A desire to help and treat people how they want to be treated drew Officer Chuck McPhilamy to law enforcement 10 years ago. Now serving as PIO with the Marietta Police Department, he was instrumental in starting the Public Safety Ambassador program – one of the first in Georgia. With 20% to 30% vacancies in law enforcement jobs, the ambassador program brings needed help in the community for situations that don’t require a uniformed police officer.   

Mike Lutzenkirchen carries out his son’s legacy through the Lutzie 43 Foundation by working every day to keep our roads safer by partnering with Georgia DOT to bring Safe Driving Summits to students across the state. While GDOT can engineer safety, human behavior is key to safe driving and the 43 Key Seconds initiative provides simple ways every driver can make a difference.

Bringing the professionalism he gained in the military, Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens was determined that his department would not be the “same old sheriff’s office.” He discusses how a well-trained, educated and diverse workforce reflects the community they serve. Additionally, he explains how mental healthcare remains a top priority and led to Cobb County becoming the first Sheriff’s office with 24-hour mental healthcare.

Believing that “failure is never final,” Sheriff Keybo Taylor brought new ideas when he took office in Gwinnett County. Listening to community concerns allows the sheriff’s office to make purposeful changes and increase community outreach where it’s needed most. Lt. Jenaro Hare joined Sheriff Taylor and Daniel Matalon to discuss some of the upcoming outreach events.

Daniel explains some of the details of the bonding process and discusses A 2nd Chance's commitment to the communities it serves. The trusted family-owned business has been part of the business community for 17 years by providing professional, reliable customer service.

Reconnect helps communities with monitoring solutions for those in the justice system by leveraging technology that builds connections and empowers relationships. Advanced monitoring technologies allow defendants and those coming out of incarceration to rejoin their families and start rebuilding their lives while still being under supervision. 

Victims of human trafficking, a sizable problem in Georgia, don't always identify themselves as victims. From human trafficking in the sex industry to migrant worker exploitation, building rapport with victims is key. Proper law enforcement training along with public awareness are helping victims come forward. 

Believing you should have a mission bigger than yourself, Lance LoRusso has devoted much of his legal career to standing up for first responders. He has represented more than 180 first responders in critical cases and founded the Cobb County Public Safety Foundation along with his wife. Lance discusses challenges law enforcement officers face in the field that can easily be misunderstood in the media.

Generosity and acts of kindness were important to Officer Mitchell Georgiana and Gotcha Covered Blankets honors that spirit following his untimely passing. Donna Georgiana explains the history of Gotcha Covered Blankets and the work it is doing to provide comfort one blanket at a time as well as its mission to bring awareness to the mental health challenges facing law enforcement officers.  Captain Michael shares some of the unique circumstances officers face and the mental toll it takes.

The Sex and human trafficking industry in metro Atlanta has grown to nearly $300 million annually and suburban counties are not immune. Scott Williford discusses problems such as mental health, addiction and homelessness that are contributing factors in trapping people in this cycle. Hear how The Table offers hope and choices to victims of exploitation.

Defense Attorney Thomas Flugum discusses his deep roots in the community and his belief in giving people a second chance. Many factors such as population changes and technology, including monitoring defendants, has brought many changes to the justice system in Atlanta. Thomas explains why there’s no standard way to handle a case.

Captain Darin Hull with the Cobb Police Department heads the Reall Time Crime Center where technology is a first line in fighting crime. He discusses how technology is a big part of the future of policing. Learn more about the “guardrails” in place to use safety technology in an ethical and constitutional manner.

Special Agent in Charge Anita Ivy discusses the GBI Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit and the work it is doing across the state. Tackling the $32 Billion human trafficking industry in Georgia involves law enforcement, prosecutors and community member cooperation. Learn how the public can recognize and help end this crime affecting Atlanta and the entire state.

Jeff Wood and Zachary Hiatt join their fellow Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission member and Back Your Blue co-host, Daniel Matalon to discuss how the group works to promote safer neighborhoods. Discussions include the how and why for the commission and the numerous safety ordinances and initiatives the group oversees. Hear about the high-priority special programs aimed at youth that are creating results.

Officer David Buchanan, Public Information Officer for the Kennesaw Police Department joins Back Your Blue to talk about essential community engagement for his community. “Unity in the Community” is a theme taken seriously in Kennesaw where officers give back to the community they serve with numerous charitable and public awareness events.

Kim Hill and Barbie Brown stress the importance of community support while sharing heart-felt stories about police officers, their families and the initiatives supported by Blue Thanksgiving, Inc. As co-founder of the group supporting local law enforcement, Hill shares the history of the group and news about important upcoming events and a new initiative supporting mental health for law enforcement.

The weekly radio show, Back Your Blue, highlights special initiatives, criminal justice programs and community events aimed at keeping our communities safer.  Join A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds CEO Daniel Matalon and host Tug Cowart to learn some good news about and from the law enforcement and justice communities. This week will be highlights from interviews with District Attorney of the Cobb Judicial Circuit, Flynn Broady, Criminal Defense Attorney Lawrence Zimmerman and Cobb Public Information Officer, Sgt Jeremy Blake

Flynn Broady became District Attorney of the Cobb Judicial Circuit on Jan. 1, 2021 with a vow to hold violent criminals accountable while restoring nonviolent offenders to productive lives. DA Broady believes wider community engagement, including expanded access to accountability courts and more visible victim advocacy, are essential to that effort. He discusses programs and initiatives that are keeping residents safer including efforts to curb elder fraud and the Reach Program.

Having earned a stellar reputation from decades of successfully representing clients, Lawrence Zimmerman is recognized by clients, peers, and media as an expert in criminal defense matters. He is a trusted news analyst for major news programs including local broadcast news as well as national news publications and programs. He shares thoughts on the partnership between defense attorneys and other players in the criminal justice system as well as some interesting stories from the trenches!

Cobb Public Information Officer, Sgt Jeremy Blake, is a 14-year veteran of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and cofounder of the agency’s Drone Program. He joins Back Your Blue to discuss community engagement efforts and why and how his department makes it a priority. He also discusses the sheriff office’s recently obtained CALEA accreditation and other positive law enforcement happenings in Cobb County.