I recently discovered that some of the most crime-ridden and dangerous cities in America are not the ones you might expect, like, Detroit, Chicago or New York. Many are small to midsize communities such as Memphis, Tennessee, Lubbock, Texas, Stockton, California and Grand Junction, Colorado.
So, I hopped in my car and drove to Grand Junction to find a diner to record a podcast about small-town crime. My first choice was--you'll love this--the OUTLAW CAFE!! Unfortunately, they didn't want anything to do with me. I finally ended up at Randy's Southside Diner on Highway 50.
Turns out one of the server's working at Randy's was born into a criminal family and has a healthy rap sheet of her own but found rehab and has completely turned her life around. You'll hear her story of recovery as well as her insight into how a nice community can turn into a crime zone.
One of the regulars at Randy's happens to be a criminal investigator for Mesa County (Grand Junction is the county seat) and shares her experience working with those arrested and jailed with a litany of charges to guarantee a conviction. Investigator, Jillian Ketchum, talks public defenders, gaining the trust of a criminal and how the justice system rigged in favor of the prosecution--even more so in a small town.
Here is the info on Randy's Southside Diner:
www.randyssouthsidediner.com