Ensuring the Public Safety
Every citizen is entitled to feel safe and secure in their home and their neighborhood. Every child should feel the same way in their school. Crime ― on our streets and in our schools ― threatens not only our peace of mind but our physical well-being. Community policing and neighborhood involvement have long been shown to be an effective instruments for crime prevention. As a prosecutor, I have seen that some things ― popular in the press ― do not work.
The death penalty is not a deterrent and I vigorously oppose it.
Mandatory minimum sentences turn small mistakes into life times of criminal activity and I oppose them
Being tough on crime without addressing its causes only criminalizes a portion of our community. Too often the mentally ill and those trapped in substance addiction are left without proper support and treatment.
As your state senator, I would:
- Create more lockdown substance abuse treatment facilities
- Expand funding for drug, substance abuse and domestic violence education and prevention programs in the schools and community
- Build on the bullying legislation initiated by Jarrett Barrios
- Revamp the minimum sentencing guidelines
- Always support the Quinn bill and in-service training for police officers
- Increase funding for and ensure adequate federal funding for homeland security (particularly around our ports and facilities like LNG plant)