Real Life Real Crime: True Crime Time For September 1, 2025

Episode: Labor Day Reflections: Memories, Violence, and Community Safety

Hosts: Woody Overton & Cyndi Overton
Date: September 1, 2025

Episode Overview

Woody and Cyndi Overton dedicate this Labor Day episode to reflecting on both fond personal memories from their youth and the grimmer realities of crime spikes that accompany Labor Day weekend in America. Woody draws from his experience in law enforcement, providing firsthand insight into the typical rise in violence, especially gun crime, during long holiday weekends. The episode serves as both a cautionary tale and a call for awareness, combining true crime reporting with advice for safer community living.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Childhood Labor Day Memories

• Woody recounts Labor Day as a child:
  • Memories include participating in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) marathon dance for the Jerry Lewis telethon, where children danced for sponsorships benefitting charity (01:45).
  • Fond recollections of fashion (“parachute pants to Jabot jeans”) and family dove hunting trips—juxtaposing innocent festivities with the present realities (02:52).
  • Quote:

    "My daddy would put me in the middle of the field behind our house with an unlimited amount shotgun shells… shoot all the doves that flew over." - Woody (03:35)

2. The Reality of Labor Day for Law Enforcement

• Woody’s Law Enforcement Perspective:

  • Labor Day is problematic because the “holiday weekend” stretches from Friday to Monday, with festivities often devolving into violence and chaos by the end (04:34).

  • Key factors: alcohol, family disputes, and high temperatures contribute to rising tensions.

  • Quote:

    "By Monday, it's just a shitshow. People are out of money and dope and whatever and the, the guns are out… and people die." - Woody (05:14)

3. National Gun Violence: 2024 Labor Day Weekend Data

• Staggering Statistics:

  • From Friday, August 30 to Monday, September 2, 2024:

    • 403 shootings in the US
    • 141 deaths
    • 357 wounded (06:57)

  • Most notable: Tragic events occurred during parades, fairs, football games — spaces meant for community gathering (07:38).

  • Quote:

    "Parades, fairs and football games should be safe places for our families. But the reality of our country's unique gun violence crisis makes that impossible." – Quoting Angela Pharrell Zabala, Moms Demand Action (07:38)

  • Gun violence is described as the #1 killer of children, sparking advocacy and voter movements (07:52).

4. Specific Holiday Incidents Across the Country

• Major Crimes Highlighted (08:57–14:50):

  • Police Shooting in Dallas: Targeted attack, officer killed, two wounded.

  • Mass Shooting in Alabama: Three killed at a gas station.

  • San Francisco: NFL draft pick shot in attempted robbery.

  • State Fairs: Multiple shootings, including teens wounded or killed.

  • Chicago Blue Line: Four killed on train, random attack (12:27).

  • New York Parade: Shooting into crowds at West Indian American Day parade (13:31).

  • Family Tragedy in St. Louis: Four-year-old shot by another child when no adults were present (14:04).

  • High School Games: Multiple shootings after games across NJ, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan.

  • Quote:

    "Daddy's not done…" – Woody, emphasizing the overwhelming number of tragedies (13:56)

5. Gun Violence and Schools

• Returning to School Under Threat:

  • 31% increase in school shootings between 2023-2024 (17:29).

  • Statistics: 125 people killed by guns daily in the US, with twice as many wounded (18:19).

  • Quote:

    "Even if it's 1 million or 1 every day—much, I agree. Every day 125 people in the United States are killed with guns." – Woody & Cyndi (18:19)

6. Local Focus: Louisiana and Mississippi

• New Orleans Violence:

  • Multiple shootings, six women shot, one killed as they were leaving an area (19:39).

  • Second incident: Couple shot sitting in their car.

  • Pastor Christina Ford of Silence The Violence Foundation shared poignant losses—both her sons killed in separate shootings (20:59).

  • Quote:

    "Like they think it's the new normal, but it's not. It's not okay. We need to come alive. We need to bring home hope back. We need to come together." - Christina Ford (21:32)

• Jackson, MS Initiatives:

  • The city launched “Nights with No Violence” initiative involving students, community groups, and events aimed at keeping youth safer over Labor Day (22:24).

  • Mayor John Horn:

    "Too many young men and women are at risk and too many families are dealing with the aftermath and fallout of senseless violence." (22:53)

  • Woody remains skeptical about the impact:

    "At least the people that are there won't be shooting each other, but it's not going to stop people from shooting each other." (23:34)

7. Common Labor Day Crimes and Contributing Factors

• Types of Crimes (25:23):

  • DUI / DWI (almost 40% of traffic deaths during Labor Day are alcohol-related)
  • Domestic violence
  • Assault and disorderly conduct
  • Theft (including job site equipment, car break-ins, and burglaries)
  • Cybercrime and package theft (porch piracy)

• Contributors to Spikes:

  • More time off means more social gatherings (and more unattended homes)

  • Heavy alcohol consumption

  • Increased travel, crowded public spaces

  • Holiday stress can escalate conflicts

  • Quote:

    "With more people having time off though, there are more social gatherings but also more opportunities for crime as both homes and workplaces are left under tenant." – Woody (26:52)

8. Practical Safety and Community Awareness

• Advice and Listener Story (29:24):

  • Cyndi shares a listener’s story about being followed at Target and the importance of situational awareness and readiness to call 911 (29:24).

  • Both hosts emphasize: Don’t hesitate to involve law enforcement; their job is to investigate suspicious behavior.

  • Importance of arming youth with knowledge and tools for safety.

  • Quote:

    "Be aware, not afraid... Call 911. That's their job." - Woody (30:12)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "I used to dance my ass off... I was a dancing king." – Woody (03:53)
• “By Monday, it’s just a shitshow... and people die.” – Woody (05:14)
• “Parades, fairs and football games should be safe places for our families. But the reality... makes that impossible.” – Angela Pharrell Zabala (07:38)
• “Daddy’s not done…” – Woody (13:56)
• “Like they think it’s the new normal, but it’s not. It’s not okay. We need to come alive.” – Christina Ford (21:32)
• “Be aware, not afraid... Call 911. That's their job.” – Woody (30:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:20 | Labor Day introductions and childhood memories | | 04:34 | Law enforcement realities on Labor Day | | 06:57 | National Labor Day weekend crime statistics | | 08:57 | Rundown of major violent incidents (DWI, shootings, robberies, etc.)| | 13:31 | Gun violence at parades and state fairs | | 17:29 | Gun Violence stats & back-to-school worries | | 19:39 | New Orleans holiday shootings; Pastor Ford’s testimony | | 22:24 | Jackson, MS: “No Violence” initiative | | 25:23 | Most common Labor Day crimes and reasons | | 29:24 | Listener story about situational awareness at Target | | 30:12 | Safety advice: “Be aware, not afraid… Call 911” |

Overall Tone & Final Thoughts

Woody and Cyndi interweave candid humor, nostalgia, and unflinching honesty as they navigate the somber realities of increased violence during holiday weekends. The episode is marked by Woody’s trademark storytelling, real-world statistics, and a focus on both community heartbreak and hope. The message is clear: enjoy your holidays, but stay vigilant, look out for one another, and never be shy about engaging law enforcement.

Hashtags & Cases Mentioned:
#JusticeForBradley #JusticeForAO #JusticeForBarbaraBlunt #JusticeForHaley