I believe that everyone deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhood—whether you're walking your dog, visiting a local park, or simply enjoying time with family. As a former middle school teacher and youth leader, I’ve had countless conversations with children and teenagers about ‘stranger danger’ and how to stay safe in specific situations. 

Every child, senior and family should feel secure in the places we gather, play, and live. It’s hard to focus on building a better future when you’re worried about safety or the condition of your own streets.

Here’s my approach:

• Supporting Local Law Enforcement: I will work to propose legislation that provides our police with the resources they need, such as funding for advanced training in de-escalation tactics, crisis intervention, and community engagement. This can include:
  • Body Camera Expansion Grants: Body-worn cameras reduce the use of force by officers and complaints from the public by as much as 93%. Making sure all officers are equipped with body cameras to increase transparency and accountability.
  • Mental Health Support for Officers: Law enforcement officers are at a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to the general population, with recent data indicating that they are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.  I will advocate for statewide programs to provide mental health resources and wellness checks for our officers. These men and women face daily challenges, and we must ensure they’re supported, mentally and physically, so they can continue to protect us effectively.
  • Funds for Drones: Drones can respond to incidents up to 3.5 times faster than traditional police units. They’re also cost effective - less than 2% of the cost of a helicopter per hour.  I will push for legislation that creates a safety fund for local police departments to invest in new technology, like drones or smart surveillance, to help monitor high-risk areas while maintaining community privacy standards.

• Empowering Neighborhood Watch Programs: Neighborhood Watch is one of the most cost-effective forms of crime prevention. Community involvement is key. Surveys show that over 80% of participants in Neighborhood Watch programs feel more connected to their neighbors, leading to a stronger collective commitment to preventing crime. ​ I’ll champion the expansion of neighborhood watch programs and create opportunities for residents to engage directly with local authorities, because safety works best when we’re all in it together.

• Community Beautification Projects: Leading Litter Quitters has shown me how powerful it is when neighbors take pride in their surroundings.Studies show that cleaner neighborhoods experience up to a 30% reduction in crime. This is based on the "broken windows theory," which suggests that maintaining environments prevents vandalism and encourages respect for public spaces. Also, communities that engage in clean-up and greening initiatives report a 5-15% increase in property values due to improved curb appeal. By developing citizen-led programs that empower citizens to clean up and beautify public spaces, we foster both pride and safety in our neighborhoods.

• Infrastructure for Safer Neighborhoods: Communities that invest in safer road designs, such as better crosswalks, bike lanes, and traffic calming measures, experience a 15-40% decrease in traffic accidents. Areas that undergo infrastructure upgrades experience a 10-20% increase in local business revenues due to increased foot traffic and a more vibrant community atmosphere. From installing stop signs  to adding bike lanes and sidewalks, I’ll advocate for infrastructure improvements that make our public spaces safer, promote healthy living, and help our local businesses. . 

Clean, safe communities aren’t just a campaign promise; they’re a shared vision for a better, more beautiful world. Together, we can make our neighborhoods places where families and businesses thrive and dreams flourish.