Public Safety

Everyone should feel safe -- and be safe -- in their community, no matter where they live. The work first responders and police officers do in our community is important and we must continue to support them.

I supported legislation and funding to crack down on organized retail theft and help law enforcement recover stolen merchandise and protect local businesses. Through our state’s budget I supported funding a permanent Smash and Grab Enforcement Unit to fight retail theft and  investing $30 Million in the National Guard’s drug eradication efforts. We’re not doing enough to address rising gun violence and criminal gun activity, and I supported $156 Million for gun violence prevention programs and $25 Million for gun buyback programs. 

Before I was elected to the Assembly, I led major efforts to serve survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. I co-founded the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, an organization committed to providing access to treatment, transitional services and care for survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. I have continued to support these efforts in the Assembly by working to provide $20 million in statewide funding for Family Justice Centers to continue their life saving work serving victims and survivors.

I support needed reforms to address the destructive effects of systemic racism, and to restore justice and trust in our communities. I voted to pass a recent law to limit police officer use of deadly force and co-authored legislation to require police officers receive training on use-of-force and de-escalation techniques. I believe we must increase oversight and accountability of police officers, and increase punishment for the few who break the rules.