In 1-2 sentences, explain why you are running for Mayor and what motivated you to seek this position.
I’m running for Mayor because we urgently need to restore leadership to city hall and make Baltimore work for all residents. Together, I believe we can finally build a Baltimore where the people of this city can enjoy safety in their communities, uninterrupted access to essential services, and an education system that truly prepares our children for success.
In 1-2 sentences, describe how your background and/or previous experience has prepared you to serve as Mayor
I’ve dedicated my life to improving this city, and I know firsthand that improving the lives of city residents requires action, accountability, and excellence in execution from our leaders. I understand exactly what it takes to bring government, business, non-profits, and the community together to develop solutions to our toughest issues - and that’s exactly what I’ll do as mayor.
What are your top 3 priorities or key goals if elected as Mayor?
If elected, my top priorities will be enhancing public safety with a focus on tackling juvenile and quality of life crime, revitalizing city services to ensure they are efficient and reliable for all residents, and reforming our education system so every child is prepared for success.
What do you see as the most pressing issue facing Baltimore residents right now?
Public safety is my top priority. Baltimore residents tell me, loud and clear, that they don’t feel safe. Car thefts, carjackings, and juvenile crime have left people, especially seniors, feeling scared and powerless in their own neighborhood.
During my administration, we brought crime to a 20 year low while also reducing arrests. As Mayor, I will take on a data-driven approach to target violent offenders by leveraging tools like the Gun Offender Registry, which we launched in my term, as well as revitalizing the use of tools like CompStat and CityStat. Addressing quality of life crimes is a key priority for me. I will be a true partner to the States Attorney’s Office in utilizing the citation docket to identify offenders, hold them accountable, and provide them with services - without resorting to locking everyone up.
My administration also brought an end to zero-tolerance policing and pioneered an approach that prioritized community policing. We worked to rebuild trust between the police and the community because I understood that trust is essential to safeguarding public safety. I believe that we need to get back to getting officers out of their cars again and out into the community, talking to residents. We can also continue to build that trust by creating faith-based community partnerships, reinstituting the Community Partnership Division, and ensuring a proactive Internal Affairs Division.
What else would you like voters to know? Feel free to share any other perspectives or details about your background, priorities and vision.
Every day I see firsthand how it’s letting Baltimoreans down when they come to me daily for help on water bills, on illegal dumping, on heating problems in senior housing - and a host of other issues with essential services the city has failed to address. I see how car thefts, carjackings, and juvenile crime are affecting the quality of life of our residents. I see that our young people are more involved than ever with violence both as victims of violent crime, and as the cause of pain and suffering in their neighborhoods.
It's time for a change in Baltimore. The challenges can seem daunting, but they are not insurmountable. I know what it takes to hire great people, retain them, and hold them accountable. I know what it takes to bring diverse sets of stakeholders to the table to address our most pressing issues. I know what it takes to deliver quality services that residents can count on. Together, we can finally make Baltimore work - and with your support, that’s what I’ll do as Mayor.
Comments