The Mercury’s News Team has decided to unearth a great old column—On My Soapbox, where Portlanders get to sound off about the city’s hottest topics. Except now it’s in convenient PODCAST form!

Up first is Joanne Zuhl, managing editor of Street Roots newspaper. Zuhl’s got a smart op-ed about Portland Patrol Inc, the private security firm that patrols downtown at the behest of the Portland Business Alliance, and works hand in hand with the official police—but without any meaningful oversight.

Mercury reporter Matt Davis follows up with a short Q&A with both Zuhl and Street Roots’ director Israel Bayer.

It’s especially apropos, given today’s cancellation of a PPI—PBA—Police meeting.

Check it out here!