Smart Talk Friday: Attorney General Shapiro on police reforms, fracking, child abuse; Child abuse reports down during pandemic

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

A protester speaks with a U.S. Park Police officer standing guard with a line of police closing off the area around Lafayette Square near the White House, after protesters tried to topple a statue of Andrew Jackson in the park.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro appears on Friday’s Smart Talk to discuss several topics.

They include police reforms, fracking and funding for child abuse investigations.

Pennsylvania is one of many state and local governments to legislate new rules and laws for police departments to adhere to in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death while in Minneapolis police custody last month. Floyd’s death has resulted in nationwide protests and calls for racial justice and equality.

The Pennsylvania House and Senate have each passed separate bills that would require employment background checks on those looking to become a police office or join another department and also improve training.

Also, a two-year Grand Jury report found there were systematic failures on the part of Pennsylvania regulators — including the Department of Environmental Protection — to guard against negative health effects of fracking at natural gas drilling sites.

Finally, Attorney General Shapiro and the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association are asking Congress for $1.5 billion in anticipation of an increased number of child abuse investigations after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile Angela Liddle, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance is on Friday’s Smart Talk to discuss child abuse reports being down during the pandemic and the expected increase once the state re-opens or children go back to school this fall.

To report suspected child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.