WE NEED REAL CHANGE.
Keeping our communities safe
Ensuring public safety is one of the core responsibilities of our elected leaders. And in many circumstances, we work to keep our communities safe and be compassionate at the same time.
For example, if someone who is living on our street is suffering from substance abuse or mental health issues, and is a danger to themselves or others, we should – with a court order, adequate protections and a review process – mandate that they enter treatment for 90 days. That is certainly more humane than simply releasing them back onto the street, where many people die as a result.
Our public safety policies should be data-driven – and researchers have found that many times people resort to letting their loved ones go through the criminal justice system in order to obtain the psychiatric and substance abuse care that they need. We need to get straight to the point – and get people the care they need to start to turn their lives around – which would in turn free up precious resources so the police can continue focusing on going after career criminals, who, in many circumstances, are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.
Questions & Answers
What will you do to prevent home and business burglaries?
Prop 47 allows thieves to steal up to $950 with no consequences. Mass incarceration isn’t the answer, but we must hold people responsible for their actions. I voted for license plate recognition cameras and would also like to see more police patrolling neighborhoods.
For low risk offenders, we should explore jail alternatives like the Sheriff’s Work Program (SWP) instead of jail, which reduces employment difficulties and related financial burdens for both the individual and society.
Are you in favor of SROs in the school?
School Resource Officers can provide a sense of security for teachers and students, but they must be sensitive to student concerns, particularly regarding race and gender.
What are your thoughts on the movement to “defund the police”?
If anything, we need more police who are trained to handle the myriad societal problems we face: mental illness, drugs, homelessness, gangs, citizens armed with military weapons. But we cannot condone racial profiling, baseless “stop and search” procedures, unnecessary violence.
Do you support gun control?
Yes. Gun violence is a huge problem that can’t be ignored. I support background checks and a ban on military weapons.
Do you support holding people who are diagnosed with mental illness against their will?
Yes, under court order with adequate protections and review. Mandating treatment for 90 days is more humane than releasing deeply troubled people to live – and frequently die – on our streets.
Do you support supervised injection sites?
No. We need to help people end their addictions. I do support more treatment centers and needle exchange as a comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS.
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