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Hear from Pulitzer Prize winning host Chris Haxel of the No Compromise podcast, Michael Sierra-Arévalo of the University of Texas, and LAist Studios Executive Producer and Norco 80 host Antonia Cereijido discuss the pervasiveness of gun culture and the militarization of the police force.  This audio is from a live virtual event that aired on May 20, 2021, presented by LAist Studios and KPCC. BetterHelp and Norco ‘80 listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/laist This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

LAist Studios Executive Producer and Norco 80 podcast host Antonia Cereijido takes an in-depth look at survivalism and preppers, past and present with special guests Paige Ferrari of National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers and Bradley Garrett, author of Bunker: Building for the End Times. This audio is from a live virtual event that aired on May 13, 2021, presented by LAist Studios and KPCC. BetterHelp and Norco ‘80 listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/laist This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In 2016, Rosa Brooks, a full-time law professor at Georgetown University, became a reserve police officer. Rosa had previously studied and written about the role of violence in society, but always from a perspective outside of law enforcement. Now, she's written a book about her years of service and the insight she gained about identity, militarization, and what police actually think.  This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Dr. Casey Kelly discusses survivalism's enduring allure, from pioneer days to prepper conventions. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

The Norco Bank Robbery happened over 40 years ago, but its legend continues influence how police officers are trained today. Thanks to one very popular VHS tape. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

George Smith speaks to us in his first-ever recorded interview, from a correctional facility in Corcoran, California. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

The “Norco 3” face the death penalty in one of the highest profile trials in Riverside County history. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

After the chase finally ends, a shell-shocked police force demands bigger, more powerful weapons. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

The robbers lead police on a winding chase that ends in a devastating standoff at the top of a mountain. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

George Smith didn't set out to rob a bank. He just wanted to survive the apocalypse. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

The bank robbers make it out of the Security Pacific Bank, cash in hand––but they’re immediately met by the police and a firefight begins.  Norco ‘80 is produced by LAist Studios in collaboration with Futuro Studios. *Editor’s note:For clarification, Deputy Sheriff Andrew Delgado-Monti carried both a revolver and a shotgun during the firefight outside the Security Pacific Bank, which was standard for the Riverside Sheriff’s Office at the time. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

May 9th, 1980 began as a regular Friday in sleepy Norco, a small town about 48 miles east of Los Angeles, known mostly for its horse trails and old-western look. But around 3:30pm, five masked men with assault rifles robbed the Security Pacific Bank downtown. Norco ‘80 is produced by LAist Studios in collaboration with Futuro Studios. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In 1980, a devastating bank robbery shocked Southern California. It was carried out by masked men determined to outlive the apocalypse. But the robbery would quickly spin out of control, providing a cautionary tale of an America in the midst of an economic recession and serve as a complex conversation about the role of police forces in our communities. This is the story of Norco ‘80, a new podcast from LAist Studios.