Sara Anne Wood, the 12-Year-old Girl Who Went Missing in Central New York in 1993

Questions and Perspectives on Minneapolis: Shootings, Immigration Enforcement, and Protests

In the episode Steve Hauck discusses the latest shootings in Minneapolis and the role of federal agents and local police. Using the example of other crimes, like counterfeiting, Steve explains the role that the federal government plays in enforcement operations, and contrasts that with the responsibility of local police forces. He discusses the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, carefully acknowledging the fact that not all is known yet about the specific details in each case. Steve talks about the need for politicians to lower the temperature of immigration enforcement actions.

Recruitment and the 6:1 Solution

In this episode Steve Hauck explores the "defund the police schism" and the historical cases that adversely affect recruitment of police officers. There is no profession that has been analyzed and critiqued more than law enforcement," Steve says, "None." Agencies across the country - from the NYPD to the LAPD - have lowered educational, physical, age requirements, application fees, and personal standards in an effort to get more recruits.  A traditionalist, Steve quips that many agencies have joined the New York Yankees in their relaxation of facial hair policies. Steve takes a look at the history of policing and says that police have to enforce the laws of the day.  Sometimes those laws are more controversial.  He looks at the slave patrols of the 1700's, the implications of Vietnam, to more current cases. He looks at the belief that social workers and mental health professionals can replace police, and suggests a more cooperative solution.  He looks at CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) in Oregon, and an initiative in Central New York, as examples of attempts of where counselors tried to act unilaterally without the police.   With a heartfelt look at those suffering from mental illness, Steve addresses the vicious cycle of mental health crises.   He looks at potential solutions to enhance policing efforts around the country, with specific examples from Albany, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio.  With considerations such as diversity, time on the job, mentorship, retention, Steve takes an in-depth look at all things that affect recruitment and reform on the profession. Steve says, "With so much money spent in government now...We have the find the money to address the societal problems while keeping our police officers well-funded, well-trained." For every one dollar spent preventing a problem, he says, we save six dollars on a response. There is no simple answer, he says, and we must try to fund both.

Bulldog on a Surfboard

From his unique perspective on both sides of the podium, Steve Hauck takes an in-depth look at the relationship between the media and law enforcement. His analysis of the complicated relationship between law enforcement, the media, and the public includes mention of specific cases, crimes, and research.

Sara Anne Wood, the 12-Year-old Girl Who Went Missing in Central New York in 1993

Steve begins the inaugural episode of :Watching Your Six" with the case of Sara Anne Wood, who went for a bike ride and never came home.  Sara Anne, who went missing from her small town in Central New York on August 18, 1993, was just 12 years old at the time.  Her murderer confessed to killing her but, as of the original air date of this episode, has never said where her body is located.   Steve highlights other missing child cases believed to be linked to Sara Anne's.  Jimmy Bernardo was 12 when he was murdered.  His body was found on November 21, 1990.  16-Year-old Jamie Lusher was murdered on November 6, 1992.  Jamie's body was never located.   The abductions and murders were linked following the attempted abduction of 12-year-old Rebecca Savarece on January 7, 1994.  Rebecca was able to escape and provide police with a description of her would-be abductor.  He was arrested and charged with several murders, but has not reveled the locations of all of his victims' bodies.