 5 (14:57):
Oh yeah, they get trigger about that. All right, good stuff,
Thanks dwhit. Let's get to a quick thanksgiving to two
you as well. Let's get to a quick time out.
Keep it locked right here. It's news Radio eight forty
whas it is seven thirty five here at news Radio
eight forty whas Coffee and Company with you. Appreciate you
hanging out with us here on this Friday morning. The
(15:18):
gloom has been annoying this week, and it doesn't look
like it's going anywhere, at least not.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Today, so be advised.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
We are just six days away from Thanksgiving. We'll talk
a little more about the Thanksgiving holiday next week, because
we did do the Thanksgiving etiquette rundown earlier. But there's
some other things like that that I find to be
interesting because it gives you a people know what they know,
they're in their own world, their own bubble. They've probably
I'm sure many of you have done the same thing
every single Thanksgiving for decades and it's just routine. But
(15:48):
I'm fascinated to just hear of other experiences, other traditions
that people have, and there's some surveys out there that
give you a little bit of I guess, a snapshot
of that. So we'll do that a little bit more
like next week as we get close to the holiday.
But again, we've been busy so far. We'll continue to
be busy. This morning, coming up at eight o'clock, will
be joined by Mayor Greenberg. We'll get his thoughts on
a lot of things. It will be our first chance
(16:09):
to chat with him since the tragic plane crash just
a couple of weeks ago, and there's a lot to
unpack there, but also something else I'll look forward to
chatting with him about as the legislative session that of
course is coming up. We now know things that he
is emphasizing prioritizing here as far as just making improvements
to the city of Louisville. So again, Mayor Greenberg gonna
join us coming up, I guess closer to eight oh five,
(16:31):
So we'll do that in about thirty minutes or so.
But back to the story that has of course been
a big talking point for the last few weeks and
probably we'll be moving forward, and that is the plane crash.
So we got an update yesterday from the NTSB that
gives us a more information.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
I guess.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I think I had such a low bar as far
as what details, what info we were going to get
that anytime we do get something, I find it to
be valuable as far as just helping us understand how this,
how this happened. And yesterday they released some photos that
that that show and they also provide a breakdown in
(17:10):
this in this in the in these pictures and just
the rundown of it that shows what clearly was a
factor in this in this plane crash come taking place
in general, So you had three different pictures that highlight, uh,
the the left engine and the pilons separating from the
wing during takeoff and then immediately catching fire. And then
of course we know what would happened from there. So
(17:33):
they also found multiple problems in the left pilon during
the investigation up to this point, fatigue cracks that develop
over time from repeated stress, cracked and failed aft mount lugs,
a fractured spherical bearing race, other signs of just over
stress failure on the overall and on the overall pileon there.
(17:55):
And again, if it sounds like it's foreign language to me,
it's because it is. I don't have any experience in
aviation or airplanes anything like that. I'm sure many of
you are in the same boat. But just knowing what
happened in the tragic situation overall, and you hear that
there there there's issues like this where cracks, over stressed failures,
And my first instinct is, how can you how can
(18:19):
you not notice.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
That and and and and know.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
What could happen? And I quickly tell myself, Hey, I'm
sure these types of things are there's there's clearly a
standard when you are looking in you know, when you're
when you're doing your inspection, and there's maintenance, there's processes
and procedures, and it wouldn't shock me if we find
out that, yes, uh, the threshold essentially was was was
not at a not at a not at a spot
(18:44):
that it would tell you automatically you have to pull
this plane and it can't be in use. So again
I'm not saying that for sure, but what we're all
going to learn a whole lot because of this tragic situation,
because you typically unless you're just interested in it or
maybe it has something to do with maybe I don't
know what you do for a living. A lot of
us haven't followed tb NTSB investigations before, and I'm like
(19:06):
many that are looking into it for the first time.
But I'm constantly trying to remind myself that things that
may jump out at me and be surprising and shocking
and seem almost as if, hey, this this is.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
A real big issue.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Somebody dropped the ball, somebody should be held accountable, somebody's responsible,
and at the end of the day. Clearly there's something
responsible for this, but I'm also reminding myself and I
encourage others to do the same thing, that just because
we see something and it sounds like a real big
issue doesn't necessarily mean that's the case. For example, the
plane itself being thirty four years old and it having
you know, almost one hundred thousand hours in the air,
(19:40):
that sounds bad and it doesn't seem like that's Nobody
would claim that this means this is a fresh, you know, young,
spry plane. However, it's not that uncommon for these, you know,
planes of this that have been around this long to
still be used the way this one was being used.
So again, we will get more throughout this investigation, But
as far as the actual investigation being closed, I mean,
(20:05):
I think most of these things last over a year,
and that's just how extensive the investigations are overall. Also,
something we found out yesterday is that the first officer
to lead Truet of Albuquerque he was the pilot flying
the aircraft at the time of that crash. So again
still it's still ongoing and the overall cause yet to
(20:25):
be determined, and that found report it's not coming anytime soon.
But again, I know I'm not the only one that'll
be keeping up with this every chance, anytime there's any
kind of an update, just because that's the type of
situation we're dealing with here, a tragic situation that'll be
remembered for a long, long time. All Right, let's get
to a quick update of trafficking weather. We'll talk a
(20:46):
little more about the big decisions yesterday that were made
by the new JCPS superintendent, doctor Brian Yearwood. I think
expecting there are to be no school closures with this
one hundred and eighty eight million dollar deficit, that's just
not reality. So we now know of a couple of
schools that are going to be closing, some that are
going to be consolidated, and we'll give you those details
(21:08):
on the other side. And well, let me back up.
