Build ongoing discussions with the public about how we want to be policed. We need to acknowledge there will be contradictory opinions. I believe community control requires a multi-layered approach that includes establishing face to face relationships and accountability between police and community members, public and policymaker discussion regarding the trends towards militarization of local police departments and the costs/benefits of applying for federal grants to pay for officers and initiatives, robust review of budgets and policies by the PSRC and Common Council, and frank discussions about the disparate experiences and treatment of people of color in the criminal justice system in Dane County. 

Expand the community care approach to violence prevention. We need a multi-pronged approach that includes early childhood development, motherhood wellness,  fatherhood peer support projects, mental and physical health, housing and food security, safety, employment, education, childcare, transportation and youth programming. 

Community Policing. Madison’s approach to community policing historically has been to add social work and community outreach functions to MPD. I would rather pay for a social worker or peer support specialist or youth community outreach worker directly to work in the community. I support training MPD to elevate best practices in these areas. I will look at upcoming studies of staffing patrol vs specialized officers (Community Policing Team, Neighborhood Officers, CORE, Gang Unit, Traffic Enforcement, and community support services focused on trust building and youth outreach). I support ensuring there are enough patrol officers available to respond to calls for service and allow officers the time to follow up before taking the next call.

Body worn cameras. Now that the Council has approved a pilot for the Northside district, I support gathering the data and seeing what we learn. I have outstanding questions about operating procedures, privacy concerns and the cost of storing public records, and how Neighborhood Officers will use them around young people.

Expand the city CARES program. The Community Alternative Response for Emergency Services (CARES) pilot to create a city wide program with 24/7 staffing of paramedics and mental health professionals to respond to behavioral health emergencies has been successful. This team deals with a broad range of non-criminal crises including mental health, suicide prevention, homelessness, intoxication, substance abuse and dispute resolution. The pilot has diverted people away from emergency rooms and jail.  

Expand restorative and transformative justice programs. These programs disrupt cycles of violence and build community capacity to problem solve. 

Support the Public Health department’s Roadmap to Reduce Violence that seeks to address gun violence, sexual violence, intimate-partner violence, self-harm and suicide. The Roadmap sees violence as a public health issue that has profound and cumulative negative impact on people’s health and well-being, education, employment and housing.

Budget Priorities: invest in youth mentoring, early childhood programs, employment, affordable housing, mental health services, and building community capacity.

Prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety over driver convenience and speed. We need to create and support programs like Vision Zero, a data driven strategy designed to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on roadways, bikeways and sidewalks and promote smarter and safer streets that serve all users. Traffic safety affects everyone. I believe the community wants more traffic enforcement but it is only one part of the solution to reckless driving.

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

During the Council-initiated review of police policies and procedures, I chaired an alder work group that recommended public oversight of the police and fire department budgets. One of the recommendations urged the Public Safety Review Commission fulfill its statutory functions and review annual budget for police and fire. The PSRC took this direction seriously. Their 2022 Budget Roadmap provides needed detail about the police department that will help improve community oversight.

As an alder, I supported the initiatives to create the Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) and the position of Independent Monitor (IM) that came out of the OIR/Ad Hoc Committee process. We need to track how the PCOB and IM function to ensure that they have resources needed and are meeting expectations.