AirTalk brings you the latest on reinforcing the Metro code of conduct after a video of an LAPD sergeant forcefully removing a teenage girl from a train went viral. We also debate the benefits and drawbacks of universal basic income as Stockton, Calif. moves forward with a project to give select residents $500 monthly; how could an Arizona case change California death penalty laws?; and more.
Etiquette enforcement on Metro flares up in LAPD incident
A video posted to Facebook on Monday showed an LAPD officer removing a woman from a Metro train for propping her foot on a seat, an incident which has sparked debate regarding the recent crackdown on ridership etiquette.
Though complaints regarding poor behavior on Metro trains and buses have been rampant for some time, many viewers of the video consider the sergeant's tactics excessive, including Metro CEO Phil Washington. A statement from Washington regarding his disappointment over the incident was released today: “Our riders deserve better. We want the Metro system to be a safe environment for everyone. I expect more from our law enforcement partners. This incident is still under investigation, but I want to be clear: this is not the kind of policing I want on our system.”
On the other hand, Deputy Chief Bob Green, who oversees Metro operations for the LAPD, stated: “All that gal had to do was comply and this would be a non-event, because that same thing goes on hundreds of times every day throughout our system with our officers trying to restore order and people who ride that train are begging for order on the system.”
What do you think regarding policing the LA’s metro? Is a heavy-handed approach a good one considering how frequently code-of-conduct violations are said to occur? Or was the officer’s removal of the woman from the train an unfitting punishment? Call us at 866.893.5722.
Guests:
Pauletta Tonilas, Chief Communications Officer for Metro
Meghan McCarty, KPCC Transportation Reporter
Steve Scauzillo, reporter for the Southern California News Group covering transportation; he recently wrote a feature on Metro's code-of-conduct for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune: “Crackdowns begin on seat-hoggers, loud talkers and manspreading on buses and trains”
As Stockton launches universal basic income project, we discuss benefits and drawbacks
Amidst rising housing costs and wage stagnation, two years out from recovering from its bankruptcy, the California city of Stockton is experimenting with an idea that has long been debated by academia, but has rarely been tested on the ground: universal basic income.
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs is launching the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED), the first municipal level project that will give a few dozen families in the city $500 per month for a year. The idea is to provide economic stimulus and eliminate poverty.
Proponents of universal basic income come from all over the political spectrum. Some thinkers argue that it should replace the welfare system and that the resulting safety net would incentivize more entrepreneurship.
But critics point to issues of efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the possibility that guaranteed income would dis-incentivize people from working.
What will we learn from the SEED project in Stockton? What are the benefits and drawbacks of a universal basic income?
Guests:
David Neumark, professor of Economics and director of the Economic Self-Sufficiency Policy Research Institute at UC Irvine
Jerry Nickelsburg, director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast and professor of economics
Debating a new bill to change eyewitness lineup standards
A new California Senate bill has been proposed to change standards for eyewitness lineups, aiming to make a dent in wrongful convictions.
The bill, introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-Marin County), would implement procedures such as “blind administration,” or lineups managed by officers who aren’t aware of the suspect’s identity, and having officers take witness statements on how confident they feel about identifying a suspect. These standards are already in place in some California counties including San Francisco and Santa Clara.
State Sen. Scott Wiener joins Larry Mantle today to debate the bill along with Eric Siddall, Vice President, Association of Deputy District Attorneys (LA County DDAs).
Guests:
Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), state senator representing California District 11; he introduced Senate Bill 923
Eric Siddall, Vice President of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (LA County DDAs)
How an Arizona case could change California death penalty laws
California is facing possible changes to its death penalty laws.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, an Arizona case is putting the topic on the Supreme Court’s table, though the court has not moved to take it. According to Arizona law, nearly every first-degree murderer can potentially receive capital punishment charges. But the lawsuit in question is challenging that.
The suit brings accusations of state violations for 1970s-era Supreme Court rulings which restrict the death penalty to categories of extreme killers. Lawyers for convicted double murderer Abel Hidalgo have brought the case before the court on Hidalgo’s behalf.
California’s death penalty laws are similarly broad. A prosecution-backed initiative in 1978 removed narrower capital punishment limits. And the death penalty later could be applied to unintentional murders and accomplices of other crimes who accidentally killed someone.
The Arizona case has been on the Supreme Court’s conference agenda six times already, and it’s unclear why a decision has not been made on whether to move forward with the case. But if Arizona’s death penalty laws are overturned, a big question will be posed to California voters.
Larry Mantle speaks to a panel of experts following the case to find out how it could impact the Golden State.
Guests:
Bob Egelko, legal affairs reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle; he wrote the recent article, “California’s death penalty law may hinge on outcome of Arizona case”; he tweets at
Laurie L. Levenson, former federal prosecutor and a professor of law at Loyola Law School
Rags-to-riches: The life of billionaire Vegas kingpin Kirk Kerkorian
By the time of his death in 2015, Kirk Kerkorian owned almost every major hotel and casino in Las Vegas.
But his life started at the bottom in what is still a largely unknown story to the world. An immigrant family, an eighth grade education, an amateur boxing career — Kerkorian knew what it meant to be penniless. Still, he had knack for making sharp and daring deals, and took every risk that eventually led him to become one of America’s most wealthiest self-made billionaires, friends with the likes of Howard Hughes, Ted Turner, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra and more.
Kerkorian’s life is now meticulously detailed for the first time by veteran investigative reporter and storyteller William C. Rempel in his new book, “The Gambler.”
Larry speaks with Rempel about his collection of sources that includes war records, court documents, business records and interviews with those closest to the business tycoon, including Kerkorian’s widow Una Davis.
William Rempel will be discussing his new book, “The Gambler,” tomorrow, January 25, at the Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena. The event starts at 7pm.
Guest:
William C. Rempel, veteran investigative reporter and a former editor at the Los Angeles Times; his latest book is “The Gambler: How Penniless Dropout Kirk Kerkorian Became the Greatest Deal Maker in Capitalist History” (HarperCollins, 2018)