Community Safety

I recognize crime and safety is a quality-of-life issues for our community. That’s why community safety is my highest priority. The judiciary has a significant responsibility and opportunity to get to the root problems, understand the challenges people face, and provide direction while holding people accountable. I value the opportunity to have meaningful interactions with people who come before the court. Through these interactions, I work hard to facilitate positive change in people that empowers them to get on track to a productive path.

Incarceration is an effective tool to remove threats from society. People who are a direct threat to others and to community safety need to be incarcerated. However, not everyone that comes before the court or every situation presents a direct threat. Incarceration is expensive for taxpayers and where appropriate, community options, such as treatment for addiction and mental health issues and drug and alcohol monitoring, need to be explored before imposing jail time. Connecting an individual to needed resources that use evidence-based interventions provides better outcomes that result in community safety in the long term.