That's the proposed plan. This still does have to go
in front of a board to be voted on in
early December. But at least what doctor Yearwood wants to
do in order to try to get this financial mess
cleaned up, we'll talk about that next right here at News.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Radio eight forty whas.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
So, it was a proposal that we got yesterday from
doctor Brian Eere with a new JCPS superintendent, and he
is proposing that a couple of schools closed, relocation of others,
and merging of a couple more schools. So this is
all to dig out of that one hundred and eighty
eight million dollar disaster that they're in. And I said
yesterday that you know, hey, I don't envy him, but
(21:47):
he knew what he signed up for. But he also
didn't really know what he signed up for. And he
said as much because he did state that he was
not aware. And I don't think he was trying to
be dramatic or create any kind of drama at all.
I think he was just asked a direct question, I
believe by WDRB after one of the one of the
board meetings that he, you know, he did not know
(22:07):
the extent of the financial issues and just how big
of a devisit they were in. Only he would know
if that would have kept him from taking the job
or not. And he would never answer that, and I
wouldn't expect him to. But this is this is a
this is a when you say the numbers out loud,
I mean, it almost just doesn't seem like you can't
make this up one hundred and eighty eight million dollars
in the hole is he's unheard of. And with that,
(22:28):
you're going to have to make some big decisions that
are going to trim this to you know, you got
to trim one hundred and thirty two million dollars, and
by doing that, first of all, easier said than done.
But there's going to be some decisions made that are
going to potent that could potentially sort of change how
the overall JCPS system looks. And I think what he
(22:51):
has proposed doesn't necessarily do that overall.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
But this is just part of the process here.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I mean, this alone isn't going to completely get them
in a situation where they've cleared enough money, but this
is the start of it. And I think each time
there's been any little bit of an update, anytime it's
been discussed by leaders like doctor Brian Yearwood, you could
start to see more of a indirect not confirmation, but
almost just insinuation that schools are likely going to close.
(23:21):
Nobody's ever come out and said that, and I think
initially they said they never wanted to do that, but
they're going to have to. We now know that, and
the proposal is to close down these two schools, Liberty
High School because they seed in the services that Liberty
High School offering is it's now redundant because it was
created as a credit recovery school. So this is where
you go to make up credits to get your to
(23:42):
get to get back on track and to get your
high school degree. Well, now, at all JCPS schools within
the district, you can you can all you can you
can do that. I mean, it exists district wide as
far as credit recovery. So that was a probably it
was probably a pretty easy.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
Decision to make.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
And then the other one is Zachary Taylor Elementary and
it's closing to low enrollment. Enrollment is below fifty percent
and the building is too costly to operate and students
will reapply for schools in the Ballard High School zone
that we're going to Zachary Taylor Elementary. So those are
the two closures now. Relocation is Waller Williams Environmental. It's
(24:16):
currently at thirty nine percent capacity. And also the cost
per student there is sky high compared to the average.
So yeah, the average cost at JCPS specialized schools. Again,
this is specialized schools the average cost is sixty two thousand,
and the average cost per student here at this school,
Waller Williams Environmental is one hundred and eleven thousand, so
again much higher than the average. And they're going to
(24:39):
move this to an existing facility that is in Fairdale
and it better fits the school size and needs. And
the consolidation is King Elementary and mop and Elementary will consolidate.
King is at seventy percent capacity with a cost per
student over ten thousand dollars above the average JCPS elementary average,
So mop And is it ffty three percent enrollment but
(25:01):
more cost efficient. So they're going to relocate these and
merge them both inside Moppin's building. So King and Mappin
will consolidate. And then they're moving Georgia Chaffee Tap that
is going to be moving to a facility at Mail
High School and the enrollment there sits at just twenty
one percent, so this is a this is the early
childhood center that they're moving to. So that's that students
(25:24):
in those schools are the ones that are going to
be directly impacted if in fact this does get approved.
And the next board meeting is going to be on
December the ninth, that's a Monday, and all all every
proposal here is going to require board approval at this meeting.
So doctor Earwood is going to talk later this morning
at ten thirty and he'll be asked I'm sure about
a lot of this, and we'll see what he has
(25:44):
to say. But I'm sure a lot of these decisions
along the way to get yourself out of this mess
going to be tough decisions, but it's got to be done.
And I think anything you can do, and again, easier
said than done. I'm certainly not someone that has the
the plan or the perfect fix, but there's gonna be
a lot of pushback if this ends up being something
(26:06):
taxpayers have to have to to help clean up, because
that's what it is. It's a mess that was created
in I don't know where the blame directly lies, because
there's been some finger pointing. There's been some he said,
she said, But there was one guy that was responsible
overall for JCPS that's no longer here, and it's hard
to not to direct a lot of the blame there
(26:27):
just because of the new people in place, doctor Earwood himself.
I mean, there's been some direct contradiction as far as
just doctor Marty Polio saying that there was a plan,
and you're what's saying, essentially, no, I don't think there was,
because here I am with a real big mess and
I got to create a plan to try to fix this,
and again, easier said than done. Let's get to a
quick time out. We'll check on traffic and weather. We've
(26:48):
also got another sports update coming your way, and Mayor
Greenberg gonna join us coming up as we get the
eight o'clock hour started, So stick around right here at
News Radio eight forty whas
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