Qualified Immunity

The doctrine of qualified immunity has too often shielded law enforcement officers from the consequences of actions that violate citizens’ constitutional rights. This legal protection undermines public trust and accountability, and it is time for it to end. We must ensure that those who are sworn to protect us are also accountable to us.

I also support the establishment of community review boards in all jurisdictions. These boards should have the authority to review incidents involving law enforcement officers, particularly those that result in the use of force. Community review boards are crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability, allowing community members a direct role in overseeing the actions of law enforcement agencies and fostering a more cooperative relationship between the police and the communities they serve.

Furthermore, we need a comprehensive overhaul of how consequences are handled for law enforcement officials at the federal, state, and local levels. It is essential that all officers are held to the highest standards of conduct. This means creating clearer, more stringent guidelines for use of force, requiring more thorough training on these policies, and enforcing strict penalties for violations. We must also prioritize de-escalation techniques and mental health interventions, reducing the reliance on force as a primary response.

My commitment is to work tirelessly in Congress to push for these changes, advocating for legislation that ensures law enforcement operates with integrity, respect for human rights, and accountability.

Prior Weed Convictions

In my support for the federal legalization of marijuana, a crucial component of my position is the commitment to address and rectify the injustices inflicted upon individuals incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses that would be deemed legal under this new legislation. The impact of these convictions extends far beyond time served, affecting individuals’ opportunities for employment, education, and housing long after their release.

Therefore, alongside the push for legalization, I advocate for the immediate release of all individuals currently incarcerated for marijuana offenses that would not be crimes under the proposed legal framework. Additionally, it is imperative to implement a comprehensive expungement program for those previously convicted and punished for these now-legal acts. This effort is not only about correcting a legal inconsistency; it’s about restoring dignity, opportunity, and justice to countless lives adversely affected by outdated and unjust policies.

Supporting Law Enforcement’s Role

Let’s acknowledge the current overextension of law enforcement responsibilities. Right now, we expect law enforcement officials to be social workers, psychologists, paramedics, and family mediators. As far as I’m aware, no law enforcement agency in Louisiana has trained its personnel to handle that array of issues. That’s why I advocate for a refocusing of their role, focusing on their strengths and training.

By advocating for policies that empower other community services to address issues like mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse, we can reduce the undue burden on our local police forces, enabling them to better concentrate on responding to crime effectively and safely.

For more on my position on policing reform, click here.

Prioritizing Victims

I support policies that prioritize the victims of crime first and foremost, ensuring they receive the support, resources, and justice they deserve. We advocate for streamlined access to victim services, comprehensive rights for victims to be heard and involved in the justice process, and enhanced restitution mechanisms. I’m committed to a system where victims’ needs are front and center, balancing restorative justice with the necessity of accountability and appropriate punitive measures.

Beautification As A Crime Fighter

Investing in the beautification of underserved communities is more than an aesthetic choice—it’s a strategy to enhance quality of life, foster community pride, and reduce crime.

Such efforts not only enhance the physical appearance of an area but also foster a sense of pride and ownership among residents. This heightened community spirit can lead to increased vigilance among those who live in the neighborhood, who are more likely to report crimes and cooperate with law enforcement, creating informal social control mechanisms that deter potential offenders. Additionally, beautification and environmental design can incorporate natural surveillance strategies, such as improved lighting and clear sightlines, making it harder for criminal activities to go unnoticed. These strategies not only make spaces safer but also more inviting, increasing foot traffic and community activity, which further discourages criminal behavior.

Through thoughtful beautification efforts, our district can create environments where crime is less likely to flourish, supporting broader local goals of crime reduction and community well-being.

Restorative Justice & Accountability

While embracing elements of restorative justice, I believe that accountability, including proportional punishment, is essential for a functioning justice system. I believe in an approach that includes programs that facilitate offender rehabilitation and victim-offender mediation, aimed at repairing harm while recognizing the importance of maintaining public safety and ensuring justice.

Domestic Extremism

The biggest threat to our democracy is probably the one from within right now. The internal threat posed by antidemocratic forces, exemplified by the rise of right-wing extremism, is viewed as the foremost challenge to American democracy and national security. To counter this, I believe in strengthening our democratic institutions, enhancing civic education, and ensuring that law enforcement is equipped to combat domestic terrorism effectively.

A holistic approach is essential, one that addresses the root causes, such as social polarization and misinformation, while safeguarding the constitutional rights and freedoms that underpin American society.

Jobs Reduce Crime

It’s not a bumper sticker (though it makes a good one). It’s true. Most – if not all – crime is committed by desperate people. People who feel like they have nothing to lose. And in many cases, if we’re honest, we can understand why they might feel that way. People with good jobs, a nice home, a family – things to lose – rarely commit crimes. People with something to lose typically act like it. Let’s prioritize creating employment opportunities for the most marginalized communities – including the previously-incarcerated – so they have something to lose.

Let’s expand employment opportunities for young people so they have something to lose. That means federal funding for youth employment, skill development in fields with high demand and low entry barriers, and targeted support for the formerly incarcerated, creating pathways away from crime through empowerment, engagement, and economic opportunity. This kind of comprehensive policy is designed to combat crime at its roots by providing meaningful employment opportunities to the most marginalized, including young people and the previously incarcerated. Recognizing that desperation often leads to criminal activity, this initiative seeks to stabilize communities through federal funding for youth employment, skill development in high-demand sectors with low entry barriers, and targeted reintegration support for those exiting the criminal justice system.

By creating a framework for empowerment, engagement, and economic opportunity, the initiative aims to transform lives and reduce crime, offering individuals not just jobs, but a stake in their communities and reasons to pursue a lawful, productive path. This multi-phase strategy underscores the belief that secure employment is key to building safer, more prosperous communities.