Phoenix Jones: Seattle politics bad for good guys

The problem with Seattle law enforcement comes down to politics, Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz on Monday.

The self-proclaimed superhero – real name Ben Fodor – said the Seattle Police Department does a good job of responding to crime and taking reports. The problem, however, is they don’t seem to be enthusiastic about the job.

“The difference is that I care about the people I run into who are hurt,” Fodor told Rantz.

Though there is self-gratification and he’s a bit of an “egomaniac,” Fodor said he just wants to help people. The police don’t have the same compulsion to help, he said.

If police aren’t enthusiastic about their job, why work for the department in the first place, Rantz asked.

People join the police force for good reasons, Fodor responded. But they get worn out over time.

“After years of bureaucracy and garbage and not getting anything solved … [enthusiasm] just drops a little,” he said.

Similar things happen in mixed martial arts fighting. Someone strives to be the best fighter, but the people headlining turn out to be those who sell tickets, Fodor said.

“There’s politics in everything,” he said. “There just shouldn’t be politics in policing, but there is.”

Fodor will be fighting in the World Series of Fighting April 10 against Emmanuel Walo.