Issue Position: Safety & Justice for all

Issue Position

All Georgians deserve to be safe and secure in our communities. When the system only works for some, it's not equality and justice for all. Georgia must implement comprehensive reform measures to address systematic inequalities in the judicial process, law enforcement, and end the schools-to-prison pipeline.

This past session, I sponsored a law that would require the release of audio and video recordings from law enforcement body cameras. This is just one of the many bills needed to ensure the public is being protected, such as accountability for District Attorneys, accountability for law enforcement agencies, and the repeal of antiquated statues, like "Stand Your Ground". There are many other reform measures -- from ending chokeholds to enforcing interventions for excessive force and de-escalation procedures -- that have been proposed but have not gotten any traction in our Republican majority.

Having a well- trained, well- funded police force to keep the peace and protect our citizenry is absolutely necessary. All these reform measures speak to the core of combating the very real disparities that exist in the administration of criminal justice in Georgia. I support the necessary investment of public funding to our judicial and law enforcement officers who give tirelessly to protect and serve all Georgians.

I also support allocating more resources to social services that protect and promote healthy communities, thus reducing the over reliance of law enforcement. I will continue to advocate against budget cuts to the Department of Child and Family Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, as well as unemployment training programs and safe housing for the homeless.

We need to take a hard look at the systemic inequities that underlie many institutions in our society, including our healthcare system and our education system, that have led to disproportionate harm in our communities of color. We cannot rest until we achieve our vision of equality and justice for all under the law.

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