Davis in 250 Words (Part 7)

Each Friday we have a chance to see, in 250 words, how all nine candidates line up. Here's my week seven answer.

Various councilmembers have voiced support publicly for Black lives.  However, data from the Davis Police Department shows that the Davis Police disproportionately stop Black people in particular.  If elected to council, how would you address racial profiling or disproportionate policing?

I appreciate that councilmembers have voiced their support for the Black Lives Matter Movement. However, as with the Minneapolis City Council, we need to be asking, is this performative? Do these people place themselves at the forefront of public events to perform their alliance, but fail to use their power to affect actual change? Do they continue to approve the purchase of militarized equipment for the Davis Police? Does their privilege mean they are so far removed from the problems that they don’t feel the urgency?
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When asked what I will bring to the council, my answer is action. I don’t show up for the photo op. I show up to find out what is needed, so we can begin implementation. I will create a department of public safety and allocate jobs that can be done by civilians to civilians to reduce the interactions of all citizens with police. I will create a Commission for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity that will be composed solely of underrepresented individuals and push for minority overrepresentation on all commissions because when we exclude voices, we don’t end up with the best solutions. I am listening, learning, and ready to push forward.

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