Public safety is about more than just policing—it’s about creating conditions where all Louisianans can thrive. True safety comes from investing in people, neighborhoods, and systems that address the root causes of crime, while also equipping law enforcement to perform their essential duties effectively and ethically. My priorities, if elected, will focus on reducing crime by addressing public safety through multiple policy jurisdictions, including education, economic opportunity, and community revitalization.
1. Supporting Law Enforcement with Fair Pay, Better Training, and Focused Responsibilities
- Fair Compensation: Police officers put their lives on the line every day, and their pay should reflect the risks they and their families endure. I will fight to increase officer salaries and benefits to ensure we attract and retain high-quality professionals in law enforcement.
- Enhanced Training: I will advocate for increased funding to provide comprehensive training that ensures our officers are the best trained and prepared in the world – no matter what the situation calls for. Police officers should be equipped with the tools to protect and serve all members of the community effectively.
- Right People, Right Situations: We ask too much of police officers by expecting them to handle every aspect of public safety. I will push for the integration of specialized first responder teams that include mental health professionals, social workers, and substance abuse specialists to ensure the right personnel are responding to the right situations.
2. Reducing Recidivism Through Opportunity and Support
- Aggressive Reverse-Recidivism Plan: Returning individuals must have the tools to reintegrate successfully into society. I will champion programs that provide skills training in modern, high-demand fields like digital literacy, coding, and entrepreneurship. These skills allow individuals to work for themselves, bypassing the employment discrimination that often comes with a criminal record.
- Support Networks: Expand access to housing assistance, mental health services, and mentorship programs for returning citizens to ensure they have a stable foundation upon reentry.
3. Investing in Education as Crime Prevention
- Front-End Investments: Education is the single most effective tool for reducing crime. I will fight to ensure all children in Louisiana have access to quality education, from early childhood through high school. This includes integrating digital skills, financial literacy, and vocational training into the curriculum to prepare students for the workforce.
- After-School and Summer Programs: Provide funding for after-school and summer programs that keep young people engaged, reduce idle time, and offer constructive outlets for their energy and creativity.
4. Revitalizing Communities and Addressing Blight
- Beautification and Community Improvement: The appearance of a community has a direct impact on public safety. I will lead efforts to fund beautification projects like improving lighting, building sidewalks, planting trees, and creating safe public spaces.
- Addressing Blight: Work with local governments to develop fair and equitable strategies for addressing blighted properties. This includes creating programs to help residents repair or redevelop abandoned properties, turning liabilities into community assets.
- Economic Development: Pair beautification efforts with incentives for small businesses to invest in underserved neighborhoods, creating jobs and fostering economic activity that uplifts entire communities.
5. Holistic Approaches to Public Safety
- Mental Health and Addiction Services: Expand access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment to address the root causes of many crimes. I will work to integrate these services into community health centers and ensure they are accessible to all.
- Environmental Improvements: Advocate for clean air, clean water, and safe housing as essential components of public safety. Environmental hazards often disproportionately affect underserved communities, contributing to stress and health issues that can exacerbate crime rates.
6. Accountability and Trust
- Community-Oriented Policing: Build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve by encouraging officers to live in the neighborhoods they patrol and fostering regular community engagement.
- Independent Oversight: Support the creation of independent oversight boards to investigate police misconduct and ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
I recognize that public safety isn’t the job of one system or one group — it’s the result of a holistic approach that prioritizes education, opportunity, community investment, and fair, effective law enforcement. By addressing the root causes of crime and creating conditions for success, we can build safer communities and a stronger Louisiana for everyone.