Safe Communities

Public safety isn’t about slogans—it’s about real solutions that make our communities safer and stronger. Crime doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and if we want to reduce it, we need to address its root causes. That means investing in education, job training programs, mental health services, and addiction treatment centers. These proactive measures don’t just reduce crime—they give people the tools to build better lives.

Education is one of the most effective ways to prevent crime. When young people have access to quality schools, after-school programs, and mentorship opportunities, they’re far less likely to end up in the criminal justice system. Job training programs are equally important, giving people—especially those in underserved communities—the skills they need to secure good-paying jobs. Stable employment reduces desperation and helps prevent crime.

Mental health services and addiction treatment are critical as well. Too often, untreated mental illness or substance abuse leads to incarceration instead of care. Expanding access to treatment centers and crisis intervention programs will reduce crime while saving taxpayer dollars by keeping people out of jails and prisons.

At the same time, police reform is essential if we want law enforcement agencies to build trust with the communities they serve. Trust is the foundation of effective policing—when people feel safe calling the police and believe officers are there to protect them, everyone benefits. To rebuild that trust, we need accountability and transparency.

I support requiring body cameras for all officers to ensure interactions are documented and transparent. Body cameras protect both officers and civilians by providing an objective record of events. I also believe in expanding community policing initiatives where officers work closely with residents to build relationships based on mutual respect. When officers know the communities they serve—and when communities see officers as partners—it creates a safer environment for everyone.

De-escalation training is another critical reform. Officers need the tools to handle tense situations without resorting to unnecessary force. Training on conflict resolution, implicit bias, and mental health crisis intervention will help officers respond appropriately in a variety of situations.

Finally, we need independent oversight of law enforcement agencies to hold bad actors accountable. Most officers serve with integrity, but misconduct undermines trust in the entire system. Independent review boards can ensure incidents of excessive force or misconduct are investigated fairly.

Public safety isn’t just about reacting to crime—it’s about preventing it by addressing root causes and building trust between law enforcement and communities. By investing in education, job training, mental health services, addiction treatment, and police reform, we can create safer neighborhoods where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.