Talk of the Town with Jon Adams: Sheriff Mark Empting on Protests, Policing, and Public Trust (02/04/26)

In a time of heightened tensions, viral videos, and loud opinions, how do we separate fact from fear?

On this episode of Talk of the Town, Jon Adams sits down with Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation about law enforcement, protests, ICE, and the reality of policing in Fargo-Moorhead compared to major metro areas like Minneapolis–St. Paul.

Sheriff Empting breaks down how interagency cooperation really works, why community policing matters more than ever, and what the public often gets wrong about officer training, accountability, and the so-called “thin blue line.” They also tackle immigration enforcement, peaceful protest

 
In a time of heightened tensions, viral videos, and loud opinions, how do we separate fact from fear? On this episode of Talk of the Town, Jon Adams sits down with Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation about law enforcement, protests, ICE, and the reality of policing in Fargo-Moorhead compared to major metro areas like Minneapolis–St. Paul. Sheriff Empting breaks down how interagency cooperation really works, why community policing matters more than ever, and what the public often gets wrong about officer training, accountability, and the so-called “thin blue line.” They also tackle immigration enforcement, peaceful protest

In a time of heightened tensions, viral videos, and loud opinions, how do we separate fact from fear?

On this episode of Talk of the Town, Jon Adams sits down with Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation about law enforcement, protests, ICE, and the reality of policing in Fargo-Moorhead compared to major metro areas like Minneapolis–St. Paul.

Sheriff Empting breaks down how interagency cooperation really works, why community policing matters more than ever, and what the public often gets wrong about officer training, accountability, and the so-called “thin blue line.” They also tackle immigration enforcement, peaceful protest versus confrontation, the impact of social media narratives, and why respect—on both sides—can be the difference between safety and tragedy.

This is not a soundbite conversation. It’s a grounded, human discussion about public safety, trust, and what it actually means to serve a community.

Whether you’re frustrated, curious, or just looking for clarity beyond the headlines, this is a conversation worth hearing.

 

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