SAFE COMMUNITIES

Whether blue collar workers, immigrant small business owners, or bank tellers, people in all walks of life want the same things: Economic stability, good schools, neighborhood amenities, and safe streets. Some candidates and elected officials push a political agenda that will destabilize communities in our district, and make them more dangerous. For instance: Disbanding NYPD or significantly cutting its budget. I am focused on the needs of the people who live in District 15, not a political or personal agenda that won’t improve their lives.

• Instead of defunding the police, I’d like additional funding to train LEOs to recognize cognitive or mental health issues, and to diffuse a tense or potentially dangerous situation using appropriate techniques.

• I also want all to provide NYPD with training and resources to handle drug addiction, homelessness, mental health issues, rising crime and other public safety challenges in District 15 neighborhoods.

• LEOs should also be outfitted with real-time body cameras to live stream encounters. In cases where they believe an intellectual or mental health issue is involved, a mental health expert can remotely view the unfolding scene and relay instructions to the officers.

• I would also like to see police officers supplied with, and trained to use, a wider range of non-lethal weapons than Tasers, batons and pepper spray so that there are always several effective alternatives to deadly force.