Virtual Racism, Riots, and Murders: Dayton in the 1960s & 70s

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Dig deeper into Dayton's history of strained race relations, court ordered school desegregation, oppression, fear, and white flight with retired Dayton Police Lieutenant, Dan Baker.  Baker worked as a beat cop and detective in the 1960s and 70s during some of the most turbulent times in Dayton's History when casual and rampant racism frayed race relations to the breaking point. Like many cities, Dayton exploded with riots on the West Side that seriously damaged businesses in the already impoverished area. One thousand Ohio National Guard were called to help restore order, and many white business owners never returned. Dan's career gave him an intimate look at racism, riots, police responses, and racially motivated murders. One of his cases involved a white supremacist serial killer who targeted Black men on the West Side over four summers. With his wife, Gwen Nalls, Baker wrote Blood in the Streets, a True Crime story based on actual events in Dayton from 1965-75. Dan's knowledge and experience give him unique insight on the history of racism and policing in Dayton that is still relevant today.