RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY
REDUCING CRIME AND RESTORING TRUST IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM DEMANDS URGENT, BOLD ACTION.
 

Denver residents, it’s time for a change in our public safety system. It’s time for a reimagining of the way we approach safety and security in our city. The current system has failed to keep our communities safe and has caused a breakdown in trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.  This is not a sustainable situation for our community.  But with the right leadership and bold action, we can create a public safety system that truly serves and protects all our residents.

For me, public safety means more than just protecting people from physical harm. It means creating a social environment that allows everyone to live and thrive, with the protection and support of their social, physical, mental, and economic well-being. It means giving people the freedom to be who they are, without fear of discrimination or violence.

Truly safe communities require more than just a strong police presence. It requires a system that prioritizes the well-being of all residents and builds trust through transparency, accountability, and community engagement. We believe that we can build a society that is both safe and just if we work together and stay committed to our shared values.  My three uncles, who were police officers, demonstrated to me that an effective police force enjoys the support of the community it serves and that is enhanced by having officers who look like and reflect their community.

That’s why I am committed to reforming and improving our public safety system so that it serves the needs of all Denver residents. Whether it’s through partnerships with regional, state, and federal agencies, or through innovative programs and initiatives that empower communities, I have a comprehensive plan to create a public safety system that truly makes Denver a safer place for everyone. I will strongly advocate for and work toward:
Intentionally recruiting a more diverse police force with more women and people of color:

Recruiting new cadets from our local high schools;
Supporting and enhancing the STAR program to provide more non-armed response options;
I was continuing my work as the co-chair of the community committee that recommended the creation of the Office of Independent Monitor by continuing to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of the office.
A recent Denver Task Force, brought together a coalition of over 40 different community organizations, including elected officials, faith leaders, and youth, and developed 112 recommendations that aim to redefine what public safety means and how we can achieve it in our community. As a civil rights attorney and community advocate, I am committed to making this change a reality.
Don’t miss this opportunity to vote for the change that our city needs. Together, we can create a safer, more just, and more equitable Denver for all.

Denver Task Force Recommendations

1. Empower the community with resources to adequately address socioeconomic needs and provide for their own public safety.
2. Minimize unnecessary interaction of law enforcement and the criminal legal system with the community
3. Support successful community reentry of formerly incarcerated people and remove systemic barriers to reintegration.
4. Heal the community from harm created by policing and the criminal legal system.
5. Expand the role of the community in establishing meaningful independent oversight, improving accountability, training law enforcement, and creating public safety policy.

To read the entire report and gain much greater detail on each of the recommendations see http://www.denvertaskforce.org/uploads/1/2/5/5/125541169/reimagining__public_safety__recommendations_.pdf