4. Justice, Civil Rights, and Community Safety
CORE PROMISE:
Across the United States, our justice system struggles under the weight of racial disparities, inconsistent standards, political interference, and public mistrust. The system treats people differently depending on race, income, disability status, and ZIP code — violating the principle of equal justice under the law.
Police accountability varies wildly between jurisdictions. Use-of-force incidents go unreported or uninvestigated. Civil-rights abuses are under-prosecuted. Hate crimes rise while federal enforcement lags. Sentencing disparities persist, disproportionately harming Black and Brown communities. Disability discrimination is rampant in policing, incarceration, education, and employment systems.
Federal funding to law enforcement has little transparency attached to it, meaning departments can receive millions without proving community engagement, accountability, or equitable practices. Meanwhile, many communities — especially those in Prince George’s County — report feeling over-policed for revenue (speed cameras, red-light cameras) while under-protected when crimes occur.
In MD-05, both urban and rural frustrations are real:
PG County residents feel targeted by automated enforcement systems they see as predatory.
Southern Maryland residents feel ignored, with emergency response stretched thin.
Immigrant communities fear profiling and unequal treatment.
Disability communities face inaccessible processes and mistreatment during crisis encounters.
Without community-oriented policing, transparency, and strong civil-rights protections, public safety breaks down — and trust collapses.
HOW I’LL WORK TO FIX IT:
Tie federal law-enforcement funding to real accountability and transparent reporting — no transparency, no blank checks
Set national baseline standards for use-of-force, training, and misconduct tracking
Invest in proven violence-prevention and youth programs alongside smart policing focused on early intervention, mentorship and community-based solutions.
Reduce court backlogs and reform sentencing while protecting public safety
Enforce civil rights and voting rights with strong federal oversight, include faster investigations, stronger penalties and whistleblower protections
Curb predatory “revenue policing” incentives, including automated camera enforcement, by using federal grant conditions to ensure enforcement is about safety, not generating revenue
Expand victim services, crisis response, and mental-health intervention partnerships
MD-05 FOCUS POINT:
I will expand federal support for youth programs & violence prevention
I will rebuild trust between law enforcement and residents through fairness and transparency
