King County Council District No. 4

Public safety means that every member of a community is safe and feels safe. Public safety is enabled in particular by strong public health programs.

I’m deeply committed to promoting public safety in King County through a thoughtful and community-centered approach. I recognize the importance of a holistic approach to public safety that goes beyond traditional law enforcement measures. I believe in investing in preventative strategies, such as community-based programs, youth development initiatives, and mental health services, to address the underlying causes of crime and reduce recidivism.

I believe we need police reform and we need to prioritize transparency and accountability for law enforcement agencies. I support measures to strengthen law enforcement oversight, enhance training in de-escalation techniques, and promote unbiased policing practices. I understand the need to address systemic inequalities within the criminal legal system. I’m dedicated to implementing reforms that reduce racial disparities in policing, sentencing, and incarceration. I will work to eliminate discriminatory practices and promote fairness and equity at every level of the criminal legal system. My approach to this issue will be informed by my work as a member of the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing.

I also want to speak to gun safety. As the dad of school-aged children, it is unacceptable to me that the biggest threat to their lives is gun violence. I know we must do more at a county level. Lockdown drills have been a routine fixture of my children’s school lives and all three of my kids have been outspoken advocates for gun safety. My middle daughter in particular has led walk-outs, mobilized her peers, spoken to the media, and engaged legislators to secure mental health resources for our public schools and ban assault weapons.

I seek to bring my deep experience in partnering with immigrant communities to deepen and expand the circle of neighborhood change agents working to interrupt and prevent gun violence community by community. It is untenable that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and youth in our country, and also disproportionately impacts communities of color.

I recognize the importance of restorative justice approaches that prioritize rehabilitation, reintegration, and healing for both victims and offenders. I support programs that provide alternatives to incarceration, such as diversionary programs and community-based restorative justice initiatives. I am concerned that programs that are currently funded by the county and have been shown to be effective at reducing the incidence of criminal activity and recidivism are at risk of losing funding during tough budget periods (such as those facing the county in coming years). To give but one example, the county funds the TeamChild program, which is an effective intervention for youth. However, TeamChild is funded out of the general fund and I am concerned about this and other programs being at risk of losing funding or at least underfunded. I will fight to make sure these programs that actually prevent crime have support and can be expanded in the future.

King County Jail must close.

If elected, I would take the following concrete steps to reduce the jail's population over the first twelve months:

- Implement pretrial reform: Work with the criminal justice system stakeholders to promote evidence-based pretrial practices that prioritize alternatives to detention. This can include expanding pretrial services, such as risk assessment tools, pretrial supervision, and community-based support programs, to help ensure that individuals are not unnecessarily detained.

- Diversion programs: Advocate for and expand diversion programs that provide alternatives to incarceration for individuals with behavioral health issues, substance abuse disorders, and low-level non-violent offenses. Diversion programs can help address underlying issues while reducing the reliance on jails.

- Enhance reentry services: Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to strengthen reentry services that provide support to individuals returning from incarceration. These services can include job training, housing assistance, mental health counseling, and substance abuse treatment. By addressing the root causes of recidivism, we can reduce the likelihood of individuals returning to jail.

- Expand restorative justice programs: Promote restorative justice practices that focus on repairing harm and rehabilitating offenders rather than relying solely on punitive measures. Restorative justice programs can involve mediation, victim-offender dialogue, and community-based accountability processes, which can be more effective in reducing recidivism and promoting healing.

- Address racial and socioeconomic disparities: Work towards addressing the racial and socioeconomic disparities within the criminal legal system. This involves actively promoting equity in decision-making, addressing biases, and investing in programs that prevent individuals from entering the system in the first place.

- Collaborate with community organizations: Engage community organizations and grassroots initiatives to develop and implement innovative programs that provide support and resources to individuals at risk of incarceration. These partnerships can help identify and address the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior.

- Utilize data and research: Utilize data and research to inform policy decisions and measure the effectiveness of alternative programs. This will help identify areas for improvement and ensure that resources are directed towards evidence-based approaches.

It is essential that King County develop a set of sustainable, progressive revenue sources that will shift us away from fiscal austerity. Progressive revenue will allow us to ensure that workers who perform roles across county government receive a livable wage and can afford to live in the county.

I will work urgently with our state legislative partners to establish progressive revenue sources that are crucial for funding necessary investments in the future. I will be a strong advocate for equitable policies that address the needs of all residents.

I support lifting the current 1% levy lid that restricts the ability of the county to raise additional revenue but would also advocate for increasing exemptions for low-income individuals. At the same time, I would bring new urgency to the advocacy at the state level to authorize the county to use more progressive revenue options.

The county should consider strategic borrowing for capital projects or infrastructure investments while maintaining prudent debt management practices. This approach can help fund critical initiatives without overburdening the budget in the long term.

I would work with my fellow councilmembers to explore opportunities for public-private partnerships to generate revenue or provide services more efficiently. Options for partnership could involve working with private entities for infrastructure development, service delivery, or other mutually beneficial initiatives.

Additionally, I would focus on strategies to stimulate economic growth within the county, such as expanding childcare access, attracting businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, and fostering job creation. A thriving economy can generate additional tax revenue and reduce reliance on property taxes.

As a supplement to the above measures, I believe the council should continuously evaluate county operations to identify potential efficiencies and cost-saving measures. Options include streamlining processes, consolidating administrative functions, and leveraging technology to optimize resource allocation.