Public safety is a top priority. Everyone in our city should feel safe and secure in their homes, businesses and public spaces. I will work towards community-based solutions for public safety, including supporting collaboration between residents, organizations, crisis intervention teams and law enforcement agencies to create a safer Jamestown for our families.

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Examples of Community-based Public Safety:

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• Community Policing: Community-based solutions often revolve around the concept of community policing. This approach fosters positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Police officers work closely with residents to identify and address local safety concerns. This collaboration helps build trust, improve communication and promote mutual respect between law enforcement and community members.

• Neighborhood Watch Programs: Jamestown has a strong tradition with Neighborhood Watch programs. City Council needs to continue to foster and support these programs. 

• Restorative Justice: Restorative justice programs focus on repairing harm caused by criminal actions through dialogue and reconciliation between offenders, victims and the community. Instead of punitive measures, restorative justice seeks to understand the underlying causes of criminal behavior and address them while promoting healing and reintegration into the community.

• ​Youth Engagement and Mentorship: Many community-based solutions target at-risk youth by providing mentorship programs, afterschool activities and positive role models. These initiatives aim to divert young individuals from a path of crime by offering them opportunities for personal growth and skill development.

• Social Services and Support: Addressing the root causes of crime often requires providing access to social services such as mental health care, addiction treatment, housing assistance and job training. These services can help individuals address underlying issues that may lead to criminal behavior.

• Conflict Resolution Programs: Community-based conflict resolution programs teach residents effective ways to resolve disputes and conflicts peacefully. These programs equip individuals with communication skills and strategies to de-escalate potentially volatile situations, reducing the need for police intervention.

• Community Empowerment and Capacity Building: Empowering communities to make decisions about their safety and well-being is a fundamental aspect of community-based solutions. Residents are encouraged to participate in local governance, advocate for policy changes and take ownership of their neighborhoods.

• Data-Driven Approaches: Community-based solutions often leverage data to identify crime trends, hotspots and areas of concern. This information allows communities and law enforcement agencies to allocate resources more effectively and target interventions where they are needed most.

• Crisis Intervention Teams: Specialized crisis intervention teams, often composed of mental health professionals and trained officers, respond to situations involving individuals in mental health crises. These teams aim to de-escalate situations and provide appropriate care rather than resorting to force.