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The headlines are filled with calls for attention when it comes to today’s youth, what they’re doing with their time and how the Police are supposed to handle it.
What do YOU know about Juvenile Crime Rates in today’s major metropolitan cities? How about the impact of the existing police elements, their overall goals and focuses?
There’s a LOT to discover inside this episode of The Black and Blue Voices Podcast as the hosts welcome former police officer, police chaplain and speaker Anthony C. Meyers to shares detailed perspective, experience and stories to help give everyone a well-rounded view of what’s going on in the world today – as well as to ask some very fair questions that beckon your answer.
Are you ready to provide YOUR perspectives? Are you ready to explore deep conversations that truly need to be had in today’s communities?
To find out, the play button must simply be pushed…
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The Detailed Shownotes for This Episode of Black and Blue Voices:
Looking for the detailed links, information and references used inside this episode? Read on below to find them all and remember to reach out to ask if there’s something else you’d like to see from this episode!
1. Juvenile Justice System & Reform
- Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (JJIE) – Reporting and resources on juvenile crime, reform efforts, and best practices.
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) – U.S. government agency supporting improvements in youth justice systems.
- Annie E. Casey Foundation: Juvenile Justice – Research and programs aimed at youth justice reform.
2. Community Policing & Public Safety
- National Initiative for Building Community Trust & Justice – Resources on building trust between police and the communities they serve.
- Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) – U.S. Department of Justice resource hub for community policing.
- What Is Community Policing? (National League of Cities) – Primer and resources.
3. Racial Disparity & Equity in Justice
- The Sentencing Project: Racial Disparity – Research and stats on racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
- NAACP Criminal Justice Resources – Advocacy and education on equity in policing and youth justice.
4. Youth Intervention & Prevention Programs
- Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) – Programs that provide mentorship, sports, and safe activities for youth in partnership with law enforcement.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America – Community-based youth mentoring.
5. Societal Factors & Community Development
- Brookings Institution: Place Matters – The Role of Neighborhoods in Shaping Child and Adult Outcomes – Research on how community environment impacts youth decisions.
- Urban Institute: Social Determinants of Health and Safety – How education, housing, and social support influence public safety.
6. Mental Health, Faith-Based Interventions & Redemption
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Resources for addressing mental health in justice-involved populations.
- Faith & Freedom Coalition – Role of faith-based organizations and mentoring in rehabilitation and justice reform.
7. Recent Events and Historical Context
- PBS: Ferguson in Perspective – Coverage and analysis of the Ferguson protests and their impact on policing.
- History of Policing in African American Communities (Equal Justice Initiative) – A look at the roots and evolution of modern policing and race.
- Emmett Till: The Story and Legacy – Historical context for references made in the episode.
8. Moving Forward: Dialogue, Accountability & Building Trust
- The Stand United Initiative (St. Louis) – Local organization fostering positive police-community relationships.
- Daryl Davis on Conversation Across Divides – A powerful TED talk on the power of conversation in bridging divides.
9. Additional Listening & Inspiration
- Code Switch (NPR) – Podcast exploring race, ethnicity, and culture.
- Policing Matters (Police1) – Conversations about policing challenges and solutions.
- TED: The Radical Power of Empathy (Jamil Zaki) – On how empathy fuels connection and meaningful social change.
Want more?
Connect, comment, or ask questions: Black and Blue Voices Website
Timestamps for This Episode of Black and Blue Voices:
00:00 Challenges in Juvenile Justice System
05:42 “Balancing Home Influence and Community”
11:51 Impact of Generational Community Disinvestment
18:29 Rebuilding Trust Through Accountability
25:46 Challenges in the Juvenile Justice System
28:08 Juvenile Justice System Resource Challenges
35:25 “Race, Accountability, and Juvenile Justice”
41:05 Addressing Bias and Influences Together
46:05 “Personal Experiences Shape Police Views”
48:43 “Rebuilding Trust Through Dialogue”
54:38 Policing Challenges and Collaborative Communication
01:01:27 Grace, Unity, Justice, and Redemption
01:07:40 “Ethics and Challenges in Policing”
01:13:47 “Highlighting Positivity in Communities”
01:20:05 “Breaking Barriers for Police Voices”
01:24:34 “Engage, Reflect, and Grow Together”
Questions Answered Inside This Episode of Black and Blue Voices:
- Juvenile Crime & Reform: The group discussed repeat offenses and the challenges around detaining juveniles. What are the pros and cons of detaining young offenders versus emphasizing rehabilitation and community programs?
- Community Perception: How does public trust (or lack thereof) in the justice system impact the effectiveness of both policing and community safety, according to the experiences shared by the speakers?
- Equal Application of Law: Chief Chris emphasized the importance of laws being applied “equally with equity.” What does this look like in practice, and what barriers exist to achieving it?
- Role of Social Media: The episode touches on how social media and news highlight negative stories and amplify fear. How do you think this shapes public opinion about policing and crime in your community?
- Systemic vs. Individual Responsibility: How do larger systemic issues (like generational disinvestment in certain neighborhoods) interact with personal responsibility when it comes to youth crime? Where should change start?
- Community Policing: Several speakers shared about the power of having officers truly embedded in the community. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of more “community-oriented” policing?
- Race and Law Enforcement: The episode challenges the narrative that all issues in policing are strictly racial. How do the speakers suggest we navigate conversations about race, policing, and justice more productively?
- Redemption and Forgiveness: What does real redemption look like for youth who have made serious mistakes? Should the justice system emphasize second chances, and where is the line drawn?
- The Power of Conversation: The speakers repeatedly argue that real dialogue—like the one on this podcast—is key to understanding. What steps could you or your community take to foster more of these conversations?
- Highlighting the Positive: The episode closes by calling for more recognition of the positive things happening in communities and police departments. Why do you think positive stories so rarely make headlines, and how could we change this?
Additional Actions:
- Leave your feedback or suggest future topics at blackandbluevoices.com/contact.
- Join the conversation by commenting on our YouTube channel (search for Black and Blue Voices).
==== Links to 10+ Years of Chief Chris’ WhatCopsWatch.Com:
Website: https://whatcopswatch.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast….
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VV1HL9….
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b46….
Facebook: / whatcopswatch
==== Links to Eric Alexander Online:
/— Be sure to visit Applied Combatives Group Online!
==== Connect with Mike Wilkerson (The STLPodFather)’s 20+ Years of Podcasting:
— Entire Career Library: https://www.2gtdatacore.com/
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Calls to the Audience Inside this Episode:
— We’ve started dropping the feelings from the discussions. Are YOU ready to interact with us and find solutions for the Black and Law Enforcement communities to change the way we live our lives? Tell us Your Perspective About This Episode Now!
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Tell us what you think and we’ll use your comments in a future ALL-FAN-INPUT Episode! Educating the public is what we’ve based all of our programming on and we’re eager to connect with others who are doing it! Know about another podcast , YouTuber or other media generator making a difference in the way of perspective when it comes to law enforcement? Tell us about them now and we’ll link to them and have them on a future episode of BlackandBlueVoices.Com!
The Guest Inside This Episode:
Anthony C. Meyers
With over 20 years of executive leadership experience, Anthony Meyers has dedicated his career to empowering leaders, strengthening organizations, and fostering transformative community engagement.
A visionary change agent, he helps leaders and teams align purpose with productivity, while bridging cultural divides to create lasting impact.
Anthony served as Vice President of Texas College, Assistant Director for the City of Fort Worth and, for over 11 years, Anthony played a pivotal role in developing the vision of Bishop T.D. Jakes and The Potter’s House Church of Dallas, a mission centered on restoring broken people. His leadership journey began in a different arena—as a deputy sheriff in North Carolina, where he learned the value of discipline, service, and resilience.
Currently, Anthony serves on the Senior Leadership Team at The Crossing Church, where he continues his work as a bridge builder—driving meaningful connections and community engagement throughout St. Louis.
Anthony holds a B.A. from Saint Augustine’s University and a Master’s from Jacksonville State University.
Website: https://www.anthonymeyers.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-meyers-92303811/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meyers1906/
The Hosts of this Program:
Chris DiGiuseppi
Chris DiGiuseppi is an award-winning and local bestselling author from his first novel, The Light Bringer and has been traditionally published five times. Chris has over 25 years in Law Enforcement at various levels up to and including Chief of Police. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University School of Police Staff Command. He is trained in various aspects of Law Enforcement and holds degrees in Human Resources and Business Administration. Chris lives with his wife and children in Missouri.
Chris has been podcasting via WhatCopsWatch.Com since 2014 and continues to share perspective, insight and more via BlackandBlueVoices.Com
Website: https://whatcopswatch.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast….
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VV1HL9….
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b46….
Facebook: / whatcopswatch
Brandon Bridges:
Brandon Bridges is a proud father, husband, and Marine Corps veteran with a passion for leadership and collaboration. Throughout his career, he has successfully guided diverse, cross-functional teams, using strong communication and project management principles to drive results. His experience working with well-known brands has given him a deep appreciation for teamwork, strategy, and adaptability – skills that translate seamlessly into his approach to podcasting.
Beyond his professional achievements, he is deeply committed to balancing family life with personal growth. Whether he’s spending quality time with his wife and children, diving into historical deep dives, or hitting the sand for a game of volleyball, he brings the same enthusiasm and dedication to everything he does. His podcast reflects this well-rounded perspective, offering insightful conversations and engaging discussions that resonate with listeners from all walks of life.
Eric Alexander:
Eric Alexander is a dedicated healthcare practitioner, patient advocate, and clinical researcher with a deep-rooted passion for community engagement. A resident of the greater St. Louis area since 1995, he brings decades of experience in both the medical field and personal safety training.
As the owner and operator of Applied Combatives Group in Maryland Heights, Eric equips civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement with the skills necessary to navigate and survive violent encounters. Coming from a family with military and law enforcement backgrounds, he has long been an advocate for responsible and competent policing, recognizing its power to foster positive change—especially within minority communities.
With a unique blend of expertise in violence dynamics, history, and human behavior, Eric is committed to bridging the gap between law enforcement and communities of color. His mission is not just professional — it’s personal.
Mike Wilkerson:
Mike Wilkerson Is the PodFather of St. Louis, and has been hosting, producing, concepting and enhancing podcasts since 2005. As a professional content creator, Mike has been making and documenting every mistake in the Podcasting industry so you won’t have to when you’re ready to begin. With thousands of of hours of business, marketing and life experience behind and in front of the mic and keyboard, he has created a vibrant and always-growing business tapestry via The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network.
As a perpetual student, Mike continues to foster interests in Crisis Negotiator Training, Firearms Instruction and helping people to find the next step in their career with an active interest in hunting light bulb moments.
— Entire Career Library: https://www.2gtdatacore.com/
— Mike Wilkerson on LinkedIn
— Mike Wilkerson on X
— Mike Wilkerson on Instagram
— 2GuysTalking on the Web
— 2GuysTalking on LinkedIn
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